Tewksbury Residents Wary of Casino proposal
Traffic, gambling, and crime top list of concerns raised at first public meeting
Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway in Bangor, ME, was referenced multiple times by PNG executives during TuesdayÕs presentation at the Board of Selectmen meeting. Source: Penn National Gaming, Inc. website
Posted: Saturday, July 20, 2013 8:56 am
Tewksbury Residents Wary of Casino proposal
By Jon Bishop Crier Correspondent
Woburn Daily Times, Inc.
TEWKSBURY—Penn National Gaming (PNG), a gambling company based out of Pennsylvania, wants to build a more than $200 million slots-only casino at Ames Pond.
Representatives predict more than $3 million in tax revenue for the town annually from 1,250 slot machines (the statutory limit), dining options, bars, and free parking in a companion garage. The developer promises more than 500 casino-related jobs, plus 1,000 more for construction. The revenue generated, according to Town Manager Richard Montuori, would go toward infrastructure projects.
Residents will vote their choice on the proposal in early September, but those that spoke Tuesday night remained underwhelmed.
In an interview Monday with Town Manager Richard Montuori and Community Development Director Steve Sadwick, Montuori stated that PNG had started scouting sites in Tewksbury in late May as part of a search along the 495 corridor. The firm decided on the Ames Pond parcel within the last two weeks. The parcel is currently owned by Legatt McCall Properties, a real estate management firm based in Boston. Montuori also reached out to leaders in Andover and Lowell to inform them of the proposal. Alex Vispoli, Chairman of the Andover Board of Selectmen, attended Tuesday’s meeting.
PNG’s predominant brand, Hollywood Casino, reflects “the glamour and sophistication” of bygone days in Los Angeles’s most famous neighborhood, says the firm. However, each casino is designed to specifically fit the local community through architectural cues, custom artwork, and desired facilities.
Representatives from Penn National, who spoke at the Board of Selectmen meeting Tuesday night, said that they currently don’t yet have a design plan. They first want input from residents. To that end the company launched a website during the Selectmen meeting, tweeting out photos of the presentation as it happened with a feed on the site, at
www.HollywoodCasinoTewksbury.com.
Eric Schippers, the Senior Vice President for Public Affairs, said that this is a process.
“This is the start. We hope to continue the conversation,” he said. On Monday, in a interview Schippers told the Crier that when PNG seeks development in an emerging market, an active education campaign about the firm and what it does begins within the community and with neighbors.
Schippers said that the company “seeks local partnerships” and prides itself on its sterling reputation. They utilize cross-marking to promote other local businesses alongside their own, and they are fond of charity work and giving back to their local communities outside tax revenues According to Schippers, they have $2.8 billion in annual revenue, and they are recognized as a fast-growing company.
“We are judged by our actions,” he said. “We are very proud of our track record.”
And municipal officials in the twenty-one communities in which they are located have praised the company.
“Commitment made and commitment kept is what makes Penn National who they are,” said Michael Bell, Mayor of Toledo, OH, and noted in the presentation to Selectmen.
Noel Williams, the President of the Columbus, Ohio NAACP, noted their corporate integrity.
“That matters,” she said.
It has mattered in Bangor, ME, where the casino, according to a recent article in the Bangor Daily News, has been a “catalyst for development.”
Steve Snyder, the Senior Vice President for Corporate Development, said that a place like Tewksbury will generate revenue. It will help them “meet and exceed the expectations” put forth by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. And the location, near interstate 495 on the edge of town and set back from Andover Street, can minimize resident impact.
And, of course, he said they want to be open with residents.
“This is going to be—and must be—a transparent process,” he said.
Selectmen asked about crime rate, traffic, public safety, and impact on local businesses.
Crime, according to the presentation, would be lowered, as the casino would provide jobs. The facility would have its own first responders and security personnel.
Traffic impacts could be substantial. Expected to run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, representatives estimate the facility could attract 4,000 to 5,000 cars per weekend day for the 1,250 slot machines planned.
But those who attended the meeting were not pleased.
Residents expressed displeasure with the potential crime increase, the traffic, the location, and the problems that gambling might cause.
Kevin Hanson called the presentation “a lot of smoke and mirrors.”
Deborah Shipp, a pastor at the Tewksbury Methodist Church, agreed.
“This is not a good thing for us,” she said. She believed the announcement to be rushed.
Mark Johnson said that he was worried about the ramifications of a potential closure should the casino fail down the road.
“I’m afraid we’re going to get caught with the bill,” he said.
He then cautioned officials.
“Think carefully before you sign that agreement. The town is watching,” he said.
Rick Menard, the former candidate for Selectman, wondered if a casino in Tewksbury could properly compete with the proposed Steve Wynn-developed project in Everett and also asked selectmen if a casino matched with previous plans to bring more biotechnology companies to town.
After residents had finished, Representative Jim Miceli, who supported casino gambling legislation, offered his commentary.
“Once you do this, you can’t go back,” he said. “You change the makeup of the town forever.”
He said that it would change from a small New England town to “a mecca in this area.”
“The bottom line: I think it’s a mistake,” he said. “I honestly don’t think it’s a windfall.”
Chairman Scott Wilson thanked residents, and he said that they should begin to educate themselves in order to make a decision.
The casino, he said, “Is something we should investigate.”
“I know the Board understands the economic benefit,” he said.
Wilson said that he looks forward to listening to concerns and questions, noting that Penn National will, too.
“My ears are open,” he said.
PNG is opening an office in Tewksbury in the next few days. Selectman Jim Wentworth also stated that he would help coordinate meetings between residents and PNG. Selectmen will meet again Thursday night as town and PNG representatives work on a development agreement to put before voters in the next few weeks.
Though some residents that spoke expressed a desire for the Selectmen to squash the project preemptively, members were consistent that residents have a chance to vote on it. Wilson cited the town charter process where residents spoke loud and clear about their desire to be heard whenever major changes are proposed in town. The decision remains too important for Selectmen to decide for residents one way or another.
http://homenewshere.com/tewksbury_town_crier/news/article_a225960a-f072-11e2-a979-001a4bcf887a.html
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