We
are proud of the partnership that we have created between the City of
Somerville and Tufts University. We share a commitment to a vibrant
city and robust neighborhoods. We agreed a number of years ago that
working together would make both Somerville and Tufts stronger.

In
2004, we memorialized our partnership in an agreement in which Tufts
committed to pay Somerville $1.25 million over 10 years. This agreement
was later amended, when Tufts agreed to forgive $500,000 in planned
rent payments by the city for space in Tufts-owned property – bringing
Tufts' total contributions under the agreement to $1.75 million. Tufts
offered this financial support to help the City make progress in
difficult budgetary times. In turn, Somerville agreed to work with
Tufts to achieve its future plans.

In the agreement, Tufts also
committed to a number of programs and practices that benefit
Somerville, including waiver of rental fees for use of facilities,
financial support for local children in Tufts early childhood education
programs and a reduced charge for course audits. Tufts also committed
to invest at least $300,000 in need-based grant aid each year for
undergraduate students from Somerville. This spring 20 students from
Somerville were enrolled as undergraduates at Tufts, receiving a total
of $466,000 in direct financial aid. Six more Somerville students will
be joining the freshman class in the fall.

Tufts has upheld its
side of the bargain. In fact, it has gone beyond the agreement through
programs that help students at Somerville High School prepare for
college; Shape Up Somerville, a complete health and nutrition program;
and the Tufts Neighborhood Service Fund, which has awarded $80,000 in
grants to Somerville non-profit organizations since 1996.

Tufts
pays taxes on properties it owns around the campus that are not used as
dormitories, offices or classrooms. The university owns 43 such taxable
properties in Somerville, and pays annual property taxes on them of
$305,131. Far from avoiding its tax obligations on these properties, in
fact the university improves the properties it owns to the benefit of
its neighborhood.

We both admit that there are times when we
have differences. But we have taken the route of communicating our
concerns in a transparent fashion – not for political gain but to
resolve the issues that inevitably arise when two complex entities live
side-by-side in a densely populated community.

The result is a
model for town-gown relations. We know it is far from perfect. But we
are working together and determined to make it successful. What do we
get in return? Tufts is proud to play a key role in the economy and
social fabric of Somerville. The essence of a Tufts education is a
commitment to active citizenship; working with Somerville, the
university has an opportunity to practice what it preaches. And
Somerville is proud to have a world-class institution of higher
education within its city boundaries. It is an engine for the local
economy as the students, faculty, staff and visitors to the campus
frequent the local businesses.

It's a winning partnership for both of us.

Joseph A. Curtatone

Mayor

City of Somerville

Lawrence S. Bacow

President