Residents' concerns spur meeting with casino panel
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has agreed to meet with officials from Lakeville, Berkley and Middleboro about a proposed Mashpee Wampanoag casino in Taunton.
During the meeting Tuesday, broadcast by live stream on the commission's website, Chairman Stephen Crosby said state Rep. Keiko Orrall, R-Lakeville, had requested the meeting because of her constituents' concerns.
Compact negotiations with the Wampanoag tribe are being handled by Gov. Deval Patrick's office, however, and there is little input provided for the commission in the state law that authorizes three casinos and a single slot parlor in Massachusetts.
"I'm not sure that we can give any substantive answers to questions that are likely to arise," commissioner James McHugh said. "On the other hand, it doesn't hurt to talk to people as long as they understand we don't have the power at the moment."
Crosby said he will call Orrall and explain the situation and make sure expectations are clear.
"If they are and it will still be constructive to talk, then we'd be happy to do that," he said.
Orrall, who also represents part of Taunton, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Meanwhile, consultants for the commission have recommended paying an executive director close to $180,000 per year. The consultants provided a report on what executive directors earn in four other states with legalized casinos, ranging from $134,000 in New Jersey to $180,000 paid by Pennsylvania.
Consultant Robert Carroll of Michael & Carroll recommended paying near the higher end of the scale because of the responsibility given to the state commission.
Pennsylvania has 11 gambling facilities, which range from so-called racinos — slots at race tracks — to full-scale casinos.
Crosby requested more background information from the consultants to justify the salary. Crosby earns $150,000 as the commission's chairman and the other four commissioners are paid $112,500 per year.
Meanwhile, the commission is interviewing four firms that want to conduct the search for a full-time executive director. Commissioner Enrique Zuniga, who is overseeing the procurement process, said he hopes to recommend a firm to the commission at its meeting Monday.
That meeting is a day earlier than the commission's typical weekly meetings because of the Fourth of July holiday. The commission voted unanimously to allow Crosby, who will be away next week, to participate in the meeting by telephone.
McHugh will serve as chairman for that meeting.
In other business, the commission also discussed the possibility of hiring an ombudsman to help both developers and town governments through the process with the commission, as well as with other state regulatory agencies. Though Crosby talked about hiring a consultant for the position, other commissioners appeared to be leaning toward hiring a commission employee but not before a job description is in place for the role.
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