The idea to solicit funds from non-profits in town came from former acting town manager Patricia Kennedy as a way to generate cash in difficult financial times.
PALMER - Local cable access station M-Pact was the only tax-exempt organization that responded to the town's request for an annual payment in lieu of taxes, and donated $991.26, the entire amount that the town wanted.
Bruce Henriques, M-Pact's general manager, said he brought the request before the board of directors last month, and the vote was 5 to 1 in favor of it; four members were absent.
"I kind of pushed for it. Nothing's free, and this boiled down to less than $20 a week. I figured we could come up with that to help the community . . . $20 a week isn't going to put anybody out of business," Henriques said Friday.
Henriques said the member who voted against it noted that 3/8 of M-Pact's North Main Street building is being taxed already because there is a tenant.
Patricia A. Kennedy, whose last day as acting town manager was June 30, said it is to M-Pact's credit that it chose to participate.
The amount each non-profit organization was asked to contribute varied. The amount was calculated using a property's assessed value, and the cost of basic services, which represent 12 percent of the operating budget. The money from M-Pact will go into the town's general fund.
The idea to solicit funds from non-profits in town came from Kennedy, as a way to generate cash in difficult financial times.
Twenty-five letters requesting funds went out in May, and as of July 1, there were 15 responses, with only M-Pact making the voluntary payment.
Wing Memorial Hospital declined the request to donate $115,000 to the town; its president and chief executive officer, Dr. Charles E. Cavagnaro III, said the hospital does not have the funds to do so, and spoke of other benefits it provides to the town and region. It is Palmer's largest employer with approximately 850 employees. The amount being asked of Wing was the largest.
Interim Town Manager Charles T. Blanchard said it is not unusual for communities to consider this type of payment in lieu of taxes program, and to seek donations from its larger institutions.
"I do want to research it a little bit more to find out the concerns," Blanchard said, adding he is pleased that M-Pact "stepped up to the plate."
The 25 letters were sent to churches, the Palmer Housing Authority, Palmer Ambulance, Amvets, Camp Ramah and Polish Alliance Youth Camp, among others.