Before retiring as excecutive director of the Mass. Municipal Assoc., Geoff Beckwith said in a Boston Globe interview that it was time for a law that mandates tax payments by non-profits “who are essentially having a free ride at the local level whereas other entities are paying the full amount. There is always going to be tight finances at the local level. Too the extent that nonprofits refuse to contribute will lead to higher taxes on other taxpayers, or a deterioration in the services provided locally" (Or more debt exclusions and override campaigns).
Back on 12/25/08 a Free Press study showed that $315 million worth of Melrose property had gone untaxed that year. The hospital and parent company Hallmark Health owned 16 properties valued at $67.2 million - over a fifth of the city’s total tax-exempt properties.
Starting in fiscal 2012, (Boston Globe 10/27/14) Boston established a structured system and incrementally increased the amount requested with the goal that, by fiscal 2016, each nonprofit was asked to contribute 25 percent of the property tax it would owe if not exempt.
The time is long overdue for the Mayor and BOA to roll up their sleeves and address our tax-free system for non-profits.
Is GI still on the Board of Directors of Hallmark Health? She should use her connections at Hallmark and get "Delta" payments. Her status as an unelected Illegitimate Mayor harms support for increased taxes since she was not elected by the "public" whose money she now wants. Let's see if Gail is legitimate with Hallmark. The poorly managed MPS and the poor planning by those who bonded all the trailer classrooms and refused to open the Bebee cannot be trusted with our money. Gail threw out the 1st pitch regarding an OVERRIDE last night during the SC meeting. We Voted No before and will Vote No again, if the delusional politicians attempt another OVERRIDE. People will look at their 401K accounts blown up by Trump and Vote No. People cannot afford more taxes!
It is not and never was city land. It was part of Deering Lumber (Cronin family), and then when Deering downsized about 15 years ago they turned that part of the lumberyard into a parking lot and leased it to Hallmark for employee parking. Still owned by the Cronin family in the name of the above mentioned LLC, who pays taxes on it.
That's totally true. You can blame that one on the Dolan hand written charter as well, since he had it put in there so he could sit on the SC and steer their actions.
Infurna was not as dangerous as an Alderman - she was only one of eleven. But as Mayor she is an absolute menace - thanks again, Charter - and having her on the SC as well is a recipe for disaster. She's already, without saying the word, endorsed another override proposal. "We need help." she lamented. You need help alright, Gail, but unfortunately the kind of help you needs doesn't come with a dollar sign in front of it.
Here's a tip, Gail - get your face out of Taymore's a$$. We'll all be a lot better off.