Landowners who don't pay property taxes

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - State and local governments across the Commonwealth are cutting wherever they can to balance the budget, but what about finding new sources of income?

22News uncovers who doesn't pay property taxes and whether or not they should.

Homeowners and most businesses are burdened by their property tax bills, but it turns out some of the largest landowners don't pay equally. Several institutions are exempt.

Amherst College does not pay property taxes on any of the land used for educational purposes. Amherst College does pay property taxes for The Lord Jeffery Inn and the golf course, which ends of being about $40,000 a year.

Amherst College has made a $250,000 dollar cash contribution to the town over the last two years.

However, Hampshire College doesn't write a check for real estate taxes.

Chicopee Mayor Michael Bissonnette says he has asked certain institutions to contribute through a system called "pilot"-pay in lieu of taxes.

Chicopee Mayor Bissonnette also said, "With Baystate Medical Center, with Holyoke Health Center, and for the first time ever, with Westover Air Reserve Base we will begin collecting payment in lieu of taxes.

Mayor Bissonnette plans on asking Elms College to help the taxpayers off-set the cost of providing services like police and fire.

Mayor Bissonnette said,"I think there's almost no excuse for any entity not to contribute to the common good."

Springfield’s Treasurer, Ehsanul Bhuiya, told 22News no colleges are hit with a real estate bill.

Bhuiya said Baystate Medical pays a discounted tax of $525,312.50 annually.

The Basketball Hall of Fame is tax exempt, but the other outlets in that building, like Pazzo, are not tax exempt.

Local governments have long allowed colleges and hospitals to have tax exempt property because of the services they provide and the positive impact they have on the community.