Plainridge slots hearing packs the house
Posted: Friday, March 22, 2013
BY JIM HAND SUN CHRONICLE STAFF
At the same time, critics warned that expanded gambling would bring dire social consequences, including drug abuse, broken families and strains on local schools.
The critics, however, were vastly outnumbered at the meeting, which long-time residents said was one of the largest in recent town history.
A show of hands indicated that the crowd of about 150 people at the Wood School was overwhelmingly in favor of the racetrack getting a state license for 1,250 slot machines.
But, many of the supporters were from out of town, and will have no say in the matter if the slots question goes before Plainville voters.
Selectman Rob Rose estimated that at least half the people at the hearing were not from Plainville.
The back wall of the school gymnasium was lined with men wearing T-shirts from a carpenters union. Several of the speakers at the forum identified themselves as horsemen who do business with the track.
Dozens wore stickers on their chest stating "I support Plainridge."
The horsemen said slot machines will mean larger purses for harness racing at Plainridge and that will help horse owners, trainers, grooms and farms.
Plainridge President Gary Piontkowski estimated after the hearing that purses at Plainridge would increase by $8 million to $9 million through funding from a 9 percent tax on the slot machines.
He has previously said the track would have to close without the added revenue from slot machines.
Roger Farrar of Plainville said he owns a 49-acre horse farm on Cross Street.
The farm is dependent on stable rent paid by owners who race their horses at Plainridge, he said.
If the track closes because it does not get slot machines, he said he would likely have to develop his farmland, something he does not want to do.
Mike Perpall of Holliston said he once had 15 to 20 horses races at Plainridge, but because the industry is slumping, he has cut back to two or three horses.
With the higher purses, he said he would be willing to expand again, and that will create jobs for more trainers and grooms.
Paul Fontaine of Rhode Island estimated he spends $100,000 a year in the Plainville area for rent for his horses and salaries for grooms and trainers. That financial impact will be lost if the track closes.
Others said building a slot machine parlor at Plainridge will bring needed jobs to a construction industry suffering with a 30 percent unemployment rate.
A spokesman for the carpenters union said the project would create 40 to 60 jobs for his members.
But, a few residents also spoke out against expanded gambling, and asked a consultant hired by the town to look deeply into the social problems it would cause.
Erin Earnest, who said she lives two miles from Plainridge, said slot machines will forever change the sense of community in the area and bring more crime, drugs and traffic to the area.
She also said, from what she has read, gambling halls are often sold to foreign companies after they are built.
Mary-Ann Greanier, who lives near the track, asked the consultant to look into how gambling will affect property values of homes near the slots parlor.
She said she fears "our town will be left holding the bag" when it comes to the cost of dealing with social problems.
Furthermore, she said, jobs created at the slot parlor are likely to be low wage jobs that do not support a family.
Rick Hamilton, who also lives near the track, asked the consultant, Cummings and Associates, to study the impact expanded gambling will have on his neighborhood, which is likely "to shoulder more of the burden."
Will Cummings, president of the consulting firm, said his group will be reporting back to the town as it develops its estimates on revenue, impact on municipal services, social problems and how likely the track's business plan is to work.
The consultant's findings will be used by selectmen in negotiating a host community agreement with Plainridge for slot machines, and then the issue will be put to a vote in a town referendum.
A date for a vote has not yet been set.
http://www.thesunchronicle.com/news/local_news/plainridge-slots-hearing-packs-the-house/article_6442ba81-c4d2-59f9-9ba1-ad9182424c92.html
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