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Governor takes Middleboro’s request in dealing with Mashpee Wampanoag tribe under advisement
Town wants tribe to resolve issues with them before negotiating casino deal elsewhere
By Eileen Reece
enterprise correspondent
Posted Apr 11, 2012
MIDDLEBORO —
Gov. Deval Patrick is taking under advisement the selectmen’s request to cease any negotiations with the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe until the tribe resolves its intergovernmental agreement with the town.
Selectmen sent a letter to Patrick in March asking that he insist the tribe resolve its differences with the town and to cease negotiations on the tribe’s plans to build a casino on land near Route 24 in Taunton.
E. Abim Thomas, deputy chief legal counsel to the governor, sent a letter to selectmen on March 29 stating he was looking into the request.
“At Gov. Patrick’s direction, I have asked our outside counsel to be in touch directly with Chairman Rullo so that they can fully understand your request. After they complete their research, they will advise my office on a proper course of action,” Thomas said in his letter.
Thomas concluded his letter stating: “I appreciate your concern and I know that the Selectmen are looking out for the best interest of Middleborough.”
Selectmen said the tribe stopped making its mitigation planning payments to the town and the town froze all planning and grant applications for more than five years.
The tribe maintains it has no contractual obligations with the town, and stated its position in a March 8 letter to selectmen from their attorney, Howard M. Cooper of Todd & Weld.
Selectmen plan to meet with the town’s legislative delegation at 7 tonight at Town Hall and get their support for the effort.
Invited to the meeting are state Reps. Keiko Orrall, Thomas J. Calter, William M. Strauss, and state Sen. Marc R. Pacheco.
Selectmen discussed the matter Monday when Pacheco attended their meeting, telling them he could not attend tonight’s meeting.
Pacheco said he believed the governor’s letter was encouraging as it indicates “he is going to look at the contract.”
Pacheco said he is willing to write a letter to the governor in support of Middleboro.
“The legal obligation to the town should be met,” said Pacheco but added before he submitted the letter he would have it reviewed by the ethics commission and legal counsel since he represents both Middleboro and Taunton.
In other action, selectmen:
Appointed temporary Sgt. John H. Graham to permanent sergeant;
Appointed five seasonal police officers to beef up patrol in the downtown area from May 1 to Sept. 13. Appointed were Anthony J. Keaney, Boaz S. McMahon, Harold H. Penney, Andrew C. Sederquist and Robert A. Stephanian, who are Middleboro residents and current auxiliary officers.
Heard from Water Superintendent Joseph M. Silva that fluctuations in water pressure in town may be affected until the end of May while the department undertakes a water quality improvement project at one of the water storage tanks. The water department also announced that mandatory water restrictions will be in place from May 1 through Sept. 30.
Reorganized after Saturday’s town election, in which Selectman Stephen J. McKinnon was re-elected. Selectmen Chairman Alfred P. Rullo Jr. received a unanimous vote to continue as chairman. Selectman Allin Frawley was unanimously voted in as vice chairman which was previously held by McKinnon.
Voted to give a 3 percent pay raise to their confidential secretary, Jacqueline Shanley, effective July 1.
Read more: http://www.enterprisenews.com/topstories/x383285282/Governor-takes-Middleboro-s-request-in-dealing-with-Mashpee-Wampanoag-tribe-under-advisement#ixzz1s1xn9Rc5
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