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An argument against the city’s cries for college money

10 October 2008 4 Comments

For anyone following the city’s discussions over the past year to tap into PILOT funds, this week’s Pie and Coffee 508 Podcast is something to listen to. PILOT stands for payment in lieu of taxes and the City Council has been discussing on and off over the past year attempts to get Worcester’s non-profit colleges and universities to “pay up.”

Brendan Melican gives what is quite likely the best and most succinct argument against PILOT. You can find Melican’s comments about 12:40 into the podcast. Melican argues colleges forking over money to the city will only result in colleges restructuring to make up for the loss of funds. “The money has to be coming in from somewhere,” Melican says. “Maybe tuition will go up, things are just going to shift.”

Melican says any sort of PILOT system will likely just “screw things up for the rest of us who are actually kind of happy with — if anything — the way the not-for-pofits serve the city.”�

4 Comments »

  • Janice said:

    Melican certainly has a different perspective, namely none.

    # 16 October 2008 at 7:34 am
  • Kevin L. said:

    I agree.
    Melican tries so hard to be a pundit, that he comes across as an ordinary no nothing. Just a mouth looking for microphone.
    He doesn’t have anymore insiight into the issue than anyone else.

    PS. No personal insult intended BM.

    # 28 October 2008 at 2:02 pm
  • JR Moreau said:

    If the funds are allocated to specific projects or programs, I can see that. But just to pad the cities mismanaged pockets more is foolish. Never trust a politician with your money if you’re not legally bound to!

    # 3 November 2008 at 12:41 pm
  • Paulie said:

    Somerville & Medford have a PILOT program with Tufts that includes use of indoor and outdoor athletic facilities..thousands use weekly and somehing that would be a plus for this city that has a high obesity rate!

    Tufts has given a reduced rent in a Tufts owned building for the Somerville Senior Center-Senior Center an issue in this city…Tufts pays Somerville 1M a year in cash…Tufts in addition is involved in numerous civic endeavours similiar to Worcester Colleges…

    I would have to disagree with BuckPaxton on this issue…and disagree with how our leaders have dealt with the issue which has pretty much been in an unprofessional way-more for their own political gain than for a win-win for the city and the colleges!

    # 19 November 2008 at 9:21 am

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