Ashland selectmen officially sign on to anti-casino group
ASHLAND —
Selectmen Wednesday night signed an agreement to join the MetroWest Anti-Casino Coalition and contribute $25,000 to fight the proposed casino in Milford.
At the start of the meeting, Yolanda Greaves was unanimously elected the board’s chairwoman for the next year. Joseph Magnani was re-elected as vice chairman and Steve Mitchell was elected clerk.
"I look forward to a very productive year," said Greaves, who is entering her second year on the board.
Ashland was the last of four communities to sign an intermunicipal agreement to challenge Foxwoods’ $1 billion casino proposal at Rte. 16 and I-495. Holliston, Hopkinton and Medway signed the agreement and collectively set aside $240,000 for the group.
Town Manager Anthony Schiavi said the town is limited as to where the money can come from because the new fiscal year starts July 1. He recommended selectmen ask the Finance Committee to transfer the money after the start of the new fiscal year.
"There is no obligation to do more," Greaves said in regards to adding more money.
Magnani, who was elected the selectmen’s representative on the Coalition, said the town needs to make sure the Milford casino isn’t approved, and if it is they need to make sure they are part of the talks on ways the developer can soften the impact for nearby towns.
"It is an insurance policy," Magnani said. "It’s nice to have."
He said one of Ashland’s biggest concerns should be the increased traffic the casino would bring to Rte. 126, which goes through Ashland and Holliston and becomes part of Rte. 16. Magnani also said he is worried locally owned businesses may lose customers.
Selectmen Mark Juitt, elected to the board last month, questioned why the wording in the agreement indicates the money would be used more for stopping the casino instead of some going to measures that would directly lessen the casino's impact.
"I don’t understand how we can stop it," Juitt said.
At the start of the meeting, Yolanda Greaves was unanimously elected the board’s chairwoman for the next year. Joseph Magnani was re-elected as vice chairman and Steve Mitchell was elected clerk.
"I look forward to a very productive year," said Greaves, who is entering her second year on the board.
Ashland was the last of four communities to sign an intermunicipal agreement to challenge Foxwoods’ $1 billion casino proposal at Rte. 16 and I-495. Holliston, Hopkinton and Medway signed the agreement and collectively set aside $240,000 for the group.
Town Manager Anthony Schiavi said the town is limited as to where the money can come from because the new fiscal year starts July 1. He recommended selectmen ask the Finance Committee to transfer the money after the start of the new fiscal year.
"There is no obligation to do more," Greaves said in regards to adding more money.
Magnani, who was elected the selectmen’s representative on the Coalition, said the town needs to make sure the Milford casino isn’t approved, and if it is they need to make sure they are part of the talks on ways the developer can soften the impact for nearby towns.
"It is an insurance policy," Magnani said. "It’s nice to have."
He said one of Ashland’s biggest concerns should be the increased traffic the casino would bring to Rte. 126, which goes through Ashland and Holliston and becomes part of Rte. 16. Magnani also said he is worried locally owned businesses may lose customers.
Selectmen Mark Juitt, elected to the board last month, questioned why the wording in the agreement indicates the money would be used more for stopping the casino instead of some going to measures that would directly lessen the casino's impact.
"I don’t understand how we can stop it," Juitt said.
Read more: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x1360791236/Ashland-selectmen-officially-sign-on-to-anti-casino-group#ixzz2VWgAy1WM
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