Coventry Town Council President Lima suspends public comment for meeting

COVENTRY, R.I. (WLNE) — It was a heated tense atmosphere in the chambers of the town council in Coventry Tuesday night, as leaders met to discuss zoning districts, tax exemptions and liquor licenses.

However, the real talk of the meeting had nothing to do with the agenda at all, and that’s lead to a surprising tabled vote for the next meeting.

Public comment was limited to only the “docketed items,” drawing ire from community members about whether the move properly allows freedom of speech, or follows the town charter.

At the beginning of the meeting, the council voted 6-nil to suspend the town rules for a comment, and criticized President Hillary Lima for the suspension of public comment, saying the council itself was shocked by the move.

Councilwoman Alisa Capaldi called President Lima’s limiting of comment, quote, “unconstitutional.”

The move, and ongoing discussions regarding Johnson’s Pond led to this call to action.

Councilman’s Houle’s motion passed unanimously.

The town council will meet to vote on the removal of the solicitor and President Lima at the next council meeting, set for October 14th.

All of this comes as a legal battle over ownership of Johnson’s Pond continues, and ahead of the first community workshop for the Johnson’s Pond redevelopment project set for 6 p.m. Thursday at Coventry High School.