Town Begins Casino Committee Outreach

Salem has begun its outreach for six citizen participants on a Casino Advisory Committee that will soon be formed.

The Board of Selectmen issued the call for residents to apply in a notice posted on the town website.

According to the notice, the committee will meet twice monthly starting in early March. A schedule will be developed at that time.

The committee was finalized on Jan. 28 during a selectmen meeting.

The document also outlines the purpose of the Casino Advisory Committee:

To determine and estimate the revenue to the Town of Salem from expanded gaming operations at Rockingham Park. The revenue would include the direct “host town” payments from expanded gaming written into the law as well as property tax revenue from the redeveloped site.

With a focus on the policy priorities set by the Selectmen, to review and study how the Town should spend the additional revenue from expanding gaming at Rockingham Park in a fiscally responsible manner. The key poicy priorities are tax relief and responsible infrastructure planning. Other priorities include economic development.

To report and make recommendations to the Board of Selectmen o nthe revenue to be expected from expanded gaming operations at Rockingham Park and the uses of those funds with a view of fiscal responsibility and the satted proprieties.

Applications to join the committee should be submitted to the Town Manager's office by 5 p.m. on Feb. 20. Applications are available on the town website or at Salem Town Hall.

Also serving on the committee will be a Board of Selectmen representative, School Board representative and either state Sen. Chuck Morse (R-Salem) or a local state representative.

Citizen interviews are tentatively scheduled for Feb. 25 at 6:30 p.m. in the upper level conference room at Town Hall