By JON BAKER

LINCOLN — The Town Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to pass an ordinance providing seniors with a new tax credit program.

Seniors ages 65-plus with total household incomes under $25,000 will receive a boost of between $700-1,300 via the program.
“I'm glad the council passed an ordinance that's going to help our low-income seniors,” said Council member John Flynn (District 2/Lonsdale) of his brainchild, one he's pursued for a minimum of three months. “It took us a while to get there, and a lot of went into it by all five council persons, but we finally did.
“We started discussing this as a senior tax exemption back in December, and — after (Tuesday night) — not much more could be said,” he continued.
 “I know everyone who is eligible to participate in this program is going to be pretty happy. If their income is that low, they're going to receive the help they need. I know they'll all welcome this.”
Council members Arthur (T.J.) Russo (District 1/Saylesville) and Keith Macksoud (District 3/Lime Rock) previously had backed an amendment to the already-existing tax deferral ordinance, one they claimed made more sense for a variety of reasons.
Among them: A deferral would cost taxpayers under age 65 nothing; it still would aid low-income seniors; and the town could collect those taxes upon the death of a homeowner or the sale of his/her property.
Flynn and Council Vice President James Jahnz (District 4/Albion, Quinnville and a segment of Lime Rock) had stated before they believed a tax credit more favorable to seniors because they wouldn't want a lien placed on their homes.
During the Jan. 19 meeting, the council voted 2-2 on the initial tax exemption ordinance, as Council President Ronald McKenna (District 5/Manville) recused himself from voting as he already received a $600 tax exemption.
McKenna pursued a decision from the Rhode Island Ethics Commission, which granted an “OK” for the vote. On Feb. 23, the council sent both the tax credit/exemption and tax deferral proposals back to the Ordinance Committee, comprised of Flynn, Jahnz and Macksoud, for more discussion.
Just before McKenna made his deciding vote on Tuesday night, the council — following about a 15-minute discussion as to the positives of each — had nixed the tax deferment program by a 3-2 count, McKenna siding with Flynn and Jahnz.
“I thought (the tax credit) was just the right way to go,” McKenna stated. “I've got a lot of empathy for low-income seniors living in Lincoln. I mean, it's not an inexpensive place to live. I want to do all I can to help them stay in their homes. The seniors are the backbone of this town; they've seen it and help-ed it expand into what it is today.
“Why do you think we're building a new senior center (on Jenckes Hill Road next to the middle school)?” he added. “We certainly don't want to chase them away … No question, I'm excited about this. Over the years, we (as a council) repeatedly have heard our seniors were having difficulty. Even some of our town employees don't make enough to own a home in this town.
“We've been through all that before. Like I said, I just thought this was the right way to do things.”
Currently, Flynn indicated, only four seniors in Lincoln utilize the tax deferment program. He believes the reason for that is seniors dislike the idea of having a lien placed on their homes.
“I'm in favor of (a tax deferral) because it won't place an increased burden onto the taxpayers,” Macksoud said during the debate Tuesday. “Upon the passing of the property owner or the sale of it, the town would be made whole (via liens).”
He also stated that the number of seniors in town will rise dramatically over the next several years, as “Baby Boomers” are only getting older, and a tax credit given to each would create financial hardships for Lincoln down the road.
“A lot more people would seek to benefit from this,” he noted.
Here's how the new tax credit program works: If you're between 65-70 and have a total household income of $20,000-24,999, you would qualify for an additional $700 — above and beyond the $600 tax exemption afforded to all seniors, not to mention the 35 percent “Homestead Exemption.” If you're 81 or older with that aforementioned income, the credit would move to $1,000.
For those who earn $14,999 or below, those ages 65-70 would receive $1,000 credit, while those 81-plus would move to $1,300.
In order to qualify for this credit, an applicant must be a town resident who owns and resides on the real estate where the credit is to be applied.
Russo indicated the amendment to the deferral ordinance would have utilized the same plan in which Flynn had advocated with this tax credit program.
Russo voted in favor of the tax credit ordinance the second time around “because I viewed it as one of two roads to the same destination — aiding our senior citizens.
“The passing of the tax credit program doesn't bother me; at this point, there will be a very small impact on the town (offering property tax credit to seniors),” he stated. “As Keith said, the impact could increase dramatically as time goes on.
“Hey, we've accomplished our goal — helping the seniors,” he added. “I'm certainly not disappointed in the deferral not passing. Both ordinances were properly discussed and reviewed. This is the only issue I can remember where we as a council haven't been unanimously in favor of something. In the end, we did act unanimously, and I think that's very important.
“I'm pleased by the fact both sides were properly discussed, and that the council moved forward unanimously toward the goal.”