"Buckley noted the crime and number of DUIs will increase as a result of the casinos and said he didn’t agree adding police officers and firefighters would prevent those crimes from occurring, but just increase the number of people responding."
Milford casino: Foxwoods makes first offerings
MILFORD —
After hearing studies on the potential social and economic impacts of a proposed casino, a town consultant presented a plan for payments to the police, fire and school departments that would total $2 million initially and $2.8 million annually to soften those impacts.
Foxwoods, which has proposed a $1 billion, 660,000-square-foot resort-casino at the intersection of Interstate 495 and Rte. 16, has agreed to fund staffing increases and equipment for public safety departments and cover an increase in students at the schools, according to Caroline McCarthy, a town consultant from HR&A associates.
Concessions benefitting the police department call for nine new officers, four new dispatchers, two new vehicles and a firing range at an initial cost of $340,000 and an ongoing payment of $1.4 million.
The Fire Department would be bolstered by nine new firefighters. Negotiations to renovate the Birch Street fire station are ongoing. Concessions call for an initial payment of $122,500 for equipment, a possible $1.6 million in negotiation, and an annually payment of $1.1 million.
Based on an estimate of an extra 20 students enrolled in the district, the School Department would get a $121,000 annual payment with a “reopener clause,” should costs prove to be higher.
Steve Gallaway from Gaming Market Advisors gave a presentation on behalf of Foxwoods that covered topics including jobs, schools and crime. He estimated just over 5 percent of the 3,181 staff members at the casino re-locating to town, representing 111 new homebuyers, a quarter of those in
Milford. His estimate concluded a total of 21 additional students in the school system.
McCarthy included another $200,000 for additional administrative costs to the town.
Selectmen had mixed reactions to the proposals, which have not yet been negotiated with their board.
“I don’t know why the consultants are covering us this way. I’m disappointed in some of the output and the timing,” said Selectmen Chairman William Buckley.
Buckley noted the crime and number of DUIs will increase as a result of the casinos and said he didn’t agree adding police officers and firefighters would prevent those crimes from occurring, but just increase the number of people responding.
He also said he wasn’t sure how the figure of $200,000 for the other town departments came from and isn't sure it would be enough.
“I think it’s a nice beginning point,” said Selectman Dino DeBartolomeis. “You have to start somewhere. (The Selectmen) will make the last determination on what goes forward."
DeBartolomeis said he hoped to use most of the $20 million coming to the town in taxes from the casino on decreasing tax bills for homeowners.
"This is a project that affects all the people of Milford, so the average taxpayer should be getting something out of it,” DeBartolomeis said.
Selectman Brian Murray asked to hear from representatives from police and fire departments, who both said they were happy with the proposed sweeteners so far.
In addition, jobs, crime, problem gambling and economic impacts were also discussed in reports from consultants and by residents at the meeting.
Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x946756302/Milford-casino-Foxwoods-makes-first-offerings#ixzz2a6eLB5cW
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