Milford Town Meeting Could Express an Opinion on a Casino Complex

Signatures of registered voters in Milford are being gathered to place the following article on the May 2013 Milford, MA Town Warrant:

TO SEE IF THE TOWN WILL VOTE, IN A NON-BINDING RESOLUTION, TO EXPRESS ITS OPPOSITION TO THE SITING OF A CASINO IN THE TOWN OF MILFORD.

Passage of this article at the May 2013 Milford Town Meeting would send a strong signal to David Nunes and his partners -- Foxwoods Casino and Warner Gaming -- that a casino in Milford is not supported by a majority of Town Meeting members.

Passage of this article at Town Meeting would also send a strong message to those organizations -- domestic and international -- which might be interested in providing financing for this development that a casino in Milford faces significant opposition.

This non-binding resolution that could be brought before Town Meeting SHOULD NOT be confused with a potential town-wide referendum that might be held next Fall.

To be very clear, the proposed article, if passed, would be advisory only and would not carry the force of law. The article would not require any elected official, board or commission to take, or not take, any position relative to the siting of a casino in Milford. The passage of this article would not stop all plans for a casino in Milford.

Why would Town Meeting consider such an article prior to seeing a proposal from Nunes/Foxwoods?

The proposal that has been before the town since David Nunes filed an application with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is for a resort style casino. The  legislation passed by the Commonwealth specified that each casino will require a minimum investment of $500 million. David Nunes has reportedly stated that the proposed casino for Milford would carry an investment of $850 million.

The question before the Town is whether it would want even a $500 million casino.  There is no compelling need to simply follow the process defined by the state that might lead to a town-wide referendum. Town Meeting can take the opportunity to make its opinion known.

This is not just a ‘casino’ -- a single gambling hall -- that is at issue. This complex would include numerous bars and restaurants. It would include a hotel with hundreds of rooms. It would include an amphitheater for perhaps nightly entertainment. It would include acres of parking. To successfully support such a complex, the goal would have to be to attract thousands of people on weekdays and tens of thousands of people on weekends.

If you would like to sign a petiton or help collect signatures to place this proposed article on the May 2013 Town Warrant, go to nomilfordcasino.blogspot.com