But in his remarks, Town Manager Michael Driscoll—credited with doing much of the day-to-day work on the town’s side—noted that the University has kept up its PILOT payments in Boston and Cambridge.
Manager Driscoll described the negotiations as “arduous and sometimes contentious” and negotiators for both sides said that the details—even after the sides reached agreements in principle—took longer to hammer out than anyone anticipated.
Negotiators for both sides said Sept. 11 changed the deal in unexpected ways, thinking it prudent to come up with arrangements for any eventuality.
But, in the end, the consensus in the room last night was that 17 months was not too long.
“It was worth the wait,” said Town Councillor Mark Sideris.
—Staff writer Lauren R. Dorgan can be reached at dorgan@fas.harvard.edu