Coventry Town Council Suspends Town Manager

COVENTRY, RI — In a 4-1 decision, the Coventry Town Council on Tuesday voted to suspend Town Manager Benjamin Marchant with pay.

Councilors who voted to suspend Marchant accused him of showing a "pattern of negligence" that has hurt the "efficiency and effectiveness" of the town's administration. Several councilors said Marchant failed to direct and supervise the town's administration, submit timely financial reports and ensure the town charter was followed appropriately.

"It is abundantly clear this council must take action not only to protect our town, but to immediately begin the process of rebuilding it," Councilor Jonathan Pascua said. "We can not let this continue for one second more. We are going to hold people accountable for their actions or lack thereof."

"Make no mistake about it, he has made a career’s worth of errors," Pascua added. "When a team is failing, you replace the coach."

Marchant defended himself against councilors' accusations, saying he inherited many of the problems he's been blamed for.

"While none of the issues tonight brought up are new, this is the first time they've brought to my attention as a concern of the council as a whole," Marchant said. "I recognized a great opportunity where I felt I could help this community and solve some real big problems and make a real difference. What I found when I got here were many controversial and very expensive challenges."

Marchant said those challenges include an underfunded police pension plan, litigation over Johnson's pond and a "very poorly run sewer program." He said the town does not have the "time, people and money" to address all these issues.

"I have done all I was asked to do and more," Marchant said.

But some councilors, like Council President Hillary Lima, criticized Marchant's leadership through difficult times.

"It shouldn’t be a miracle that basic things get done," Lima said. "Coventry should expect better because Coventry deserves better. We can’t afford to waste any more time waiting."

Councilor Jennifer Ludwig was the one member of the Town Council who voted against suspending Marchant. She said because the finance director and deputy resigned last week, Coventry cannot afford more leadership changes.

"The town is not in a good position to change all of the leadership at one time," Ludwig said. "It is not a smart move."

After the vote, the council ordered Marchant to cease all job duties, surrender his town vehicle and return his office keys.

The council voted unanimously to appoint retired administrative officer Edward Warzycha as interim town manager until the situation is resolved.