Harvard University has pledged $50K over three years toward the purchase of a new aerial ladder truck – a purchase that was approved at special town meeting this past September.
Harvard Medical School operates the New England Regional Primate Research Center located off Parmenter Road. The university also maintains a large book depository on the same property. As a non-profit organization, they are not required to pay property taxes. In addition to the funds pledged for the ladder truck, Harvard in the past has made an annual PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) contribution to the town of $18K.
Harvard is the last of the four major non-profits in town to contribute money toward the ladder truck. The New England Center for Children pledged $120K over ten years, while St. Mark’s and Fay both committed $100K over ten years.
