Winthrop to Get More Money in PILOT Program

Winthrop taxpayers will be receiving more money from Massport in their Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program for the new fiscal year that started on July 1.

The Massachusetts Port Authority has increased its lieu of tax payments to Winthrop as part of its recently approved a Business Plan and Budget for Fiscal Year 2015. The just approved  $623 million budget reflects five percent increase, or $31 million more than the previous year in total expenditures for the agency that runs Logan Airport, hanscom Field, Worcester Regioanl Airport and the Seaport terminals.  The plan will fund Massport’s commitments to community programming here  as well as funding safety and security, improving the customer experience at all Massport facilities, and continuing to attract new international and domestic service to propel the region’s economic growth.

The increase in PILOT totals for both Winthrop and Boston and Winthrop is $19 million under the budget.

Logan is the nation’s 19th busiest airport and is expected to reach a record high 31 million passengers this year and Worcester Regional Airport is expected to reach more than 120,000 passengers,’’ said Massport CEO Thomas P. Glynn. “This budget reflects key investments into our infrastructure that help grow the region’s economy while continuing to improve our customers’ experience.’’

As part of other efforts to support community initiatives in surrounding neighborhoods, Massport will invest $25.5 million, an increase of 5.5 percent. Included are more than $3 million for parks and $1.75 million in summer job opportunities for youth, education scholarships, after school programs and other community giving. “

Safety and security remain the top priority of Massport and the Authority will spend more than $73 million in personnel, technology, training and inspections to help ensure the safety of those who use and work at our facilities. A few key examples include the expansion of Security and Fire Rescue at all airports, new technology for Aviation Security, a new Fire and Rescue building at Worcester Airport and the purchase of three new fire engines. The board also voted to spend $5 million to replace the EMAS (Engineered Material Arresting System) at the end of Runway 4L-22R. First implemented in 2005, the materials used – ultra light concrete blocks that pulverize when an airline runs over them, helping to slow it down – have become costly to maintain and therefore it was decided to replace the entire system.