Selectmen Working Overtime on Casino Watch

Selectmen Chairman Jay Marsden said the next week to 10 days could be key in determining the future of casino gambling in Massachusetts--and help clarify how real the risk is that neighboring Milford could host a casino.  

"I think we can expect some kind of vote over the next week or two," said Marsden, who has met or conferred with officials in other neighboring communities, including Ashland, Medway and Hopkinton, in recent weeks. "Of course this potentially impacts us tremendously if  a casino ends up in Milford."

Under the current bill, a Milford site would be competing with all others East of Worcester, including a site in Foxboro near Gillette stadium. Marsden said the possibility that the casino bill won't be approved at all seems to be shrinking, leaving the possibility that Milford won't win a bid.  

"There's still al long way to go, but the next week or so will tell us a lot," he said. 

In the event Milford does host a casino, focus would turn to impact mitigation. Proposals on Beacon Hill include a mitigation trust fund that would be funded in part with the one-time licensing fees from casino developers and in part from ongoing tax revenues. The fund would pay to mitigate transportation, environment, educational, infrasctuture and social impacts in communities near casinos. 

If Milford were to get a casino license--the proposed site is a short distance from the Holliston border, at the junction of Route 16 and Interstate 495--the town would also have a window to negotiate a memorandum of understanding directly with the casino's developers or the host community that could allow for other mitigation measures, Marsden noted.

The town would also want to fight for a seat on the board of any trust fund, to ensure a voice in how  funds are allocated. "We all know it's never an easy or simple thing to determine how money is going to be spent," he said.

It's not too late for residents to reach out to lawmakers  with concerns or questions, selectmen said. 

"We have concerns and thoughts that need to be listened to," said Selectman Jay Leary. 

Selectman Kevin Conley said casinos are a "critical issue" that could have an impact on the quality of life in Holliston for years to come.  

The role of the board currently is to keep the town's profile as high as possible and its concerns front and center, Marsden said. "Right now, we have to be everywhere and talk to everybody."