Wampanoag support Taunton casino amendment
MASHPEE — The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council voted Thursday night to support an amendment to the tribe's casino deal with the city of Taunton, according to a spokeswoman for the tribal council.
The amendment makes it clear that if the tribe decides to build on land other than the 146 acres it has under control in the Liberty and Union Industrial Park, it will compensate the city more than the $8 million per year already agreed to in their pact.
Taunton Mayor Thomas Hoye Jr. sought the amendment after learning that more than 100 acres of land where Silver City Galleria mall is located were included in the compact approved between the tribe and Gov. Deval Patrick.
Although the tribe does not have the land under agreement and isn't actively negotiating to purchase the mall land, it was included in the compact in case that changes in the future. The land is not part of the tribe's application with the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs to have land taken into trust for an initial reservation, tribal council Chairman Cedric Cromwell told the Times this week.
Hoye and city leaders were surprised that the mall land was included, although the mayor has long believed the infrastructure already in place at Silver City Galleria would be ideal for a casino.
The tribal council approved the amendment 8-1 with one abstention.
Two days earlier, the Taunton City Council approved it unanimously. City leaders also have requested a copy of the tribe's application to have land taken into trust, as well as a meeting with Cromwell for an update on the tribe's progress in seeking federal approvals for a casino.
Hoye and Cromwell said in separate interviews this week that the tribe and city partnership remains strong, despite the hiccup over the mall land.
GEORGE BRENNAN
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