Neighbors preparing case against Milford casino plan
By Ellen Ishkanian
Globe Correspondent
Residents in Holliston are preparing for a fight against a proposed casino along Interstate 495, just over the border in Milford, the way a defense or prosecution team would get ready for trial.
As about 45 town residents listened last week, Board of Selectmen chairman Jay Marsden outlined a strategy that will include small research groups working over the course of the next nine months to a year perfecting arguments showing how surrounding communities would be hurt by the proposed $850 million Crossroads Resort casino, hotel, and retail complex.
Page 2 of 2 --Many residents who attended last week’s strategy session in Holliston said they are willing to work on a committee.
“I’m absolutely ready,’’ said Marilyn Horn. The casino complex “will totally destroy Holliston if it is allowed to be built. We really have to do everything we can to keep this out of our area.’’
Residents also voiced frustration that while they will feel the impact of the development, they will have no direct say in the decision. The law stipulates that only residents of the city or town where the casino will be sited have the ability to approve or reject a proposal.
“It is totally unfair that we don’t get a vote in this. It is appalling,’’ Horn said.
Holliston officials said they are considering placing a nonbinding referendum question about the casino on the November presidential election ballot to gauge the level of opposition to the Milford proposal.
Nunes said he expects to present his final plans to the Milford Board of Selectmen and then Town Meeting over the next three to four months, to get their reaction before a vote goes before the town in a general election.
Other sites vying for the single casino license available between Boston and Worcester include Suffolk Downs in East Boston, and a proposed complex near Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
The Board of Selectmen in Foxborough has already taken a vote indicating its opposition to a casino there, and the Planning Board in bordering Norfolk also voted unanimously to oppose the proposal.
While a vote in an adjacent town cannot stop a casino from being built, the Gaming Commission is required to consider relative support and opposition from neighboring communities. In addition, surrounding towns can ask the commission to require the developer to pay for additional studies to assess the impact of the proposal.
“Mitigation funds would pay the check for these services after the town presumably hired the consultant,’’ said state Representative Carolyn Dykema, a Holliston Democrat who opposed the casino legislation.
She said lobbying efforts on behalf of the casino industry and proposed casinos have already begun on Beacon Hill.
It may soon begin from the opposing side as well. Holliston Selectman Jay Leary said he has had conversations with elected officials from neighboring towns about getting together to hire a professional public relations or lobbying firm to spearhead the opposition effort.
But, Marsden cautioned, the research, mock trials, and meetings are taking place in preparation of something that may never happen.
If voters in Milford reject the casino plans or the developer decides against moving forward with the proposal for whatever reason, all the work will have been unnecessary.
“It’s a success if you never have to go to trial,’’ Marsden said.
The proposal’s developer, David Nunes, will have to make his case to the state Gaming Commission that the Milford site will boost jobs, development, and revenue in the area, Marsden said. “We have to go in and argue the other side,’’ he said.
“We have to make our case that this is a terrible location, and that it is not going to do what they say it will.’’
Over the next few weeks, Marsden said, a list of volunteers will be circulated by e-mail, working groups will be established, and research will begin. “We’ll put together presentations that address each issue, and we’ll go through a dry run, a mock trial, so to speak,’’ he said.
Nunes, however, said the final plans won’t be presented to the Milford Board of Selectmen for another three to four months.
“It’s hard to try and dispel something before there is a finalized plan and they see all the dynamics that are going into it,’’ he said in a telephone interview after the Holliston meeting.
Initial plans include a 176,000-square-foot gambling floor, a 350-room hotel, and 60,000 square feet of retail shops and restaurant space.
Marsden said a list of specific areas of concern to be researched is still being formulated, but many residents talked about how increased traffic would change the character of Holliston. They said drivers traveling from points east to gamble in Milford would clog an already heavily traveled Route 16.
Nunes, however, said the only access to the casino complex from Route 16 would be for emergency use. “Police and fire vehicles are the only ones that will be able to use that road,’’ he said.
The only public access to the complex, he said, would be from an offramp that would be added to I-495. He said he has already had conversations with officials from the state Department of Transportation’s Highway Division, the Federal Highway Administration, and congressional representatives.
“We know exactly how we are going to do this,’’ Nunes said.
The list of Holliston objections will go beyond Route 16 traffic concerns, however, and are expected to include the complex’s potential impact on water availability in a town reliant on wells, infrastructure, public safety, school enrollment, property values, the environment, and small area businesses.
Showing posts with label Norfolk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Norfolk. Show all posts
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
Neighbors preparing case against Milford casino plan
Neighbors preparing case against Milford casino plan
By Ellen Ishkanian
Globe Correspondent
HOLLISTON Residents in Holliston are preparing for a fight against a proposed casino along Interstate 495, just over the border in Milford, the way a defense or prosecution team would get ready for trial.
As about 45 town residents listened last week, Board of Selectmen chairman Jay Marsden outlined a strategy that will include small research groups working over the course of the next nine months to a year perfecting arguments showing how surrounding communities would be hurt by the proposed $850 million Crossroads Resort casino, hotel, and retail complex.
The proposal’s developer, David Nunes, will have to make his case to the state Gaming Commission that the Milford site will boost jobs, development, and revenue in the area, Marsden said. “We have to go in and argue the other side,’’ he said.
“We have to make our case that this is a terrible location, and that it is not going to do what they say it will.’’
Over the next few weeks, Marsden said, a list of volunteers will be circulated by e-mail, working groups will be established, and research will begin. “We’ll put together presentations that address each issue, and we’ll go through a dry run, a mock trial, so to speak,’’ he said.
Nunes, however, said the final plans won’t be presented to the Milford Board of Selectmen for another three to four months.
“It’s hard to try and dispel something before there is a finalized plan and they see all the dynamics that are going into it,’’ he said in a telephone interview after the Holliston meeting.
Initial plans include a 176,000-square-foot gambling floor, a 350-room hotel, and 60,000 square feet of retail shops and restaurant space.
Marsden said a list of specific areas of concern to be researched is still being formulated, but many residents talked about how increased traffic would change the character of Holliston. They said drivers traveling from points east to gamble in Milford would clog an already heavily traveled Route 16.
Nunes, however, said the only access to the casino complex from Route 16 would be for emergency use. “Police and fire vehicles are the only ones that will be able to use that road,’’ he said.
The only public access to the complex, he said, would be from an offramp that would be added to I-495. He said he has already had conversations with officials from the state Department of Transportation’s Highway Division, the Federal Highway Administration, and congressional representatives.
“We know exactly how we are going to do this,’’ Nunes said.
The list of Holliston objections will go beyond Route 16 traffic concerns, however, and are expected to include the complex’s potential impact on water availability in a town reliant on wells, infrastructure, public safety, school enrollment, property values, the environment, and small area businesses.
Many residents who attended last week’s strategy session in Holliston said they are willing to work on a committee.
“I’m absolutely ready,’’ said Marilyn Horn. The casino complex “will totally destroy Holliston if it is allowed to be built. We really have to do everything we can to keep this out of our area.’’
Residents also voiced frustration that while they will feel the impact of the development, they will have no direct say in the decision. The law stipulates that only residents of the city or town where the casino will be sited have the ability to approve or reject a proposal.
“It is totally unfair that we don’t get a vote in this. It is appalling,’’ Horn said.
Holliston officials said they are considering placing a nonbinding referendum question about the casino on the November presidential election ballot to gauge the level of opposition to the Milford proposal.
Nunes said he expects to present his final plans to the Milford Board of Selectmen and then Town Meeting over the next three to four months, to get their reaction before a vote goes before the town in a general election.
Other sites vying for the single casino license available between Boston and Worcester include Suffolk Downs in East Boston, and a proposed complex near Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
The Board of Selectmen in Foxborough has already taken a vote indicating its opposition to a casino there, and the Planning Board in bordering Norfolk also voted unanimously to oppose the proposal.
While a vote in an adjacent town cannot stop a casino from being built, the Gaming Commission is required to consider relative support and opposition from neighboring communities. In addition, surrounding towns can ask the commission to require the developer to pay for additional studies to assess the impact of the proposal.
“Mitigation funds would pay the check for these services after the town presumably hired the consultant,’’ said state Representative Carolyn Dykema, a Holliston Democrat who opposed the casino legislation. [What other business would require MITIGATION?]
She said lobbying efforts on behalf of the casino industry and proposed casinos have already begun on Beacon Hill.
It may soon begin from the opposing side as well. Holliston Selectman Jay Leary said he has had conversations with elected officials from neighboring towns about getting together to hire a professional public relations or lobbying firm to spearhead the opposition effort.
But, Marsden cautioned, the research, mock trials, and meetings are taking place in preparation of something that may never happen.
If voters in Milford reject the casino plans or the developer decides against moving forward with the proposal for whatever reason, all the work will have been unnecessary.
“It’s a success if you never have to go to trial,’’ Marsden said.
By Ellen Ishkanian
Globe Correspondent
HOLLISTON Residents in Holliston are preparing for a fight against a proposed casino along Interstate 495, just over the border in Milford, the way a defense or prosecution team would get ready for trial.
As about 45 town residents listened last week, Board of Selectmen chairman Jay Marsden outlined a strategy that will include small research groups working over the course of the next nine months to a year perfecting arguments showing how surrounding communities would be hurt by the proposed $850 million Crossroads Resort casino, hotel, and retail complex.
The proposal’s developer, David Nunes, will have to make his case to the state Gaming Commission that the Milford site will boost jobs, development, and revenue in the area, Marsden said. “We have to go in and argue the other side,’’ he said.
“We have to make our case that this is a terrible location, and that it is not going to do what they say it will.’’
Over the next few weeks, Marsden said, a list of volunteers will be circulated by e-mail, working groups will be established, and research will begin. “We’ll put together presentations that address each issue, and we’ll go through a dry run, a mock trial, so to speak,’’ he said.
Nunes, however, said the final plans won’t be presented to the Milford Board of Selectmen for another three to four months.
“It’s hard to try and dispel something before there is a finalized plan and they see all the dynamics that are going into it,’’ he said in a telephone interview after the Holliston meeting.
Initial plans include a 176,000-square-foot gambling floor, a 350-room hotel, and 60,000 square feet of retail shops and restaurant space.
Marsden said a list of specific areas of concern to be researched is still being formulated, but many residents talked about how increased traffic would change the character of Holliston. They said drivers traveling from points east to gamble in Milford would clog an already heavily traveled Route 16.
Nunes, however, said the only access to the casino complex from Route 16 would be for emergency use. “Police and fire vehicles are the only ones that will be able to use that road,’’ he said.
The only public access to the complex, he said, would be from an offramp that would be added to I-495. He said he has already had conversations with officials from the state Department of Transportation’s Highway Division, the Federal Highway Administration, and congressional representatives.
“We know exactly how we are going to do this,’’ Nunes said.
The list of Holliston objections will go beyond Route 16 traffic concerns, however, and are expected to include the complex’s potential impact on water availability in a town reliant on wells, infrastructure, public safety, school enrollment, property values, the environment, and small area businesses.
Many residents who attended last week’s strategy session in Holliston said they are willing to work on a committee.
“I’m absolutely ready,’’ said Marilyn Horn. The casino complex “will totally destroy Holliston if it is allowed to be built. We really have to do everything we can to keep this out of our area.’’
Residents also voiced frustration that while they will feel the impact of the development, they will have no direct say in the decision. The law stipulates that only residents of the city or town where the casino will be sited have the ability to approve or reject a proposal.
“It is totally unfair that we don’t get a vote in this. It is appalling,’’ Horn said.
Holliston officials said they are considering placing a nonbinding referendum question about the casino on the November presidential election ballot to gauge the level of opposition to the Milford proposal.
Nunes said he expects to present his final plans to the Milford Board of Selectmen and then Town Meeting over the next three to four months, to get their reaction before a vote goes before the town in a general election.
Other sites vying for the single casino license available between Boston and Worcester include Suffolk Downs in East Boston, and a proposed complex near Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
The Board of Selectmen in Foxborough has already taken a vote indicating its opposition to a casino there, and the Planning Board in bordering Norfolk also voted unanimously to oppose the proposal.
While a vote in an adjacent town cannot stop a casino from being built, the Gaming Commission is required to consider relative support and opposition from neighboring communities. In addition, surrounding towns can ask the commission to require the developer to pay for additional studies to assess the impact of the proposal.
“Mitigation funds would pay the check for these services after the town presumably hired the consultant,’’ said state Representative Carolyn Dykema, a Holliston Democrat who opposed the casino legislation. [What other business would require MITIGATION?]
She said lobbying efforts on behalf of the casino industry and proposed casinos have already begun on Beacon Hill.
It may soon begin from the opposing side as well. Holliston Selectman Jay Leary said he has had conversations with elected officials from neighboring towns about getting together to hire a professional public relations or lobbying firm to spearhead the opposition effort.
But, Marsden cautioned, the research, mock trials, and meetings are taking place in preparation of something that may never happen.
If voters in Milford reject the casino plans or the developer decides against moving forward with the proposal for whatever reason, all the work will have been unnecessary.
“It’s a success if you never have to go to trial,’’ Marsden said.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Norfolk speaks against casino
Norfolk speaks against casino
BY STEPHEN PETERSON SUN CHRONICLE STAFF
Group discusses impact of development on town
NORFOLK - One speaker told of the ills of casinos affecting her hometown in Connecticut, another of living near Atlantic City and a third having spent time in Nevada and its casinos.
They were among several who spoke in opposition to the casino proposed across Route 1 from Gillette Stadium in neighboring Foxboro at a forum Monday night that attracted about 75 people to Olive Day School.
Marie Zullo, who lives in the west part of town, said she grew up in North Stonington, Conn., near the Foxwoods resort casino.
"The impact has been great on the town," Zullo said, describing North Stonington as no longer a town where residents leave their cars and house doors unlocked at night. "The volunteer fire department is stretched to the limit."
"I don't expect things to be different for Norfolk," Zullo said. "People will use it as a cut-through to avoid Route 1." Marie Zullo, a former Stonington, Conn., resident now living in Norfolk, relates her experiences during an anti-casino meeting held at the Olive Day School in Norfolk Monday evening. (Staff photo by Martin Gavin)Andrew Addison of Robin Road said he grew up on the New Jersey shore and watched the development of gambling in Atlantic City.
"It's one hell of a traffic nightmare," Addison said. "I think we all can agree the quality of life will change around here."
Dennis Schworer, who also lives in the west part of Norfolk, said he lived in Nevada when he was younger.
"I always opposed casinos," Schworer said. "It comes at a great social cost. Children will flood the school system."
Nancy Connors, who lives on Everett Street in Pondville, said she already is affected by traffic from the stadium and Patriot Place.
"I'm afraid Foxboro, despite all we're hearing" might approve the casino, Connors said. Marguerite Kevorkian, who lives in the north part of town, told the crowd she used to live in Foxboro and fought an access road for the stadium.
"They drive through residential areas. We are already seeing that in Norfolk," she said.
She called casino proponents Robert Kraft and Steve Wynn "two very great businessmen," but pledged "I'll do anything and everything to protect Norfolk."
Residents afterward signed a petition asking Kraft to withdraw the casino plans that going into the meeting already had about 1,500 names.
Town officials also urged residents to join the anti-casino effort, either forming a committee or joining an existing group.
"It will impact Norfolk the way we know it. It will not be the same," Selectman James Lehan said, adding the casino would fall in the center of three highly developed residential towns. "I really believe we can make a difference."
Norfolk selectmen along with Wrentham selectmen have voted to oppose the casino.
"I don't believe that is an appropriate location for this type of development," said Norfolk Planning Board Chairman Jeff Palumbo.
State Rep. Dan Winslow, R-Norfolk, reminded residents that in the 1980s they successfully fought a sludge dump proposed on the Norfolk/Walpole line.
"We have seen the power of direct democracy. People stood up to power," Winslow said as part of a lengthy speech.
BY STEPHEN PETERSON SUN CHRONICLE STAFF
Group discusses impact of development on town
NORFOLK - One speaker told of the ills of casinos affecting her hometown in Connecticut, another of living near Atlantic City and a third having spent time in Nevada and its casinos.
They were among several who spoke in opposition to the casino proposed across Route 1 from Gillette Stadium in neighboring Foxboro at a forum Monday night that attracted about 75 people to Olive Day School.
Marie Zullo, who lives in the west part of town, said she grew up in North Stonington, Conn., near the Foxwoods resort casino.
"The impact has been great on the town," Zullo said, describing North Stonington as no longer a town where residents leave their cars and house doors unlocked at night. "The volunteer fire department is stretched to the limit."
"I don't expect things to be different for Norfolk," Zullo said. "People will use it as a cut-through to avoid Route 1." Marie Zullo, a former Stonington, Conn., resident now living in Norfolk, relates her experiences during an anti-casino meeting held at the Olive Day School in Norfolk Monday evening. (Staff photo by Martin Gavin)Andrew Addison of Robin Road said he grew up on the New Jersey shore and watched the development of gambling in Atlantic City.
"It's one hell of a traffic nightmare," Addison said. "I think we all can agree the quality of life will change around here."
Dennis Schworer, who also lives in the west part of Norfolk, said he lived in Nevada when he was younger.
"I always opposed casinos," Schworer said. "It comes at a great social cost. Children will flood the school system."
Nancy Connors, who lives on Everett Street in Pondville, said she already is affected by traffic from the stadium and Patriot Place.
"I'm afraid Foxboro, despite all we're hearing" might approve the casino, Connors said. Marguerite Kevorkian, who lives in the north part of town, told the crowd she used to live in Foxboro and fought an access road for the stadium.
"They drive through residential areas. We are already seeing that in Norfolk," she said.
She called casino proponents Robert Kraft and Steve Wynn "two very great businessmen," but pledged "I'll do anything and everything to protect Norfolk."
Residents afterward signed a petition asking Kraft to withdraw the casino plans that going into the meeting already had about 1,500 names.
Town officials also urged residents to join the anti-casino effort, either forming a committee or joining an existing group.
"It will impact Norfolk the way we know it. It will not be the same," Selectman James Lehan said, adding the casino would fall in the center of three highly developed residential towns. "I really believe we can make a difference."
Norfolk selectmen along with Wrentham selectmen have voted to oppose the casino.
"I don't believe that is an appropriate location for this type of development," said Norfolk Planning Board Chairman Jeff Palumbo.
State Rep. Dan Winslow, R-Norfolk, reminded residents that in the 1980s they successfully fought a sludge dump proposed on the Norfolk/Walpole line.
"We have seen the power of direct democracy. People stood up to power," Winslow said as part of a lengthy speech.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Norfolk joins Opposition!
Neighboring towns object to proposed Foxborough casino
By Christine Legere Globe Correspondent
NORTH ATTLEBOROUGH - Rumblings of opposition to a Las Vegas-style casino in Foxborough are becoming louder in neighboring communities, as officials worry about the strain the operation would place on local schools, housing, roads, and public safety departments.
Selectmen in Wrentham and Norfolk are sending letters this week to their Foxborough counterparts, protesting any plan for a local casino, town officials said yesterday. Town leaders in Walpole had previously penned their own letters of opposition.
The Wrentham selectmen voted unanimously Tuesday to oppose any plan for a casino in Foxborough.
Their letter states that opposition is “due to severe adverse impacts that such a development would have on the people, infrastructure, and services of the town.’’ Copies of the letter are being sent to state Senator Richard Ross and state Representative Daniel Winslow.
The vote by Norfolk’s selectmen was also unanimous. In its letter to Foxborough town officials, the board points out that part of the town abuts the target site for the casino, located across from Gillette Stadium.
The negative impacts would go beyond traffic, noise, and lighting, the selectmen wrote.
“It is also the added driving-under-the-influence incidents and related crime that have impacted other casino areas. . . . This has been validated in a number of studies.’’
The letter goes on to offer Foxborough assistance in any battle it wages against a local casino.
Town managers and administrators from Foxborough, Wrentham, Norfolk, Mansfield, and Walpole sat down yesterday in North Attleborough to informally discuss the possibility of a regional meeting of their top elected community officials to address the proposed casino. No date for such a session was set.
“We are all concerned about traffic, but housing was one of the key issues we discussed,’’ William Ross, Mansfield town manager, said about the session. He said several communities have not yet met the state’s 10 percent requirement for affordable housing stock.
Town officials say they worry that a casino would create the potential for an explosion of low-to-moderate housing needs.
“They’re saying they would hire 3,000 to 4,000 people,’’ Ross said of job figures touted by casino proponents. “That could be 9,000 to 10,000 people, because you’re talking spouses and kids. It could add 3,000 to 4,000 children to our schools, and that’s a major concern.’’
Steve Wynn, a Las Vegas businessman, has proposed a $1 billion hotel resort for land off Route 1 owned by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Wynn says a casino would add jobs and at least $10 million a year in local taxes.
Kevin Paicos, town manager of Foxborough, said aspects of the state’s new casino law that provide for help to mitigate the impact on communities adjacent to a casino were discussed at yesterday’s meeting.
“I think the consensus in the room is a proposal will likely come forward, and they are trying to decide the best way for their communities to respond,’’ Paicos said.
Paicos said a regional campaign for mitigation would probably not include Foxborough, even though a majority of selectmen in that town recently voted not to support a casino proposal.
He said Foxborough may have interests similar to adjoining communities, but it will get a great deal of cash for mitigation, as the casino’s host.
Paicos predicted neighboring towns will not receive nearly as much.
“No matter how a mitigation agreement reads, it’s highly unlikely they will get all the resources they need,’’ he said. “The mitigation money would be significantly below what the impacts would be.’’
Ross agreed. “The legislation said there will be mitigation subject to appropriation,’’ he said. “That means the money from the casinos could go anywhere.’’
Following their recent vote, Foxborough selectmen sent a letter to Governor Deval Patrick and Stephen Crosby, chairman of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, opposing a local casino. Paicos said selectmen have yet to discuss letters of protest now coming in from other communities, but they could decide to forward those to state officials, as well.
“I am hopeful that boards in all the towns will ultimately write to Foxborough selectmen to oppose the casino,’’ Paicos said.
By Christine Legere Globe Correspondent
NORTH ATTLEBOROUGH - Rumblings of opposition to a Las Vegas-style casino in Foxborough are becoming louder in neighboring communities, as officials worry about the strain the operation would place on local schools, housing, roads, and public safety departments.
Selectmen in Wrentham and Norfolk are sending letters this week to their Foxborough counterparts, protesting any plan for a local casino, town officials said yesterday. Town leaders in Walpole had previously penned their own letters of opposition.
The Wrentham selectmen voted unanimously Tuesday to oppose any plan for a casino in Foxborough.
Their letter states that opposition is “due to severe adverse impacts that such a development would have on the people, infrastructure, and services of the town.’’ Copies of the letter are being sent to state Senator Richard Ross and state Representative Daniel Winslow.
The vote by Norfolk’s selectmen was also unanimous. In its letter to Foxborough town officials, the board points out that part of the town abuts the target site for the casino, located across from Gillette Stadium.
The negative impacts would go beyond traffic, noise, and lighting, the selectmen wrote.
“It is also the added driving-under-the-influence incidents and related crime that have impacted other casino areas. . . . This has been validated in a number of studies.’’
The letter goes on to offer Foxborough assistance in any battle it wages against a local casino.
Town managers and administrators from Foxborough, Wrentham, Norfolk, Mansfield, and Walpole sat down yesterday in North Attleborough to informally discuss the possibility of a regional meeting of their top elected community officials to address the proposed casino. No date for such a session was set.
“We are all concerned about traffic, but housing was one of the key issues we discussed,’’ William Ross, Mansfield town manager, said about the session. He said several communities have not yet met the state’s 10 percent requirement for affordable housing stock.
Town officials say they worry that a casino would create the potential for an explosion of low-to-moderate housing needs.
“They’re saying they would hire 3,000 to 4,000 people,’’ Ross said of job figures touted by casino proponents. “That could be 9,000 to 10,000 people, because you’re talking spouses and kids. It could add 3,000 to 4,000 children to our schools, and that’s a major concern.’’
Steve Wynn, a Las Vegas businessman, has proposed a $1 billion hotel resort for land off Route 1 owned by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Wynn says a casino would add jobs and at least $10 million a year in local taxes.
Kevin Paicos, town manager of Foxborough, said aspects of the state’s new casino law that provide for help to mitigate the impact on communities adjacent to a casino were discussed at yesterday’s meeting.
“I think the consensus in the room is a proposal will likely come forward, and they are trying to decide the best way for their communities to respond,’’ Paicos said.
Paicos said a regional campaign for mitigation would probably not include Foxborough, even though a majority of selectmen in that town recently voted not to support a casino proposal.
He said Foxborough may have interests similar to adjoining communities, but it will get a great deal of cash for mitigation, as the casino’s host.
Paicos predicted neighboring towns will not receive nearly as much.
“No matter how a mitigation agreement reads, it’s highly unlikely they will get all the resources they need,’’ he said. “The mitigation money would be significantly below what the impacts would be.’’
Ross agreed. “The legislation said there will be mitigation subject to appropriation,’’ he said. “That means the money from the casinos could go anywhere.’’
Following their recent vote, Foxborough selectmen sent a letter to Governor Deval Patrick and Stephen Crosby, chairman of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, opposing a local casino. Paicos said selectmen have yet to discuss letters of protest now coming in from other communities, but they could decide to forward those to state officials, as well.
“I am hopeful that boards in all the towns will ultimately write to Foxborough selectmen to oppose the casino,’’ Paicos said.
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