Ayup!

No Meeting About Mashpee Tribe Land Claim, But Town Counsel Expresses Little Concern
By: Geoff Spillane
Published: 08/03/12

A provision in the state-tribal compact that calls for the governor to assist the tribe in resolving unsettled title claims for and in and around Mashpee caused concern among town officials and residents, but the initial shock appears to be settling down a bit.

A meeting between the tribe and town officials scheduled for last week was canceled at the last minute and has not been rescheduled. But that is okay, according to Mashpee Town Counsel Patrick J. Costello.

“I have had a discussion with an attorney for the tribe, and based on our discussion, I do not see any imminent threat or concern for the town. There is no need to schedule a meeting until additional specific information is available,” Mr. Costello said, adding that the town feels very comfortable that the intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the tribe remains solid.

Mr. Costello did note that there is a clause in the IGA that states, “Furthermore, nothing herein shall prevent or preclude the tribe and town from engaging in negotiations or transactions subsequent to the date of this agreement regarding the transfer of title to or interest in any town property upon terms mutually acceptable to the parties.”

“Representatives from the Town of Mashpee and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe are in communication. Preliminary conversations have been respectful and productive, and we expect that these open lines of communication and cooperative spirit will continue,” Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Chairman Cedric Cromwell said in a written statement.

Nonetheless, the Mashpee Board of Selectmen will take up the matter in executive session Monday evening. According to the meeting agenda, there will be a discussion about the “purchase or exchange of real property in relation to the compact executed by and between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe on July 12, 2012.”

Town officials have referred all inquiries about the land claim provision in the compact to Mr. Costello.

Tribal council officials have said they are interested in discussing land issues with the town, including the possibility of pursuing town-owned land. Vicechairman Aaron Tobey Jr. said the negotiations are an opportunity to "correct some wrongs."

Mr. Tobey and Mr. Cromwell have repeatedly emphasized a desire to build on the positive relationship between the town government and the tribal council in recent years.

http://www.capenews.net/communities/mashpee/news/2011

Tribal Chairman Says Mashpee Land Claims To Include Town Property
By: Geoff Spillane and Brian H. Kehrl
Published: 07/20/12

Where is the land that Governor Deval L. Patrick has committed to help settle on behalf of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe? Is it South Cape Beach? The Massachusetts Military Reservation? Attaquin Park? Property outside of Mashpee?

The guessing game is on, and all bets are off.

More than a week after the governor and the tribe reached agreement on a compact outlining terms under which the tribe can operate a destination resort and casino in Taunton, blindsided town officials and residents still have little or no information about a land claim provision that was tucked away in the pact.

The signed compact states that the commonwealth will next year use its best efforts to resolve unsettled title claims “involving land and water in and around Mashpee,” with the goal of conveying some publicly-held land and water to the tribe.

To date, there has been no contact between town officials and tribal leaders to discuss the land claims.

The town’s legislative contingent has also been kept in the dark about the issue. State Representative Randy Hunt (R-Sandwich) said that he has not been told of any specific land that may be targeted, nor had he been contacted by Mashpee Town Manager Joyce M. Mason, which he found surprising given the passion surrounding this issue.

“I will vote for the compact, but we should at least have a letter detailing what this side deal is all about, and who it will affect—people need to know and understand what this is all about,” Rep. Hunt said.

Ms. Mason has referred all inquiries to the Boston office of Town Counsel Patrick J. Costello.

A spokesman for State Senator Daniel A. Wolf (D-Harwich) told the Enterprise that his office has not yet been able to obtain any additional information regarding the land claim provision, either.

State Representative David T. Vieira (R-Falmouth) did not return a call for comment.

http://www.capenews.net/communities/mashpee/news/1975