BEVERLY — Endicott College will increase its annual contribution to the city to $110,000 for the next three years, up from the $83,000 per year the college has been paying.
The higher payment was announced at Monday night's City Council meeting by Ward 6 Councilor Judith Cronin, who for the last year has headed a volunteer group seeking "partnerships" between the city and nonprofit organizations that are not required to pay property taxes.
Cronin was announcing various agreements when Mayor Bill Scanlon walked to the front of City Hall chambers and handed her a note saying that Endicott College President Richard Wylie had agreed to increase the school's contribution to $110,000, with the first payment due on Dec. 2.
Endicott will also donate the use of its gymnasium and field house for Briscoe Middle School's graduation, Cronin said. Briscoe's graduation was scheduled to be held in the high school field house, which is under construction.
The Endicott donations are part of a growing list of agreements that Cronin's PILOT/SILOT (payment/services in lieu of taxes) committee has achieved with nonprofits.
Committee members have been meeting with the city's six largest nonprofit institutions in terms of tax-exempt property — Endicott, Montserrat College of Art, Landmark School, Shore Country Day School, Beverly School for the Deaf and Beverly Hospital. Those six account for $225 million worth of tax-exempt property, according to Cronin.
The committee also sent letters to 75 other nonprofits asking them to donate to one of four funds, benefiting either the city's emergency services, parks and recreation, the Briscoe Commons project, or the Bookmobile.
Cronin said three organizations, the Second Congregational Church, Liberty Lodge and Centerville Church, have responded. She said committee members plan to meet with more groups to seek more donations.
Councilors Maureen Troubetaris and Tim Flaherty praised the committee and Cronin for their work. Cronin said the nonprofits have responded well to the committee's "nonconfrontational" approach to reaching agreements.
"They appreciate the fact that we realized this was completely voluntary," Cronin said.
Staff writer Paul Leighton can be reached at 978-338-2675 or by e-mail at pleighton@salemnews.com.
Nonprofit donations
Endicott College — $110,000 per year for three years, free use of gym and field house for Briscoe Middle School graduation
Montserrat College of Art — A second full tuition scholarship for a Beverly High graduate, half-day workshops twice a year for Beverly public school teachers
Landmark School — $10,000 to Bookmobile Fund
Shore Country Day School — Free use of fields and gyms to city athletes
Beverly School for the Deaf — 50 percent reduced tuition for up to 10 Beverly students
Beverly Hospital — Working with Superintendent James Hayes to establish school-based health clinic. Also pursuing a community-based health clinic.
Centerville Church — $500 to Emergency Services Fund
Liberty Lodge — $250 to Emergency Services Fund, $250 to Bookmobile Fund
Second Congregational Church — $100 to Bookmobile Fund
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