Stoughton to Seek Brockton Casino Mitigation Funds

Stoughton will attempt to obtain mitigation funds from a potential casino in Brockton, but the selectmen have different opinions on how such a deal should be negotiated.

Earlier this year, a past board authorized town counsel and the town manager to negotiate a surrounding community agreement that would allow the town to receive funds to pay for the impact of the casino if it is constructed. How it is negotiated, however, was up for debate at Tuesday night’s selectmen meeting.

Selectman Robert Cohn said he wanted the chairman or an appointed member to sit in on negotiations along with town counsel and the town manager.

“This is the board of selectmen’s job to do this and I would feel more comfortable with the chairman or whoever we appoint to do it,” he said. “My feeling is that it’s our responsibility to go.”

Not everyone on the board was comfortable with sending a member to negotiations, with Selectman Thomas bluntly stating that he did not believe Chairman Joseph Mokrisky was qualified for to take part in the meetings.

“I think this is a meeting with professionals experienced in these types of negotiations. It’s too important and I don’t think it should be treated haphazardly so I am opposed to that,” he said.

Selectman Robert O’Regan agreed with his fellow board member, saying that the issue was complex and needed expertise and availability.

The board eventually voted 3-2 to allow Mokrisky to participate in the discussions. O’Regan and Recupero were two dissenting votes.

“I would hope the chairman would take the spirit of the board’s vote in mind that we’re very concerned about this important thing,” Recupero said after the vote.

If Stoughton is granted surrounding community status by the Mass. Gaming Commission and receives an offer for mitigation funds, the agreement will be voted on in open session with a full board. Town Manager Michael Hartman said he met with representatives from the casino developer last week. An offer has been made along with a counter-offer, but nothing has been finalized.