Casino-Free Milford

In a 14-page letter, Hopkinton through attorney J. Raymond Miyares criticized 61 aspects of the proposed regulations. In particular, the town said the regulations rely on the casino applicants to decide which communities will be designated under the law as "surrounding communities," which gives the town greater status in the review and access to funds to evaluate the development impacts. 

Gaming Commission Hears from Area Towns, Casino Applicants

Towns bordering Milford were among those who submitted comments by Friday to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission on its proposed process for reviewing resort casino applications.

By Mary MacDonald

May 3, 2013
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Hopkinton and Medway have expressed strong concern that the state is not adequately protecting communities near proposed resort casino sites. The comments, made to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, as part of a public hearing on its proposed process for evaluating resort casino applications, were released Friday.

In addition, state Sen. Karen Spilka, state Rep. Carolyn Dykema and Rep. Jeffrey Roy — whose districts include Holliston, Hopkinton, Ashland, Franklin and Medway — have sent a letter that expresses concern about the communities' access to expertise to evaulate the proposal for Milford, and a commission timeline that could compress the review.

Foxwoods Massachusetts, which is seeking a license for a resort casino near I-495 in Milford, did not submit comments at the public hearing on the proposed Phase 2 regulations, held at three locations in Massachusetts. The regulations include descriptions of the process for applicants to submit their final proposals, and the process for addressing development impacts on host towns and surrounding communities.

Both of the competitors for the resort casino license in the greater Boston region — Wynn Resorts and Suffolk Downs/Ceasars Entertainment — submitted feedback in writing.

In a 14-page letter, Hopkinton through attorney J. Raymond Miyares criticized 61 aspects of the proposed regulations. In particular, the town said the regulations rely on the casino applicants to decide which communities will be designated under the law as "surrounding communities," which gives the town greater status in the review and access to funds to evaulate the development impacts.
"Section 125.01(a) continues to provide that a city or town will qualify as a surrounding community if it is so identifed in [a Phase 2] application," Miyares said. "Hopkinton previously commented that this section should be eliminated because it creates a perverse incentive: to limit the number of cities and towns that are discussed in the ... application. The town is dismayed that the commission kept this incentive in place."

Hopkinton wants all cities and towns within 5 miles of a proposed casino to be automatically designated as surrounding communities.

Medway, through its Board of Selectmen chairman, said the town had reached out to the developer of the Milford casino and received no acknowledgment.

"... Leading us to conclude, as time continues to pass, that the applicant designation avenue is more likely than not being foreclosed upon for us and other prospective surrounding communities in the region," wrote Andrew Espinosa, chairman of the Medway Selectmen.

The regulations do not adequately address the surrounding communities' ability to finance the research and studies that would be required to evaulate the anticipated impact of the casino, Espinosa wrote. And if no money is made available by the developer ahead of its filing the Phase 2 application, the towns' only option would be to finance its own studies.

"The proposed language that would give the Commission latitude to exceed the $50,000 for potential disbursements in Community Disbursements, ... is not helpful to towns that have made no progress in communication with the developer," Espinosa wrote. "And such funds that may be available to prospective surrounding communities 30 days following the execution of a host agreement is still too late for Medway to prepare an acceptable response to the commission concerning impacts."

The so-called Phase 2 applications can be made by developers once they pass an initial state review that looks at their financial backgrounds and business histories, and once they have negotiated a host agreement with the site town. Completed applications have to address 57 elements, and show proof that the community has supported the project in a referendum vote.

The state's background investigations into developers and their financial backers began in late January, and is considered the Phase 1 process.

Under Phase 2 applications, developers need to demonstrate they "have thought broadly and creatively about creating an innovative and unique gaming establishment" that provides a "significant and lasting benefit to the residents of the host community, the surrounding communities, the region and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts."

Fifty-seven elements have to be addressed by developers, including:

• a copy of the host community agreement, which includes provisions for a community impact fee.
• information demonstrating how the developer will address impact and mitigation concerns.
• a listing of the infrastructure costs of the host town resulting from the construction and operation of a casino, and a statement to commit to a "community mitigation plan."
• proof of a positive vote in the host town in a referendum on the casino.
• a list of the communities, or community, the developer believes to be a "surrouding community."
• information explaining how the applicant will address surrounding community impacts.
• a description and documentation of public outreach efforts made to local communities.
• clear and convincing evidence of financial stability, including tax returns and other reports filed by government agencies and personal accounting check records and ledgers.

Related Topics:Crossroads Massachusetts, Foxwoods Massachusetts, Milford Casino, and massachusetts gaming commission

http://milford-ma.patch.com/articles/gaming-commission-hears-from-area-towns-casino-applicants-on-proposed-regulations

 

Gambling Commission Falls Down on Job

Casino-Free Milford

"We believe that (the Mass. Gaming Commissioners) are not fulfilling their claims that this process would be both fair and transparent for all affected parties," selectmen Chairman Ben Palleiko said in a press release from the town.

Hopkinton offers its two cents on casino proposal
By Laura Krantz/Daily News staff

The MetroWest Daily News

Posted May 03, 2013

 

HOPKINTON —

Officials Wednesday submitted 14 pages of comments to the state agency overseeing the licensing of three casinos, advocating for more local control as a Milford casino proposal looms.

Town attorney Ray Miyares provided a total of 57 comments, many of which related to what he deemed shortcomings in the Massachusetts Gaming Commission’s proposed regulations, specifically regarding protections for towns that could be affected.

Hopkinton officials and many residents are working vigorously to stymie developer FCX LLC’s proposal for a casino in Milford. But if the state does allow a casino at the intersection of I-495 and Rte. 16, local officials want the most safeguards possible.

Miyares’ comments respond to the Gam[bl]ing Commission’s request for feedback as it drafts regulations for Phase 2 of the gaming regulations. The second phase covers topics including host community agreements, the definition of surrounding communities and surrounding community agreements.

A gam[bl]ing commission public hearing is scheduled for today in Boston.

Miyares asked for stronger language about actions developers must take, such as visiting surrounding communities and establishing agreements with them.

His comments say communities, not the commission, deserve more say on whether potential positive aspects of a casino could outweigh negative ones.

"We believe that (the Mass. Gaming Commissioners) are not fulfilling their claims that this process would be both fair and transparent for all affected parties," selectmen Chairman Ben Palleiko said in a press release from the town.

He said the commission is allowing "little accountability for the proponents and even less input from the general public who will be affected most by these facilities."

Specifically, Palleiko said the commission should not sacrifice the vibrancy of the local community and economy for "purported good of the Commonwealth."

 

Read more: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x715752620/Hopkinton-offers-its-two-cents-on-casino-proposal#ixzz2SGLZqdjV

Many Firmly Opposed to Expanded Gaming Bill

Folks may support Slot Barn legislation that just passed the House on September 14th, until the potential of it being in the backyard appears. NIMBY!

Former Senator Sue Tucker called it right.

Many Firmly Opposed to Expanded Gaming Bill
The Hopkinton Board of Selectmen held the first of several public hearings on the expanded gaming bill and the effects its' passage would have on Hopkinton.

By Faith Mayer

The crowd was small, but the opinions from those who attended were large.

The fifteen or so in attendance as well as all five selectmen are firmly against an expanded gaming bill that could potentially bring a casino to Milford. There was not one voice in the room in favor of the bill's passage.

"I have been oppossed to casino gambling for years," Selectman Brian Herr said. "This hasn't and won't change."

Selectman Benjamin Palleiko is also firmly opposed noting that he has three main reasons for his feelings, but one that sticks out.

"The bill is proposed as a way to create jobs," Palleiko said. "That is not the case. This is all about money and the state making more of it. I am terribly troubled that this seems to be a fait accompli and there is no iron clad protection for us and towns like us."

Representative, Carolyn Dykema noted that 81 votes are needed for this bill to pass the house. She believes today, that is the case.

"I will vote against it," Dykema said. "But I believe there are 81, if not more than 81 who will vote in favor. My focus is on making sure that our concerns around mitigation are heard by the licensing board."

Former Chairman of the Selectmen RJ Dourney said that as a local business owner he will organize a group and make a lot of noise against this.

"We will have all of the down side and none of the up side," Dourney said. "Our pride of community will be eroded. We must protect ourselves from the surrounding communities. If East Boston wants gaming, let them have it. We are not going to be quiet neighbors."

Nancy Barron agrees.

"I think gambling destroys lives,' Barron said. "I thought Las Vegas was horrible and I see no good coming of this. I will fight it, but if it comes to pass, I will put my house on the market and leave. No good can come of this, no good at all."

Mary Murphy, owner of Hooray for Books is also strongly opposed.

"We are better than that,"Murphy said. "I am extremely distressed that this seems to be a done deal. We are better than a casino. Go back, Carolyn and be the voice of reason."

If the bill does pass the next step will be for it to go to the governor for a signature. From there a licensing board will be formed and they will be the ones to hear community concerns.

"I will be very vocal with the licensing board as they are the ones who will hear us," Dykema said.

Many are astounded that we have come from the Massachusetts miracle to this.

"There is no value socially, economically or culturally," Chairman of the Selectmen Todd Cestari said. "We seem to have come to a period where we are not making anything. We produce less and this is another example of jumpstarting the economy without a tangible good. I also feel this is another tax on the poor, as it is not the rich who are in the casinos gambling."
Dymeka strongly encouraged all in attendance and in the community to reach out to their legislatures and tell them how opposed they are to this bill's passage.

"There is a lot of public support for this bill," Dykema said. "You need to use your voice to reach out to your friends and your networks."

The selectmen are expected to hold other forums on this topic in the coming weeks.