29 August, 2011
The Board of Selectmen will meet on Wednesday, August 31st from 6:30 - 8:00PM in Room 215 at Town Hall to discuss expanded gaming in Massachusetts and how it can best act to preserve and protect the interests of the Town and its citizens while considering the possibility of passage of a revised gaming bill in the State Legislature.
The following is a statement of Governor Deval Patrick on expanded gaming legislation put forth by the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies on August 23, 2011.
“If done right, expanded gaming in Massachusetts can create jobs, generate new revenue, and spur other economic growth in the state. The bill being considered by the Joint Legislative Committee on Economic Development places appropriate limits on the expansion of gaming, requires open and transparent bidding, maintains a voice for local communities, and provides resources to address public health and safety – all principles I have insisted be a part of any gaming bill I support.”
“I congratulate and thank the Speaker and Senate President, and their Committee chairs, for their leadership and look forward to a full and public debate as the bill works its way through the legislature. I also look forward to prompt action by the legislature this fall on pension reform, health care cost containment, and other important measures that will help build a stronger Commonwealth.”
The sole purpose of the meeting of Hopkinton's Board of Selectmen is to have an open forum to discuss the proposed bill with all citizens who attend. To see the complete text of the bill, Click Here.
Chairman Todd Cestari urges all who have an interest in this matter to not only participate in the meeting on Wednesday night, but to engage in correspondence with your legislators and all leaders on Beacon Hill.
"The Board of Selectmen will do what it can to ensure Hopkinton is afforded the ability to protect its interests," said Cestari, "but the board has limited power at the state level, as it speaks with one on-voting voice. The collection of voters throughout Hopkinton and neighboring towns has the power of numbers. I urge all voters to let their feelings on this issue be known."
With the recent re-introduction of an expanded gaming bill by State legislators, officials from several surrounding towns in the region, including selectmen from Ashland, Holliston, Hopkinton and Natick, met last week to discuss the proposed bill that could put a casino in Milford and to examine the impacts that would create on their respective towns.
"It's clear that such a drastic policy change, combined with a project of this magnitude, has substantial implications beyond the borders of just the host community," said Cestari. "I believe it's the obligation of our state lawmakers to provide the neighboring communities with not only a voice, but a direct influence on any such project and the mitigation efforts to be required."
