Concerned residents, members of local advocacy groups, and public officials gathered on Saturday to discuss the Tufts PILOT arrangement. — Photo by Penelope Jennewein

By Dorothy DiMarzo

Members of Our Revolution Somerville, Our Revolution Medford, The West Somerville Neighborhood Association, community residents, Alderman for Ward 7 Katjana Ballantyne and Alderman-at-Large Mary Jo Rossetti joined together this past Saturday, March 24, to talk about how Tufts University could do better by paying its fair share to help offset costs for city services they benefit from and to make contributions to the city since they are tax exempt as a nonprofit.

Currently, Tufts University pays the cities of Somerville and Medford $275,000 per year. The agreement is up for renegotiation this coming June.

The next PILOT (Payments In Lieu Of Taxes) meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 29, 5:00 p.m., at the Somerville Public Library, 79 Highland Avenue.

Click here to read the 5 year plan of the  agreement.