Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Boxboro selectmen reject host agreement for proposed slots parlor
Boxboro board kills slots proposal
By John J. Monahan TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
BOSTON — Boxboro selectmen killed a proposal for a 1,250-machine slot parlor, voting 4-1 not to negotiate a host agreement with a Maryland company that was one of four competing for a single state slot parlor license to be awarded later this year.
Three remaining proposals include developments proposed in Worcester and at the Raynham and Plainridge race tracks. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is planning to award the slot license for one slot parlor in October.
Boxboro Selectman Chairman Leslie Fox said a majority of the board and an overwhelming majority of residents opposed the plan, with many concluding the slots casino that would be built off of Interstate 495 at a former Holiday Inn, would change the character of the town.
Mr. Fox said in an interview Tuesday the town made quick work of the proposal that was first proposed informally to town officials last month, largely because of widespread opposition voiced by residents through online petitions, e-mails and phone calls to selectmen.
He said the company presented the town with "glossy" conceptual drawings and a general description of plans to include restaurants and other amenities in the casino, on April 22.
After that meeting he said selectmen took "the extra step" of asking residents to contact them with their views on the proposal, and comments and e-mails ran about 88 percent against the idea. About 12 percent, he said, were unsure of whether they would support a slot parlor.
"We got over 200 e-mails running very strongly against. Some said 'Tell these guys to go away now,' and some had very well developed reasons," to oppose it, he said.
"Given the sentiment expressed so far, and the opinions of the board, we didn't think it had a chance of success and a number of us thought it would be bad for the town," Mr. Fox said. He said they concluded it would likely fail at a town meeting or if put to a referendum. As a result, he said, "We thought it would be a waste of our town's time and energy to pursue it," further.
He said he agreed with the sentiment that the casino would alter the character of the town, which he said has attracted residents, including its rural nature and an excellent school system.
"It just seemed like it would undermine the value and culture of the town that make it a nice place to live," Mr. Fox said.
Beyond that he said he views gaming as a regressive form of taxation and said the board concluded the jobs it would bring, "would not be the kind of jobs we would expect to see in Boxboro because they would be low-end casino jobs."
Selectman Vincent Amoroso said the prospect of a slots parlor also presented concerns that the state may later expand that license to a full service casino with table games as has happened in other states. "Changing the character of the town was an issue for me as well," he said.
"I didn't think we could afford a slots casino," he said, considering the impact it could have on property values and increases in the cost of town services. "If it turned, the sum total of increased costs and lost property values would exceed revenue from the gambling operation, we would lose money," Mr. Amoroso said.
With 1,250 slot machines they were estimating about 2,000 people a day and that would create a huge amount of traffic," he said. Moreover he said he was also worried about an increase in crime and social problems from problem gamblers. "This was not a difficult call," Mr. Amoroso said.
Mr. Fox said the one vote for the proposal to negotiate a host agreement with the developer, for possible town approval later, was based on an interest in examining the proposal further and not open support for the casino.
A Cordish Company executive told the Boston Globe today that the company will remain in the hunt for the slots casino.
“We have other options we have been exploring and will continue to compete vigorously for the (slot parlor) license,” Joe Weinberg, managing partner for Cordish, said in an email.
http://www.telegram.com/article/20130514/MOST_RECENT/305149608/1116
Three remaining proposals include developments proposed in Worcester and at the Raynham and Plainridge race tracks. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is planning to award the slot license for one slot parlor in October.
Boxboro Selectman Chairman Leslie Fox said a majority of the board and an overwhelming majority of residents opposed the plan, with many concluding the slots casino that would be built off of Interstate 495 at a former Holiday Inn, would change the character of the town.
Mr. Fox said in an interview Tuesday the town made quick work of the proposal that was first proposed informally to town officials last month, largely because of widespread opposition voiced by residents through online petitions, e-mails and phone calls to selectmen.
He said the company presented the town with "glossy" conceptual drawings and a general description of plans to include restaurants and other amenities in the casino, on April 22.
After that meeting he said selectmen took "the extra step" of asking residents to contact them with their views on the proposal, and comments and e-mails ran about 88 percent against the idea. About 12 percent, he said, were unsure of whether they would support a slot parlor.
"We got over 200 e-mails running very strongly against. Some said 'Tell these guys to go away now,' and some had very well developed reasons," to oppose it, he said.
"Given the sentiment expressed so far, and the opinions of the board, we didn't think it had a chance of success and a number of us thought it would be bad for the town," Mr. Fox said. He said they concluded it would likely fail at a town meeting or if put to a referendum. As a result, he said, "We thought it would be a waste of our town's time and energy to pursue it," further.
He said he agreed with the sentiment that the casino would alter the character of the town, which he said has attracted residents, including its rural nature and an excellent school system.
"It just seemed like it would undermine the value and culture of the town that make it a nice place to live," Mr. Fox said.
Beyond that he said he views gaming as a regressive form of taxation and said the board concluded the jobs it would bring, "would not be the kind of jobs we would expect to see in Boxboro because they would be low-end casino jobs."
Selectman Vincent Amoroso said the prospect of a slots parlor also presented concerns that the state may later expand that license to a full service casino with table games as has happened in other states. "Changing the character of the town was an issue for me as well," he said.
"I didn't think we could afford a slots casino," he said, considering the impact it could have on property values and increases in the cost of town services. "If it turned, the sum total of increased costs and lost property values would exceed revenue from the gambling operation, we would lose money," Mr. Amoroso said.
With 1,250 slot machines they were estimating about 2,000 people a day and that would create a huge amount of traffic," he said. Moreover he said he was also worried about an increase in crime and social problems from problem gamblers. "This was not a difficult call," Mr. Amoroso said.
Mr. Fox said the one vote for the proposal to negotiate a host agreement with the developer, for possible town approval later, was based on an interest in examining the proposal further and not open support for the casino.
A Cordish Company executive told the Boston Globe today that the company will remain in the hunt for the slots casino.
“We have other options we have been exploring and will continue to compete vigorously for the (slot parlor) license,” Joe Weinberg, managing partner for Cordish, said in an email.
http://www.telegram.com/article/20130514/MOST_RECENT/305149608/1116
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