Mansfield 1 of 2 Towns to Use Plainridge Mitigation Cash

MANSFIELD, MA — Local communities have access to $600,000 in mitigation funds from Plainridge Park but so far, only two communities have taken advantage of the cash.

Available in $100,000 grants for each community, only Mansfield and Wrentham have applied to use the money. Plainville, Foxborough, Attleboro and North Attleboro have not, according to the Sun Chronicle.

Mansfield's funds were used to help cover the costs of a crime analysis that was hired last year. Wrentham will use the funds to cover the cost of a Route 1 traffic and zoning study that is expected to cost $50,000.

The other towns have not committed to using the mitigation money, with Foxborough Town Manager Bill Keegan noting that the slots parlor and race track has not had a noticeable impact on Foxborough.

Mitigation funds can be used to offset the impact of the facility. According to a presentation given to the state's Gaming Commission by the Mansfield crime analysis, there is a small increase in crime in the area but it's uncertain whether or not Plainridge is the cause.

Image via Massachusetts State Police