Council adopts fee schedule to implement Coventry emergency response ordinance

Following adoption of the ordinance that authorizes emergency-response cost recovery, the Town Council voted to adopt a resolution setting the actual fees. The resolution, presented as Resolution 20 26-13, sets a structured schedule intended to permit the town to collect fees for specific responses while leaving waiver and hardship discretion for staff.

Council discussion focused on several notable fees. One councilor noted that a basic shoreline rescue (no water entry) is listed at $500 and questioned whether that amount is appropriate for a throw-and-reach aid; another councilor said the vehicle-extraction fee (listed in background material at approximately $1,250) is intended to cover the substantial operational cost of such responses. Supporters argued the schedule is conservative compared with other towns and that the town will retain discretion to adjust or waive fees for hardship.

Councilors also clarified billing mechanics: the town will bill the person who received the service; if that person has insurance they can file a claim, but the town will not be directly billing insurers. After debate, the council approved the fee schedule and recorded the vote, with two councilors opposed.