DISQUS

Kaley · 1 year ago

Police and Fire should charge for every call received on and off campus for Merrimack students. Any local condo owner will tell you that police and fire are at their complexes dealing with Merrimack College students inappropriate behavior all the time. The college really needs to realize how well their students are taken care of off campus by local officials and 50K is not even close to what the students cost the tax payers

Randy · 1 year ago

I live in apartments down the street (by Market Basket) up on the hill. MC students moved in across the hall from me and are TERRIBLE.

There's like 8 guys living in a 3BDR apt. They leave their door open at all hours of the night screaming. There are drunk kids (like 20-30) running up and down the steps on a regular basis. There is dried up vomit in the halls CONSTANTLY.

And, the whole building smells like pot.

I've given my apt. PLENTY of time to take care of them themselves, and they haven't. So, next time I call Lawrence Police.

They might as well add Lawrence to the list too!

Commentard · 1 year ago

Major failure on the part of the college. North Andover should slap them so hard that $50,000 seems like the lint under the pocket change.

MR. FOOT from Methuen · 1 year ago

Yes, I believe North Andover will prevail in a civil case regarding the promise $50,000 if the city can show they relied on this money.

mory56 · 1 year ago

I can not believe that Merrimac would do that to North Andover,our police and fire dept are always going there for calls. The fire dept alone goes there at least 3 times a day on false alarms. I think we should start to charge them for every false alarm we go to. I can not believe the 3 selectmen voted to give them a 1 day liquor license, whats wrong with you 3 .You should have stood up along with Mr Lanon and Mr. Caggiano and not gave it to them. The college will make plenty of money off that license. Thank You the 3 wise men. We all know about the economy but the kids still go to school there and at higher prices than last year, so who are you kidding Merrimac stand up and pay the town the money you promised

Ridiculous · 1 year ago

Time to charge them for each fire and emergency call. Watch how fast they will come to the table to negotiate.

Simple Solution · 1 year ago

Merrimack College administration does not believe they have an obligation to financially support their hometowns? Time to start billing them for every fire and police call made to the campus. Or let them set up and pay for their own private police and fire departments.

A long time reader · 1 year ago

Merrimack doesn't contribute to the community? How about the students and facutly supporting local business, ie. Bertucci's Panera, CVS, Rite Aid, Fuddruckers, Shop N Shop, Rocky's, and the others. These economic times are tough for everyone even North Andover or why else would the town officials be so upset about losing $50,000. Sounds to me like a drop in the bucket compare to the town budget. Get a life North Andover.

????? · 1 year ago

I live in Andover on the side street of the college. Last year the college was talking about removing the beautiful maple trees and grassy area to the right of the church where their students pay recreational ball and putting in a parking lot!
I wonder if this is part of their "repositioning"? WE NEED TO FIGHT THESE CHANGES!!!!

????? · 1 year ago

Correction: should say "play recreational ball"

Show me the $$$$$ · 1 year ago

Brooks gives, Phillips gives, Merrimack has given. The people of Lawrence have given to Central Catholic. More than an acre of land for $1.00. We even closed off a few streets and gave that space to them.
Now, after more than fifty years of the free ride Lawrence needs the gesture returned. Mayor Sullivan if you don't ask, you don't get.

MR. FOOT from Methuen · 1 year ago

What does this story have to do with Lawrence?

Rich towns crying · 1 year ago

Andover and North Andover dont need the money. Merrimack should be making 100K donation to Lawrence every year if they really wanted to make a difference.

chimpy · 1 year ago

How does that make any sense?

ChairmanOfTheBoard · 1 year ago

It doesn't. Not even for a minute.

bob · 1 year ago

Oh please, Lawrence gets enough money from the state of MA and our tax dollars they don;t need the 50 grand. Cry me a river.

justmy2opinion · 1 year ago

The people of Lawrence dont need Merrimack's money, they get enough money from unemployment and welfare already

Althea · 1 year ago

With tuition now being about double what it was ten years ago, I'm sure the administration could scrape together an extra $50K. I find myself continuously being embarressed when having to admit that I'm a Merrimack alum due to stories like this.

Jamie · 1 year ago

The whiners don't want to pay and constantly state that town's should downsize rather than look for extra funds. But when its someone else's money, they have their hands out and voices raised. It is certainly nice of Merrimack to have contributed and politically it may not be smart to stop the contributions. However, they are under no legal obligation to give the towns anything, not one dime. If you have a real problem with that, get the law changed. Oh wait, then we'll find out who is really benefiting from this law. (Hint: the Catholic Church is the number one holder of untaxed private land in the state.)

Duh · 1 year ago

Your a genious! Im pretty sure the religious organizations, like a church, draw far less local resources (In the form of fire/police) than a college and donate a lot more of their own resoucres to the community through food pantries and such. Im sure a local church also operates on far lower income than a prestigous college.

Bottom Line: Merrimack College Does Far Less for the local community than what it is given, I laughed when I saw the note about their students helping/interning with local schools...that does nothing but help those students gain a resume by watching a locally paid teacher in action. Also they claim COMMUNITY ACTION? If Merrimack College wants to know what real community action is I would refer them to Central Catholic's association with Lazaurus House...thats a real way to help your local community.

Oh I forgot they buy their food a Panera Bread so we should be thankful! What a Crock!

chimpy · 1 year ago

But the point is that MC does not pay the huge tax bill because of their religious affiliation- yet they make substantial income from students and donate very little, just as you said, yet they are included in the Catholic Church's vast expanse of free land.

Duh · 1 year ago

Don't get me wrong I definately think they should keep donating at least 50K a year to the community as MC, unlike a church, uses significant resources from the community.

On a personal note I also believe their student body should be getting motivated by their religious education to become more involved in helping area non-profits.

Dean · 1 year ago

I'm a Merrimack Alum & I’m embarrassed they would do this. My annual financial support will be ending. Others who contribute should reconsider their financial support too.

Harry · 1 year ago

Remember...the strong rumors out there is that Merrimack College is in serious financial trouble that threatens the existance of the school it'self.

Commentard · 1 year ago

Then they should be spending their money wisely instead of sinking millions into pretty new landscaping and a new entrance!!!

chimpy · 1 year ago

Maybe a tax paying community minded college will take over for the inept Catholic leaders in place now. Heck, who cares if they pay taxes, giving back to the community in any form will be better tahan what's there now.

Duh · 1 year ago

"Merrimack saw its largest freshman class this year in more than a decade." - This and their tuition is highly inflated makes your comment doubtful

chimpy · 1 year ago

Unless of course they blow at managing their finances and accepted more freshman this year to try and get more cash flow in the door.

NA Parent · 1 year ago

I have also heard many rumors that the former President of the college left MC in a big financial mess. Also, that this year's larger class will just begin to make up for the past few years of smaller enrollment.. I am sure that there is much we do not know about their current financial situation. I do feel the new President should have met with town officials instead of sending an impersonal letter as notification. There is something to be said for Community Relations, and it appears he has just alienated much of the community over what would seem like a small amount of money, given the services they receive from the town.

justmy2opinion · 1 year ago

yeah, and dont forget the story saying that this year they will have their largest freshman class in history. Each resident student pays about 45- 50k per year to go to that school, I am sure Merrimack College can give 50k to each town, that is the LEAST they can give

Mike · 1 year ago

Oh my gosh: a wealthy town griping about not getting a lousy $50K. Unbelievable.

Unless they got it in writing and/or it could be considered a contractual arrangement, if I were the college I'd tell the town to go jump in Lake Cochichewick.

Okie · 1 year ago

The college should be paying the town payment in lieu of taxes each years like other organizations. The college should also be handing out a set number of scholarships to the local area high school students. The catholic church owns many, many properties in the area tax free and they don't give back to the community.

Take a Look Around! · 1 year ago

WOW...you obviously never stepped foot into any church...most do a lot more to help the impoverished in our neighborhoods than the government or any other non-profit organization.

mory56 · 1 year ago

All these people who seem to think that we in North Andover are rich. Please come to my house for dinner one day see what we have to eat. I do not complain, I learned many years ago by my Parents, you eat what you can afford. Well right now all we can afford to eat isgrilled cheese and hamburgers and chips . And if we are lucky after paying all of ours bills we may get to eat some sort of a chicken dinner. So tell the colledge to pay up there 50,000. and stop crying