Towns Near Milford ask Gaming Officials for More Time, Protections

Three towns bordering Milford have sent letters to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, arguing for more protection from the proposed casino for surrounding communities.

Holliston, Hopkinton and Medway each submitted a statement as part of a public comment period for the proposed regulations.

The casino site in Milford identified by the devloper of "Crossroads Massachusetts" is on the east side of I-495 and north of Route 16, closer to Holliston than most of Milford's residential areas. But under the state law that authorized expanded gaming in Massachusetts, only Milford voters will get to determine if a casino application moves forward to state consideration.

But if Milford voters move ahead on a casino, surrounding towns would have to reach an agreement on mitigating impacts with the developer, or face binding arbitration.

In their letters:

Holliston Town Administrator Paul LeBeau states that as a direct abutter to the proposed site, Holliston has serious concerns about traffic, crime and environmental impacts. According to its document, the town seeks more time to respond to the Phase 2 application, and states that every town within 5 miles of Milford should be notified by the applicant at least 90 days before the Phase 2 application is filed, and be granted surrounding community status if they want it. [See attached PDF]

Speaking for Hopkinton, attorney J. Raymond Miyares also seeks additional time for the surrounding communities to evaluate a casino proposal, and states that any town or city that is within 5 miles of the proposed gaming site should automatically be declared a surrounding community. "Rather than being forced to overcome a difficult threshold in order to qualify for designation as a surrounding community, cities and towns that are in close proximity to a proposed gaming establishment should be assured that they will be so designated, and eligible to exercise the rights associated with such status." [See attached PDF]

The Medway Board of Selectmen have submitted a letter that proposes that every town that shares a border with Milford should be designated as surrounding communities. "Communities that share a physical border with a host community are certain to experience the impact of the location of a casino, be they traffic and transportation issues, demands associated with casino staff moving into the area, and the economic viability of small businesses competing with establishments at the casino." [See attached PDF]

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is expected to meet at 4 p.m. Thursday. The meeting will focus on the casino proposal for the southeastern region of the state, and will be livestreamed on www.massgaming.com.