Council Amends Tax Exemption and Zoning Ordinances

At Monday night's meeting, the Town Council voted to begin the steps necessary to approve the amendment of Chapter 217, Article III, Section 217-5 of the Coventry Code of Ordinances in regards to eligibility and termination of tax exemption.

Council member Ted Jendzejec suggested that the criteria be changed from requiring both spouses on a deed to be over the age of 65 or disabled, to only one having to have met the requirement. The individual will still have to have been a five-year resident of the town in order to qualify for tax exemption.

"This is a matter of fairness," said Jendzejec. "This is just introducing the idea, there's still a lengthy process before it can be changed."

The Council members also approved the amendment process for Article 4, Section 454 of the Town Zoning Ordinance regarding variances, that would require a resident who has been issued a notice of violation to first come into compliance before seeking a variance.

"To me, it doesn't seem fair to the neighbor or anyone else in town with a valid complaint, that people get to ask for forgiveness before asking for permission," said Jendzejec.

Refunding Bond Issue Resolutions

• The Council voted to earmark the projected savings from the pending Refunding Bond Issue to the Police and Municipal Employees Pension Funds. The earmarked savings will total approximately $500,000 over several years.

• A resolution was passed that would allow the PFM Group to provide services connected with the Town's Refunding Bond Issue at a fee of $1 per $1,000 of bonds issued, not to exceed $13,000.  The Group differs from who the Town has used in the past, but Town Manager Tom Hoover explained that the working relationship is better and that there is no change in cost.

Service Contract

A contract was awarded to DeJana Truck Equipment of Smithfield for dump bodies, plows and hydraulics for three Freightliner M2 Cab and Chassis at a cost of $94,650 from the DPW's Capital Improvement budget. Chuck Smith of the DPW assured the Council that he was satisfied with the workmanship and progress of the company.

The next Town Council meeting will be held on October 24 at 7:00 p.m.