Middleboro selectmen reach out to casino task force
The town will make a fourth request to join the regional task force established by 17 local communities last summer to study the impact of a casino in Middleboro.
The regional task force has denied the town membership on three different occasions.
As part of the contract between the Mashppe Wampanoag tribe and the town of Middleboro approved by Town Meeting voters on July 28, 2007, the town has agreed to "work with and assist the tribe and its contractors and agents to obtain any and all approvals, legislation, liquor licensing or other enactments required" and to "assist the Tribe in responding to negative comments about the project, reiterating the Town's support and the basis therefore."
Strains between Middleboro and the regional task force peaked in October when they denied permission for Middleboro Town Planner Ruth McCawley Geoffroy to address the group.
Selectman Patrick Rogers, who has attended the meetings, said the task force is meeting Jan. 23 and he is optimistic that Middleboro will be allowed to join this time. At the same time, Rogers is critical of the task force,
"They have got to get going and start talking about regional issues," he said.
Rogers said issues such as traffic and environmental concerns need to be addressed.
Rogers also criticized the regional task force for going into executive session at its last meeting. As a nonmember, Middleboro was excluded from the session.
Selectmen Adam Bond and Wayne Perkins both argued that Middleboro should not try to join the regional task force but instead to invite the board to attend Middleboro's resort advisory committee.
In a 3-2 vote, selectmen agreed to have Rogers attend the task force's Jan. 23 meeting and invite them to attend Middleboro's resort advisory committee.
Resort Advisory Committee Chairman Brian Giovanoni said he would also reach out to task force Chairman Nancy Yeatts, who is a Lakeville selectman, to attend his board's meeting.
The Resort Advisory Committee has meetings scheduled for today, Jan. 16, and Jan. 30.
In other actions, Middleboro selectmen voted unanimously to invite two outspoken casino opponents - State Rep. Thomas J. Calter D-Kingston and Stephen Smith, executive director of the Southeastern Regional Planning & Economic Development District - to meet with them to discuss the casino.
Calter has described the casino, proposed by the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe, as an "irresponsible project," saying it will draw 50,000 cars a day.
Selectmen will meet with Smith on Jan. 28 to discuss SRPEDD's November newsletter which included a cover story, "Casinos: A regional Concern Once More."