Mariano Column In Telegram Today

 Click here

Here is part

Madison Properties’ proposed developments were an integral part of the city’s proposal to build Polar Park.

The taxes it was to generate were to be used to pay for the construction of the ballpark. The developments included two residential buildings, a hotel, a life sciences building, and an office building.

On its way to constructing the first residential building, the developer seemed to ignore its agreement with the city in which it promised to make a good faith effort to reach certain hiring goals. Now to be fair, most developers who operate under these rules fail to meet their goals. But it appears that Madison Properties didn’t make much of an effort.

They were supposed to hire 50% of construction workers from Worcester. They acknowledge hiring only 10%. They were also way off on goals for hiring women and people of color.

So, the city administration, backed by the city council, sent them a warning letter which caused the developer to take a few basic steps which they should have taken before they even started.

So, we’re good, right?

Not so fast. The developer decided to flip the city “the bird” and refused to provide required payroll documentation, agreed to as part of the tax deal, so that the city can verify the percentages submitted by the developer. It’s not that we don’t trust them, but we sort of have an obligation to the taxpayers to make sure the names of those they say are employed are real.

No other developer has ever been so brazen. City Councilor Sean Rose called it “disheartening.”

And his committee passed a resolution to let the developer know that they expect them to follow the terms of the agreement.

Try and remember that the City Council often passes resolutions calling for world peace and “Taco Tuesdays.”

Warning letters, resolutions, baloney! It’s time the city yanked the deal until such time as the developer proves it is keeping up its end of the bargain. They made a promise to taxpayers.

Now keep that promise!