Foxborough Selectmen File Casino Issue Away; Praise Kraft's Decision

If the previous night’s election represented the death of the casino project, then Tuesday evening’s meeting of the Foxborough Board of Selectmen represented the funeral.

In the first selectmen meeting since the town election, the board of delectmen gave what may be their final thoughts on the issue of a casino.

With four members of the board now against negotiating with the Kraft family and the Wynn Group over a potential casino, Bob Kraft and Steve Wynn both announced in statements Tuesday that they would end all plans to build a casino on Route 1.

“I was surprised it was so swift,” new selectman Ginny Coppola said. “I would of expected it down the road, but I’m happy that its done now and people can get back to normal.”

While Coppola wasn't expecting the casino project to end less than 24 hours after winning the election, selectman Lynda Walsh was not surprised because of Kraft’s previous statements that he wouldn't build a casino if the town was against it.

“I think Mr. Kraft had stated it and he’s a man of his word,” Walsh said.

While not disappointed that the potential of a casino is no more, Walsh did say that she hopes that the town doesn't look back in 10 years and wonder what could of been.

Also appreciative of the speed of the announcement was town manager Kevin Paicos, who is no stranger to squaring off with the Kraft Group.

While he has had issues in the past with Kraft, Paicos had nothing, but praise for the quick response to the town elections.

“I think it was very gracious of Mr. Kraft and Mr. Wynn to acknowledge the will of the townspeople," he said "It can’t possibly be an easy decision to make because there is just so much money to be gained for them potentially but I think it reflects the depth of Mr. Kraft’s character that when he says he cares about the community he means it."

With the end of months worth of drama and heated debate, the board of selectmen and Paicos are looking forward to putting the issue behind them and going back to a state of normalcy that is more familiar with the town of Foxborough.

“It will put a quiet and a calm back into the town,” new chairman James DeVellis said about the statements made by Kraft and Wynn.

With the casino gone, the board is expected to visit a variety of issues that were put aside due to the casino.

“There are a lot things that had to be pushed aside temporarily while we dealt with these issues and now we got an opportunity to get back to those more perhaps somewhat mundane issues, but very important to the town’s welfare,” Paicos said.