Jendzejec's proposal was doomed to fail. Was this a pre-election stunt to gain favor with his constituents, or was it really proposed in earnest? Would love to read Ted's side in more detail.

Unfortunate to see the rest of the Council's attitude. It gives the impression that they have little interest in helping taxpayers because it restricts their ability to spend more money each year. With elections around the corner, is it time for a sweeping change?

Teddy tried his magic here and if he had been successful the rest of us would have paid higher taxes to make up for it. The current senior tax freeze is working to keep seniors in their homes, and I disagree that these new lower rate will pay for themselves.
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The real reason people are not moving to Coventry in droves is all of us who are not frozen pay much higher rates to make up the difference of the generous senior and disability frozen rates.
What is the incentive to move to Coventry?
High Taxes (in most towns this rate includes fire)
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High fire district taxes.
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Sewer assessments well above what most cities charge +8% interest because the TC decided to fund it locally instead of the feds doing it.
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Many of us are stuck here because you have give your house away to sell it.
And oh what a great school system we have High pay/low test scores
Welcome to Coventry!!
My thanks go out to Pres Cote for stopping this amendment.
I agree Teddy Magic was pandering to the seniors on this one
Glad it failed

typical Coventry I want service but I dont want to pay for it (WAkE UP PEOPLE !) its not 1918 anymore, this isn't a little mill town .

Coventry Voter is a coward---sign your name

I find it interesting that Coventry Voter is a constant critic of those that serve yet does not have the decency to use his real name.... Coventry Voter(SD): Do not be such a coward and at least sign your name...better still show up and offer some solutions or put your name on an election ballot and run for office.....

and btw : That senior tax exemption needs and Household Income Test Component similar to Burrillville.....

Yeah, after some further thought on this topic, I'm a bit surprised at Jendzejec's proposal. He put the rest of the Council in a tough spot, because now they appear to not care about the needs of Coventry senior citizens. While he selfishly may have gained some brownie points with that demographic in his district, he risks alienating taxpayers who are sick and tired of paying more taxes while both the Council and School Committee failed to tighten their belts during difficult economic times. Did he think this through? It's a no-win scenario for anybody.

Looks like he's commented on his Facebook, but fails to state his opinion on the outcome. http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=498605580151626&id=177498292262358

Ted Jendzejec is knowledgeable of the hardship placed on seniors fixed income without any increase in social security for years, cost of heating, etc. to be able to stay in our homestead. Council President Cote indicates it wouldn't be fair to taxpayers who continue to pay FULL PROPERTY TAX that can fluctuate with housing market. Taxpayers are NOT paying full property tax as the valuations have decreased tremendously on their 2012 tax bill.

When the freeze amendment was introduced it was with the intent to ease the burden on senior citizens and enable them to live in their homes on a fixed income. It was never anticipated that the valuation of homes would decrease by $50,000 or more. So Mr. Cote the frozen senior taxes for 2012 are MORE than the regular taxpayers share. Mine is $500 more than if I unfreeze and paid the current valuation and current increased rate. Does this seem fair or that we are asking to much from you? If seniors, like myself, unfreeze their taxes than in fact "we are taking two bites of the poisoned apple" by paying current higher tax rate and losing disability or senior credit deduction. The disability tax credit was clumped in the tax freeze ordiance because the Council or Solicitor didn't know wherelse to put it, and that's a fact! Think again Mr. cote, we seniors lose twice when we unfreeze. If tax freeze cannot be refrozen than disability credit should be allowed when unfreezing tax rate and valuation.

Thanks Mr. McGee for seconding!

I'd agree with allowing seniors to unfreeze-freeze their property tax if the measure was accompanied by some sort of spending reduction. Maybe we could go back to one Asst. Superintendent, or the town could re-evaluate if as many as 4 Asst. Principals are really needed at the high school.

What is so difficult in reducing the tax freeze to seniors with the reduction in property values and then holding in the hopeful future at the highest rate paid in the past.

It seems logical and fair.

I do realize that many of these frozen tax seniors did not pay at the highest level when evaluations where sky rocketing. I see the the Presidents arguement but we all have taken a hit with salary and benefit reductions / increased payment.

Lets take care of the seniors and possibly then they would see in kind to vote for bond referendums that will benefit their grandchildren.

the tax rate is set to the approved budget. if the budget stays the same, your total bill should be the same regardless if the valuations go up or down. everyone is revalued at the same time so noone is ahead or behind.