Comments on: Newton-Wellesley in Framingham http://www.thisisframingham.com/newton-wellesley-in-framingham Life in the 'ham Tue, 22 May 2012 06:08:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: erinb http://www.thisisframingham.com/newton-wellesley-in-framingham#comment-13353 erinb Thu, 29 Apr 2010 15:50:04 +0000 http://www.thisisframingham.com/newton-wellesley-in-framingham#comment-13353 Noticed when I drove past the other day - looks like it'll be a Savers soon. Noticed when I drove past the other day - looks like it’ll be a Savers soon.

]]> By: Barry http://www.thisisframingham.com/newton-wellesley-in-framingham#comment-11773 Barry Tue, 24 Feb 2009 11:04:11 +0000 http://www.thisisframingham.com/newton-wellesley-in-framingham#comment-11773 According to today's paper, NWH is in discussion about PILOT payments to the town (Payment in lieu of taxes). This would replace paid the money currerntly paid in taxes by the property owner and provide direct benefit to the residents of Framingham. According to today’s paper, NWH is in discussion about PILOT payments to the town (Payment in lieu of taxes). This would replace paid the money currerntly paid in taxes by the property owner and provide direct benefit to the residents of Framingham.

]]> By: Bob http://www.thisisframingham.com/newton-wellesley-in-framingham#comment-11754 Bob Wed, 18 Feb 2009 20:43:00 +0000 http://www.thisisframingham.com/newton-wellesley-in-framingham#comment-11754 The Town should be working with Metrowest Medical Center to take over the same space. That would keep the use taxable and would solve two problems for our local hospital, 1. space and 2. keep their feared "competition" out. I too would like to see that prime piece of property stay on the tax rolls, what are our Selectmen doing to help the process along with a business that they would be happy with? If they are doing nothing, which I suspect, then how can we say who the land can be sold to? Are we heading towards another legal mess? The Town should be working with Metrowest Medical Center to take over the same space. That would keep the use taxable and would solve two problems for our local hospital, 1. space and 2. keep their feared “competition” out.

I too would like to see that prime piece of property stay on the tax rolls, what are our Selectmen doing to help the process along with a business that they would be happy with? If they are doing nothing, which I suspect, then how can we say who the land can be sold to? Are we heading towards another legal mess?

]]> By: Sharon http://www.thisisframingham.com/newton-wellesley-in-framingham#comment-11742 Sharon Sun, 15 Feb 2009 16:19:55 +0000 http://www.thisisframingham.com/newton-wellesley-in-framingham#comment-11742 I do not believe town government should be in the business of protecting a for-profit corporation from any kind of "competition." A reminder, people: MetroWest Medical Center is owned by a for-profit corporation. As someone who has gone to Newton-Wellesley Hospital for medical care, I would be very happy to have a Newton-Wellesley orthopedic facility in Framingham. If the town wants retail in that space, my guess is that the town is either going to have to offer some pretty attractive financial incentives or have the building sit as a vacant eyesore for quite awhile in the current economy. Look at all the other retailers closing in the area, and how much additional retail space is coming on the market. If the issue is loss of tax revenue, has anyone talked to Newton-Wellesley about payments in lieu of taxes? I do not believe town government should be in the business of protecting a for-profit corporation from any kind of “competition.” A reminder, people: MetroWest Medical Center is owned by a for-profit corporation.

As someone who has gone to Newton-Wellesley Hospital for medical care, I would be very happy to have a Newton-Wellesley orthopedic facility in Framingham.

If the town wants retail in that space, my guess is that the town is either going to have to offer some pretty attractive financial incentives or have the building sit as a vacant eyesore for quite awhile in the current economy. Look at all the other retailers closing in the area, and how much additional retail space is coming on the market.

If the issue is loss of tax revenue, has anyone talked to Newton-Wellesley about payments in lieu of taxes?

]]> By: Matt http://www.thisisframingham.com/newton-wellesley-in-framingham#comment-11731 Matt Wed, 11 Feb 2009 02:30:48 +0000 http://www.thisisframingham.com/newton-wellesley-in-framingham#comment-11731 Okay. I guess some of us will have to agree to disagree. To me it's short term thinking to give up taxable land, especially in premium locations (i.e. right off exit 13). In a couple years the economy will come back, and then that space will, once again, be a prime retail location capable of generating close to $100k in taxes per year as it did in the very recent past. (And, despite how it appears right now, the owner is still paying taxes on the space.) Once NWH gets a hold of it, why would they ever let it go given its location? This is not some defunct lumber yard or gas station that's buried off of some interior cut through like so many other fallow properties in Framingham. If NWH does get it, we're talking, what, 10 operating rooms? I can't imagine that the docs who do the surgery, or the patients under blade will add that much to the local economy. This facility will not be some comprehensive educational complex with throngs of people looking to eat or shop. It will ikely be a get-in and get-out stopover for employees and patients alike. Relegating that space forever to a non-taxable locale is just penny-wise and pound foolish. Okay. I guess some of us will have to agree to disagree.
To me it’s short term thinking to give up taxable land, especially in premium locations (i.e. right off exit 13). In a couple years the economy will come back, and then that space will, once again, be a prime retail location capable of generating close to $100k in taxes per year as it did in the very recent past. (And, despite how it appears right now, the owner is still paying taxes on the space.) Once NWH gets a hold of it, why would they ever let it go given its location? This is not some defunct lumber yard or gas station that’s buried off of some interior cut through like so many other fallow properties in Framingham.
If NWH does get it, we’re talking, what, 10 operating rooms? I can’t imagine that the docs who do the surgery, or the patients under blade will add that much to the local economy. This facility will not be some comprehensive educational complex with throngs of people looking to eat or shop. It will ikely be a get-in and get-out stopover for employees and patients alike.
Relegating that space forever to a non-taxable locale is just penny-wise and pound foolish.

]]> By: Barry http://www.thisisframingham.com/newton-wellesley-in-framingham#comment-11730 Barry Tue, 10 Feb 2009 19:01:32 +0000 http://www.thisisframingham.com/newton-wellesley-in-framingham#comment-11730 Matt - I would tend to disagree with you. I think the town would be better served by having a tenant in that building space as opposed to just letting it sit vacant - and become a blight on Rte 30 (which it is slowly becoming). Bringing people to the area - for medical purposes and/or employment purposes - will generate revenue in other areas and keep other business from disappearing. The longer the location stays empty, and with the probable demise of other establishments on Rte 30 via closings, the town cannot afford to control who goes where (nor does the Board have any right to)... I'd be all for a tax paying entity taking up shop there, but there doesn't appear to be any that are willing. Find a business that is willing to locate their and survive and Im all for it. Until then, let NWH come and let all their employees and patients patronize Framingham based establishments. Matt -

I would tend to disagree with you. I think the town would be better served by having a tenant in that building space as opposed to just letting it sit vacant - and become a blight on Rte 30 (which it is slowly becoming). Bringing people to the area - for medical purposes and/or employment purposes - will generate revenue in other areas and keep other business from disappearing.

The longer the location stays empty, and with the probable demise of other establishments on Rte 30 via closings, the town cannot afford to control who goes where (nor does the Board have any right to)…

I’d be all for a tax paying entity taking up shop there, but there doesn’t appear to be any that are willing. Find a business that is willing to locate their and survive and Im all for it. Until then, let NWH come and let all their employees and patients patronize Framingham based establishments.

]]> By: Matt http://www.thisisframingham.com/newton-wellesley-in-framingham#comment-11729 Matt Tue, 10 Feb 2009 15:55:18 +0000 http://www.thisisframingham.com/newton-wellesley-in-framingham#comment-11729 As I tried to point out in comment # 4, the biggest issue to the Town is not the competition to MWMH that NW *might* create -- that's the hospital's concern -- but rather the loss of revenue in taxes to Framingham if the Town allows it to be owned by a non-profit (which NW is). We're talking about a tens-of-thousands of dollars in lost revenue if NW is allowed to consume that space. As it is, this property is zoned for retail, so the Town would have to make an exception to its designated use. We can't afford it. As I tried to point out in comment # 4, the biggest issue to the Town is not the competition to MWMH that NW *might* create — that’s the hospital’s concern — but rather the loss of revenue in taxes to Framingham if the Town allows it to be owned by a non-profit (which NW is). We’re talking about a tens-of-thousands of dollars in lost revenue if NW is allowed to consume that space.
As it is, this property is zoned for retail, so the Town would have to make an exception to its designated use.
We can’t afford it.

]]> By: Barry http://www.thisisframingham.com/newton-wellesley-in-framingham#comment-11725 Barry Mon, 09 Feb 2009 12:07:55 +0000 http://www.thisisframingham.com/newton-wellesley-in-framingham#comment-11725 Carol - I am sorry. I meant that comment for Susie, who believes that if the name is Newton Wellesley it should only be in Newton or Wellesley ("My first thought is that if it’s named “Newton Wellesley, it needs to stay in Newton or Wellesley. ") Carol -

I am sorry. I meant that comment for Susie, who believes that if the name is Newton Wellesley it should only be in Newton or Wellesley (”My first thought is that if it’s named “Newton Wellesley, it needs to stay in Newton or Wellesley. “)

]]> By: Carol http://www.thisisframingham.com/newton-wellesley-in-framingham#comment-11724 Carol Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:57:01 +0000 http://www.thisisframingham.com/newton-wellesley-in-framingham#comment-11724 Hi Barry, I agree with you, I think you have mistaken me for someone else. No, of course it doesn't need to be true to name. All I am asking for is an ER that will take care of emergencies, not regular doc visits because affordable health care isn't available to some. Make it a clinic for walk ins. Maybe we need more of them, or have doctors take on more patients and stop enforcing the no new patients. MWMC is fine for in house, just not emergencies. Hi Barry, I agree with you, I think you have mistaken me for someone else. No, of course it doesn’t need to be true to name. All I am asking for is an ER that will take care of emergencies, not regular doc visits because affordable health care isn’t available to some. Make it a clinic for walk ins. Maybe we need more of them, or have doctors take on more patients and stop enforcing the no new patients. MWMC is fine for in house, just not emergencies.

]]> By: Barry http://www.thisisframingham.com/newton-wellesley-in-framingham#comment-11720 Barry Sun, 08 Feb 2009 13:17:56 +0000 http://www.thisisframingham.com/newton-wellesley-in-framingham#comment-11720 To Carol - If it needs to stay in Newton or Wellesley, then should any facility be true to its name if that location contains a city. Should Dover Rug be confined to Dover? Southboro Medical has facilities in Framingham.. What about all the banks with cities in their name? It makes little sense and so far no one has come up with an argument why NWH shouldn't go to that space - all that has been raised is a fear (and an unfounded fear at that) that MW will go out of business. Look at who is really spreading the fear - the two centers aren't in competition for patients - the new facility won't be something you can go to when you are feeling ill or need emergency medical care... Will the Board of Selectmen feel the same way when CVS comes asking for an instore clinic? Perhaps MW should work on cleaning up their act and figuring out how to provide better service and such.. I've used the facility and am amazed at how long it takes to be seen and how long it takes them to send a bill. Here they are complaining about payment practices and they take close to 7 months to send out a bill and when they do, the bill is wrong so it takes another 4-5 months to correct it. Maybe that is part of the problem. To Carol -

If it needs to stay in Newton or Wellesley, then should any facility be true to its name if that location contains a city. Should Dover Rug be confined to Dover? Southboro Medical has facilities in Framingham.. What about all the banks with cities in their name? It makes little sense and so far no one has come up with an argument why NWH shouldn’t go to that space - all that has been raised is a fear (and an unfounded fear at that) that MW will go out of business. Look at who is really spreading the fear - the two centers aren’t in competition for patients - the new facility won’t be something you can go to when you are feeling ill or need emergency medical care…
Will the Board of Selectmen feel the same way when CVS comes asking for an instore clinic?
Perhaps MW should work on cleaning up their act and figuring out how to provide better service and such.. I’ve used the facility and am amazed at how long it takes to be seen and how long it takes them to send a bill. Here they are complaining about payment practices and they take close to 7 months to send out a bill and when they do, the bill is wrong so it takes another 4-5 months to correct it. Maybe that is part of the problem.

]]>