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« Judge: States can regulate greenhouse gas emissions | Today | Tonight: Documentary spotlights Tony Bennett » September 12, 2007RWU, Bristol sign $42M compensation pactBRISTOL -- In the first pact of its kind between the two sides, the town and Roger Williams University today signed an agreement that will provide an estimated $42 million in compensation for municipal services over the next 20 years. The centerpiece of the deal is a $150,000 annual payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) from the school that will increase by 1.5 percent a year. In addition, Roger Williams will give the town $100,000 every five years to help defray the cost of a fire or rescue vehicle, will donate $25,000 per year to civic activities and events, and will increase the value of scholarships to local students to a total of $37 million over the life of the agreement. Town Administrator Diane Mederos, Town Council Chairman Kenneth A. Marshall and university President Roy J. Nirschel signed the document after a brief meeting in which the council unanimously voted to approve it. The university’s Board of Trustees endorsed the offer in a meeting Aug. 30. The ceremony at the old State House this afternoon came after nearly four years of sometimes contentious negotiations. Mederos called the agreement a “new beginning.” “I am delighted that the town and the university have persevered,” she said. “Today is a good day for Bristol and the university.” Nirschel acknowledged the rocky relationship with the town, calling it “a wonderful, occasionally turbulent, four-decade marriage.” He also reminded those in attendance that the university is a tax-exempt institution that isn’t obligated to provide financial compensation to the town. “But I believe in the importance of being a good neighbor, above and beyond the requirements of the law,” he said. -- Journal staff writer Alex Kuffner Negotiations between the town and the school opened in 2003 after a landmark accord was announced in Providence in which Brown University, the Rhode Island School of Design, Johnson & Wales University and Providence College -- like Roger Williams University, all tax-exempt educational institutions -- would contribute a total of $50 million to the city over two decades. Talks continued in fits and starts over the next four years. Although a deal appeared close several times, it wasn't until this summer that both Roger Williams and town officials said they were getting ready to sign anything. What was ratified today is the first PILOT agreement between Roger Williams and the town since the university moved to its campus overlooking Mount Hope Bay in 1969. Posted by Mike McKinney CommentsTom Schumpert | September 12, 2007 8:54 PM link Mayor Cicciline gets $50 million over 20 years from 4 schools and it's a GREAT DEAL but Bristol gets $42 million over 20 years from one school and it's a a huge deal. Who is getting screwed here, Providence or Bristol. Somehow I think RISD and Brown could afford a few more dollars for the city they so cherish. bill | September 13, 2007 12:38 AM link How is this a good deal? $150,000 vs $600,000 they should pay in taxes on the property they have over the excemption? Plus they just spent 2,000,000 more on a wall in front of the school. I want to know how Town Administrator Diane Mederos, Town Council Chairman Kenneth A. Marshall can work on this deal after they were in the flyer sent out by RWU on alumni running for office back in October, then we have a counciler who works there, another doing a radio show from there. Who is working for the taxpayers. Also What is the interest on the $600,000 tax bill from last year that went unpaid. We get ripped off here by officals who get elected for 2 years working a deal 20 years out. This should have been voted on by he citizens not people in bed with RWU. I don not care about donations and scholarships to local students. I care about my tax rate. I pay $4000 a year for a single person in property taxes, they are paying $150,000 for all the property they own and people getting services. It is time for an Ethics probe into the people who worked this deal. After being in that flyer RWU sent you should not be dealing with them Diane and Ken. jr | September 13, 2007 7:50 AM link Post a commentPlease be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish. |
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ProJo 9 to 5 News Blog
Oct 2005 - March 2006
It's about time. Given the growth of RWU and the cost to the town of providing services. Go Bristol!