Councilwoman Hillary Lima Running for Reelection

Coventry Councilwoman Hillary Lima announced today that she is running for a second term representing District 4. Lima is currently serving out the remainder of an unexpired term she was elected to in a special election.

“I’m proud of the strides I’ve been able to make in just the year I’ve been on the Council, but Coventry is still far from the community I know it can be,” said Lima. “Much of my time in my freshmen term on the Council has been spent rebuilding public trust and transparency in our government and ensuring that our baseline level of services are executed well and to the standard that our residents deserve.”

Lima has leaned into her role completely to tackle many of the perennial issues that have been plaguing the Town of Coventry.

As a member of the Sewer Subcommittee, Lima has worked closely with District 3 Councilmember Jamie LeBlanc on sewer ordinance reform to ensure protections for residents against historically expensive sewer assessments. She has also worked with Senator Lou Raptakis and Representative Pat Serpa to pass legislation at the State level to codify two pieces of related legislation. One law states that paving costs after sewer installation must be paid for by the town and not residents, with the other providing an option to taxpayers to pay their assessments over 30 years instead of 20 to drive down the cost of monthly payments. Lima also fought to amplify the taxpayer voice and inject transparency in the removal of District 4 Coventry sewer projects from the DEM priority list after the projects were submitted to the state without Town Council approvals and resident feedback last Fall. Furthermore, Lima recently approved moving forward with an entire revamp of the Town’s wastewater infrastructure plan with an emphasis on taxpayer input.

Lima has helped push forward critical audits, strategic planning, and fiscal responsibility in the Town that have long been called for by residents. In just the last year, Lima approved funding and ensured execution of a performance audit to see that tax dollars and resources are being spent appropriately and efficiently in the town and school department. Lima also endorsed and participated in drafting a strategic plan for the Town to look ahead five, 10 and 15 years into Coventry’s future - something that has not been done in decades. Additionally, Lima approved funding of a new Comprehensive Plan, required by state law, with the most recent version dating as far back as the year 2000.

In her brief time on the Council, Lima is best known for her responsiveness to constituents and unwavering commitment to public input and operational transparency.

“I answer to and serve one group: Coventry residents,” said Lima. “Addressing constituent calls and emails and getting their feedback is priority number one. I never forget who I am accountable to.”

Other notable accomplishments in Lima’s first year in office include: restarting the Parks & Recreation Commission; legalization of recreational fires; leading a community food drive; Earth Day clean ups at Trestle Park; fierce stewardship of town property maintenance; testifying at the State House in support of legislation to protect the future of Johnson’s Pond; and approval of funding for the restoration of the Trestle Bridge over Route 117.

Lima is a lector and parishioner of Our Lady of Czestochowa Church and serves as Vice President of the Rhode Island College Alumni Association Board of Directors. She and her husband are homeowners in the Quidnick neighborhood of District 4.

To learn more about Councilwoman Hillary Lima, visit www.hillaryforcoventry.com.