PILOT Equity Subcommittee

Purpose and Mission

The PILOT Program Assessment Subcommittee is established by the West Boylston Select Board to evaluate the equity of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation’s (DCR) Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program as it pertains to the Town of West Boylston. The subcommittee shall assess whether the current PILOT arrangement appropriately compensates the town for the value of DCR-managed lands, especially considering the Wachusett Reservoir’s impact.

The subcommittee shall also investigate and further evaluate our agreement with the Worcester County Jail and House of Corrections, relating to our payment agreements.

If inequities are identified, the subcommittee will develop legislative or policy recommendations and strategies to advocate for changes through the town’s elected state officials and other appropriate bodies.

Scope of Work

The subcommittee’s review shall include, but not be limited to:

• DCR PILOT valuation methods and state formulas.
• Trends and stagnation in PILOT payments to the town.
• Potential alternative valuation methods that include:
  • The ecological and economic value of clean water.
  • Lost development potential and taxable lakefront use.
• Inter-town comparisons with similar communities (e.g., Clinton, Sterling, Boylston).
• Applicable state laws, regulations, and funding sources.
• Review Massachusetts Department of Corrections / “Houses of Corrections” payment methods.
• Compare with similar communities throughout the state to better understand payments range, average, etc.
• Discuss / access additional burdens these facilities place on the host communities, if any exist