Massachusetts Casino Legislation Raises Concern in Holliston

In the wake of legislation that permits building casinos in Massachusetts being passed by the state Senate, Selectman Jay Marsden proposed holding a town meeting to alleviate uncertainty in Holliston caused by the measure. 

Marsden said a casino in Milford, the closest of the proposed locations, could have a significant impact in Holliston at a Board of Selectmen meeting Monday. 

"It's going to be traffic, it's going to be crime," Marsden said. "It's going to be trying to expand roads that aren't really expandable."

Selectmen plan to use one of Holliston's school gymnasiums to hold a town meeting aimed at addressing concern over the proposed casino in Milford. There, Marsden hopes to inform Holliston residents of the challenges associated with a nearby casino that could put strain on the town's roadways. 

Passing the state Senate 24-14 last week, the Boston Globe expects the legislation to become law once differences between the Senate and House bills have been reconciled.

Dave Bastille, a graphic designer from Holliston, has been actively campaigning against the implementation of a casino in Milford.

"I am trying to get enough people to voice their irritation at this so perhaps another site will be chosen," Bastille said. 

Bastille expects his property value to "plummet" if a casino is built at the proposed Milford site. He has made fliers using his knowledge of graphic design and distributed them to local residents to rally support against the casino. 

"I'm not an activist, I'm not a political person. I'm a home owner who is living in the shadow of this thing," Bastille said. 

Supporters of the casino bill cite job creation and additional revenue coming to Massachusetts that had once traveled out of state.

"We’re taking a major step in the creation of jobs," House Speaker Robert DeLeo told the Boston Globe. "We are right now in Massachusetts -- or have been -- in a blue collar depression...this is a workforce that we really have to address."