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Milford Casino Back in the News

By Michelle Murdock, Freelance Writer
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Selectmen discussed several possible actions in response to the news that Colorado developer David Nunes has vowed to stay in the race for the one casino license to be granted in the Boston region which includes Suffolk, Middlesex, Norfolk, Essex and Worcester counties.

According to a recent article in the Boston Business Journal, Louis Celozzi, Milford’s Town Administrator, said Colorado developer David Nunes plans to bring his latest proposal for a 26-acre resort style casino off Route 495 back before the Milford Board of Selectmen before the end of the year and, that in his opinion, a good proposal would be supported by a majority of Milford residents. Town Manager Norman Khumalo proposed several actions that Hopkinton’s selectmen could consider in response to this news which were discussed at their November 20 meeting.

Khumalo proposed three specific actions:

1) Having Hopkinton take the lead to reactivate the “surrounding communities collaborative of Board of Selectmen Chairs to seek a joint response to this recent announcement and including the offices of State Representative Carolyn Dykema and Senator Karen Spilka.

2) Having Hopkinton proactively develop a scope of services, recruit consultants and seek funding to study the comprehensive impacts and risks to Hopkinton or a large casino project of this size and in the location to be proposed. NOTE: Under the expanded gaming law, surrounding communities have the right to seek funding for this study from the casino developer.

3) Having town staff and town counsel closely monitor Nunes’ discussions with Milford and report back to the board.

Chairman Ben Palleiko began the discussion for the board saying that he supported working with other towns to oppose a casino in Milford, and having town staff and counsel monitor Nunes’ discussions, but that he would not support taking funds from Nunes to pay for a study.

“This is a really bad idea for us to take this developer’s money,” said Palleiko, saying that it constituted negotiating with Nunes, that he was not going to negotiate and that no level of compensation would mitigate the impact of a Milford casino on the quality of life in Hopkinton.

John Mosher agreed with Palleiko on negotiating with the developer, but fully supported working with surrounding towns and asked if it might be possible to obtain the funds elsewhere.

Regarding casinos in general, Mosher said, “Don’t like it, don’t want it. Not going to change my mind.”

Michelle Gates, however, was not opposed to taking money from the developer, saying that in doing so, Hopkinton would only be exercising its legal rights.

Todd Cestari, while also opposed to a casino in Milford, said there was no need to panic as Taunton and Suffolk Downs were also being put forward as potential locations, but agreed that it made sense to keep an eye on the Milford Board of Selectmen’s upcoming agendas.

And the last to weigh in, Brian Herr said he was not opposed to people gaming, but that he was absolutely opposed to the idea that expanded gaming would fix the states’ budget woes.

“Beacon Hill has got this one wrong,” said Herr. “We, as a community close to a proposed casino, should fight this with all our might, not only for our residents, but for the residents of the Commonwealth and generations to follow.”

But the real issue facing the board, as pointed out by Town Manager Norman Khumalo, is the fact that applications for Category 1 and Category 2 gaming licenses are due by January 15, 2013. From there, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is expected to complete preliminary evaluations by June 2013. From there, the next phase of the selection process will run from October to December 2013 and Khumalo wanted to ensure that Hopkinton had time to respond.

With the potential of a casino in Milford now back in the picture, Palleiko said it was time for Hopkinton to continue its cross community efforts.

“I do think it is critical that this community not go it alone, “said Palleiko. “Hopkinton will not be able to stand alone against something of this sort, so I do think that it’s critical that we reach out to other communities. This is not a time to panic, but it is a time to be very attentive and energetic because the proposals are coming.”