Milford attorney, Gerry Moody, held back the draft of the host agreement from Milford residents stating that the paperwork was protected by attorney/client privilege. WMRC disagreed and obtained the release. The station argued that the draft had been discussed at a meeting of the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission earlier this week and some of its contents had been released. Foxwoods officials also had a copy and the document was circulating through an email chain with Selectmen.
The draft is still NOT on the town website for residents to read.
8/16/2013 - WMRC Obtains a Copy of the Draft Casino Host Agreement
- Click
here to print this information
WMRC has received a copy of the draft
host Foxwoods Casino agreement being negotiated by Selectmen and Town Council
Gerry Moody. It is 28 pages, complete with exhibits and detailed information on
a myriad of issues.
The document was released by Attorney Brian Murray
after WMRC made a request late yesterday afternoon; he released it within
minutes. Chairman Bill Buckley was also asked to look into the matter after our
request was denied by Town Council Gerry Moody, who said the paperwork was
protected by attorney/client privilege; we disagreed, because it had been
discussed and some contents released at a meeting of the Metropolitan Area
Planning Commission earlier this week, and Foxwoods officials had a copy and the
document was circulating around through an email chain with
Selectmen.
Murray released the agreement saying the entire casino process
has been open to the public all along, and now is not the time to begin holding
back important items; he immediately faxed us a copy. Murray said he wants to
make sure residents have all the details they need to make the important
decision.
Last night, Chairman Buckley authorized its release through
Administrator Rick Villani. Buckley agreed with WMRCs assertion that the
document should be released. Murray said the client can waive the privilege, and
thats what he did so residents would know what the document contains.
A
quick review of the document reveals no part of the casino would open until all
the highway improvements are completed, and until a report is finalized that
shows there is enough water for the project.
The most striking part of
the document is that the tax revenue promised by Foxwoods has dropped from $20
million dollars to $18 million dollars annually. The town is also getting a
percentage of money based on revenue generated at the casino. Upfront payments
amount to $15 million dollars in three installments. There will also be a fund
created to eliminate, reduce, or mitigate community impacts and negative impacts
associated with the project, including money to compensate homeowners for a
decline in property values as well as a fund to award grants to owners of
multi-family buildings to be used to pay for improvements.
WMRC has also
learned reports from various town departments, other than police, fire, and the
schools indicate they will need additional staff, equipment, and other items to
cope with the extra workload of a casino, and that is projected to cost about
one million dollars.
We will have much more on this draft agreement on
Monday.
The draft is still NOT on the town website for residents to read.
|
The document was released by Attorney Brian Murray after WMRC made a request late yesterday afternoon; he released it within minutes. Chairman Bill Buckley was also asked to look into the matter after our request was denied by Town Council Gerry Moody, who said the paperwork was protected by attorney/client privilege; we disagreed, because it had been discussed and some contents released at a meeting of the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission earlier this week, and Foxwoods officials had a copy and the document was circulating around through an email chain with Selectmen.
Murray released the agreement saying the entire casino process has been open to the public all along, and now is not the time to begin holding back important items; he immediately faxed us a copy. Murray said he wants to make sure residents have all the details they need to make the important decision.
Last night, Chairman Buckley authorized its release through Administrator Rick Villani. Buckley agreed with WMRCs assertion that the document should be released. Murray said the client can waive the privilege, and thats what he did so residents would know what the document contains.
A quick review of the document reveals no part of the casino would open until all the highway improvements are completed, and until a report is finalized that shows there is enough water for the project.
The most striking part of the document is that the tax revenue promised by Foxwoods has dropped from $20 million dollars to $18 million dollars annually. The town is also getting a percentage of money based on revenue generated at the casino. Upfront payments amount to $15 million dollars in three installments. There will also be a fund created to eliminate, reduce, or mitigate community impacts and negative impacts associated with the project, including money to compensate homeowners for a decline in property values as well as a fund to award grants to owners of multi-family buildings to be used to pay for improvements.
WMRC has also learned reports from various town departments, other than police, fire, and the schools indicate they will need additional staff, equipment, and other items to cope with the extra workload of a casino, and that is projected to cost about one million dollars.
We will have much more on this draft agreement on Monday.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment