Candidates line up for June 12 town election
Councilor-at-large only contested race
By Douglas Farmer
Staff Writer
PALMER — A three-year, at-large seat on the Palmer Town Council will be the only officially contested race on the June 12 election ballot, after the deadline to return papers passed this week.
Incumbent Karl Williams, of 1462 North Main St. (and proprietor of the Day and Night Diner downtown) will be opposed by two Bondsville residents, Jason Polonsky of 3024 High St. and Michael Lees of 3161 Main St. Elsewhere on the council, Barbara Barry of 14 Colonial St., Palmer will run unopposed for District 2.
For District 3 Councilor, incumbent Blake Lamothe of 1088 Thorndike St., Palmer returned papers without enough signatures, according to Palmer Town Clerk Susan Coache – therefore, his name will not appear on the ballot, barring a write-in campaign.
“For the district councilors, the 50 required signatures have to come from within the district, so that might have caused some confusion,” said Coache, indicating that Lamothe, the owner of the Steaming Tender Restaurant with his wife Robin, had obtained 42 signatures. “I’m sure he was disappointed.”
For the at-large seat, Coache will hold a lottery on Friday, April 27 at 10 a.m. in her office to determine the order of names on the ballot.
Voters in Palmer will head to the polls on Tuesday, June 12 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Those in the first and fourth precincts will vote at the Divine Mercy Parish Hall, 267 Main St. in Three Rivers, while those in the second and third precincts will vote at Converse Middle School, 24 Converse St. in Palmer.
Also running unopposed next month will be incumbent Gary Blanchette of 4 Walters Way, Palmer for a three-year post on the Palmer School Committee, and incumbent Norman Czech of 2022 Oak St., Three Rivers for a three-year seat on the Palmer Planning Board.
The last day to register to vote for the June 12 election will be Wednesday, May 23.
Commission not ready to deal yet
Discussing ways to make casino gaming reality
By Taryn Plumb
Correspondent
BOSTON – The newly-formed Massachusetts Gaming Commission is, as chair Stephen Crosby put it in a pun, “off to the races.”
The five-member group, which will oversee casino gaming in the state, held its first meeting April 10 at UMass Boston. The nearly four-hour session was largely dedicated to general housekeeping, and settling administrative, logistical and organizational matters. But after lengthy presentations, the commission also voted to hire two New Jersey-based consulting firms as it moves forward with its charge: Michael and Caroll PC of Atlantic City, and Linwood-based Spectrum Gaming Group.
As Crosby explained to the assembled crowd, the April 10 assembly would be the first of “very, very many public meetings,” which could be held every week or even more frequently.
The commission has already held a second meeting, this Tuesday (April 17) at the Division of Insurance in Boston, during which it was to discuss its search for an executive director, record-keeping and human resources, as well as the process for providing information to host and surrounding communities.
The group was established as part of the new law, which was signed by Gov. Deval Patrick on Nov. 22, that legalizes three, resort-style casinos – one to be licensed in the southeastern part of the state, another around Worcester or Boston, and a third to the west – and one racetrack slot parlor in the state. Its five members, which will “select, license, oversee, and regulate all expanded gaming facilities,” according to the law, were appointed by Patrick, Attorney General Martha Coakley, and Treasurer Steve Grossman.
Its members include chair Crosby, founding dean of the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies at UMass Boston; James McHugh, retired associate justice of the Massachusetts Appeals Court; former New Jersey Lt. Colonel Gayle Cameron; Enrique Zuniga, executive director of the Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust; and a western Mass. representative, Bruce Stebbins, Springfield’s business development administrator, and a former city councilor.
All eyes in the central and western parts of the state have been steadfastly watching the long process to casino legalization, and, in the months since the law was put into effect, big plans have surfaced in the area. In addition to Mohegan Sun, which for years has positioned itself to open a casino just off Palmer’s MassPike exit, proposals have surfaced in Springfield (from Las Vegas-headquartered Ameristar Casinos, Inc.); and in Holyoke (from Hard Rock International). MGM Resorts International had also been looking at a site in Brimfield, but company officials recently announced that they dropped that idea, are now exploring options elsewhere in the area.
As state Sen. Stephen Brewer (D-Barre) explained just before the bill was signed into law (he voted in favor), the gaming commission was established so that “politicians won’t meddle” and play favorites. The goal was to have casinos set up “without political involvement,” he said.
Crosby, for his part, explained that the commission is unusual in that it has full-time members, is in start-up mode, has “virtually no staff,” and at the same time operates under the same rules and regulations, including the Open Meeting Law, of public boards.
Its goal, he said, is to “design and implement a participatory, transparent and fair process.” As part of that, members travel around the state to talk with citizens.
He acknowledged that, “we’re in a learning mode.”
At its first meeting, the commission interviewed representatives of both Michael and Caroll and Spectrum Gaming with the intent to choose between the two – but ultimately couldn’t come to a decision due to their varied experience and expertise.
Principals from Michael and Carroll were involved in New Jersey’s 1970s Casino Control Act, helped to establish gaming in Australia, and were also involved in the initial setting up of Foxwoods. Spectrum Gaming, meanwhile, has compiled a number of reports for public and private parties including Gov. Patrick – some of which have come under scrutiny from those who oppose casinos – and has also worked with dozens of clients in the public and private sector, as well as with Native American tribes.
Both firms will now serve as consultants, helping the commission to develop a strategic plan, and also make other recommendations related to the various aspects of their charge.
Meanwhile, the commission selected Cambridge-based Anderson and Kreiger law firm to create a code of ethics; appointed Janice Reilly as its first chief of staff; and adopted, as a general guideline, Robert’s Rules of Order.
Moving forward, Crosby explained: “All of us have discussed frequently that the debate about whether or not to have expanded gaming in Massachusetts is over. It has been authorized by the representatives of the people and the governor. We now are committed to trying to implement that public policy in the best way that we possibly can.”
For more on the commission, visit mass.gov/gaming/.
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Citizens look for hearing with Mohegan
Casino project consultant announced
By Douglas Farmer
Staff Writer
PALMER – Members of the Palmer Town Council voted 6-0 Monday night to invite representatives of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority to an upcoming meeting to discuss further details of their plans for a resort casino in town. Councilor Karl Williams was not in attendance.
The vote was taken after about 20 residents arrived with a petition seeking further details on the project, as well as urging the council to keep Palmer in the forefront of casino site consideration as the Massachusetts Gaming Commission begins to draft regulations for casinos in the state. The gaming commission was created by the state Legislature last fall in the same bill that authorized up to three resort casinos in the state as well as a slot parlor.
“This project is extremely important, and we need to stay in the lead,” said former school committee member and current Assessor Larry Jasak. “It’s been seven months since Mohegan has been before this board; Palmer has missed out on a lot of development opportunities in the past and we believe in the jobs a casino will bring to town.”
Petitioners asked the council to hire a professional negotiator, obtain plans and design details for citizens to review (as well as announce a financial partner) and update citizens regularly as negotiations continue.
Paul Brody, vice president of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority that has announced its interest in building a $500 million project including a resort casino, events center, shops and restaurants on about 150 acres off the Massachusetts Turnpike owned by Northeast Realty, said his company’s officials were amenable to coming forward again.
“We’ve always welcomed any opportunity to meet with the Palmer Town Council and, at the council’s request, look forward to doing so again,” he said.
But while Councilor Mary Salzmann suggested a public forum at the high school during which questions would be accepted by members of the community, Palmer Town Manager Charles Blanchard said there were only so many details Mohegan was in a position to reveal at this point.
“I think it’s important to remember that Palmer is the only town in the Commonwealth that is engaged in a formal host community agreement process at this point,” he said. “That said, Mohegan has an eye on what’s going on with the gaming commission and I think they don’t want to reveal design details that would give other entities an advantage as they create their own projects.”
In the end, Palmer Town Council President Paul Burns suggested a format where Mohegan representatives would meet with the council in a public meeting, and that questions could be directed through the town council and town manager to ask them.
And citing progress in ongoing negotiations between attorneys for the town and Mohegan, Blanchard announced at the April 9 meeting that Dover, N.H.-based RKG Associates has been selected by himself and Town Counsel Charles Ksieniewicz as the firm to serve as development/peer review manager and to assist in negotiations of a host community agreement. In their proposal to the town, RKG indicated they would work with other firms on the project including Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates in examining transportation and traffic impacts, Tighe & Bond in examining water and wastewater management, The Berkshire Design Group in identifying landscape and design needs as well as attorneys from Goulston & Storrs to provide legal expertise as the proposed project moves forward.
“It is suggested that a not-to-exceed contract of $100,000 be drafted whereby each firm would draw down from this based on their hourly billing rates,” read the proposal.
And Blanchard and councilors said they were satisfied with the experience that RKG would bring to the table in the coming months, as they had experience on projects of this scope in Westwood and Patriot Place in Foxborough.
“I am excited to have a firm of the caliber of RKG on board for this project,” said Blanchard.
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MGM, Rolling Hills donate $250,000 to HFA
Committee will consider use of funds
By Emily Thurlow
Staff Writer
BRIMFIELD – Even though the potential opportunity to generate gaming revenue in Brimfield was dismissed last week when MGM Resorts International announced that it was breaking off its efforts to develop a casino resort, it seems the town could still reap the benefits of the organization’s time there. Earlier this week, Hitchcock Free Academy (HFA) announced that MGM and Rolling Hills Resorts Realty Trust had donated $250,000 as a community gift to “thank Brimfield.”
“I was completely surprised,” said Executive Director at HFA Sue Gregory. “I thought maybe if they [MGM] move into town we might be able to see some of that revenue, but the day they came over to let us know that they were no longer pursuing the project, they told us about the donation and I almost fell over.”
William Hornbuckle MGM’s Chief Marketing Officer said that HFA was chosen as a recipient of the donation because of the unique role that it plays on enriching the lives of all segments of the Brimfield community.
“MGM has been treated with the utmost hospitality and respect in Brimfield,” he said. “Over the past few months we have truly grown to love this town and its people. This gift to Hitchcock Free Academy is our way of offering a special thank you to all of our new friends.”
HFA was founded in 1855 and as a community center offers a plethora of educational, recreational and cultural programs to residents primarily in Brimfield, Holland, Wales and Sturbridge, but also to other residents of surrounding towns.
“We are pleased to accept such a generous gift from MGM Resorts International and Rolling Hills Estates Realty Trust, which will allow us to better serve the many needs our community,” said President of the Board of Trustees at HFA, Beth Howland Gouin.
Last year alone, HFA delivered a number of programs, events and services that engaged over 21,000 people from neighboring communities. And with the June 1, 2011 tornadoes that destroyed many local homes and properties, HFA also provided aid, FEMA resources, and other services on top of their normal offerings, including grant-funded scholarships, which were provided to families recovering from the devastation.
“This gift will significantly impact what we will be able to accomplish for all members of the communities that we serve through capital improvements to our facility of the additional programs,” Gregory said. “Given our mission, relatively small staff of five and our limited budget, we typically have more needs to fill than resources to do it, so we always manage our agenda and make decision very prudently to maximize the value of what Hitchcock brings to the community.”
And because HFA is still heavily reliant upon core revenue and donations for their operating expenses, Gregory said that this donation will go a long way. In fact, she said that morning she had gotten paperwork in saying that all of the fire escapes will need to be renovated to meet the building codes and wasn’t sure how she was going to pay to have them done.
“This donation actually exceeds what our annual budget, which is just under $190,000 this year,” she said. “I’m just on cloud nine.”
At this point, Gregory said that the long-range planning committee would be deciding on how to best utilize the funding, but could be used for a number of projects including bringing back the walking paths, improving the tennis courts, renovating the kitchen to become a commercial kitchen, and much more.
“This money will give us an opportunity to do some of the things we’ve wanted to do for so long,” she said. “But at this point, we’re still in the dreaming phase.”
Principal of Rolling Hills Realty Trust David Callahan said that he was gratified to be providing the gift to HFA and “having lived and worked in this region his entire life, he understands how important this facility is to the people of Brimfield.”
During its departure announcement last week, MGM explained that the “unique nature of MGM’s plans…and our growing understanding of the needed scope for its infrastructure” did not allow the company to move forward in Brimfield.
“The character of this wonderful town is what attracted us to Brimfield to begin with and it is with great pleasure that we bestow this fit to a landmark that has served this town and surrounding communities for more than 150 years,” said Hornbuckle. “We plan on being in Western Massachusetts for a long time, are eager to continue our great relationship with this town and its neighbors and hope that our gift will continue to enrich the fabric of this community for generations to come.”
For now, MGM will continue to work from its Brimfield office on Warren Road as it considers alternatives in Western Massachusetts.
For more information about Hitchcock Free Academy, visit www.hitchcockacademy.org.
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MGM folds on Brimfield casino
Locals offer perspective on siting game
By Emily Thurlow
Staff Writer
BRIMFIELD – After two months of fast track announcements, a representative from MGM Resorts International made yet another one on Tuesday afternoon, stating that MGM had decided to abandon its efforts in further developing a casino resort in Brimfield.
“I’m puzzled,” said Brimfield select board member Thomas Marino. “We jumped in and were ready to participate, interviewing potential consultants and studying the matter on taxpayer’s dollars, and they have pulled out without warning or any indication that there was a problem..”
And although MGM has scrapped the Brimfield project, the company made clear that they were committed to putting roots at an alternate Western Massachusetts location.
“The unique nature of MGM’s plans for an all-inclusive world-class resort on the Brimfield site, and our growing understanding of the needed scope for its infrastructure, simply do not allow us to pursue the comprehensive MGM resort originally envisioned here,” said MGM’s Chief Marketing Officer William Hornbuckle. “As a result, we have a mutual agreement with Rolling Hills Realty Trust to end MGM’s development efforts in Brimfield. MGM remains committed to developing an MGM-quality project in Western Massachusetts and we are actively pursuing other potential development sites.”
Both Marino and select board Chairwoman Diane Panaccione both agreed that hearing the news was disappointing, to say the least.
“I am very disappointed. It would have been a great revenue opportunity for the town for years to come,” she said, noting that MGM had been very gracious in dealing with town officials and residents. “MGM is a very nice company and all of their representatives and officials were very professional, courteous and willing to work with the town. This is a huge loss for Brimfield.”
And with the town now facing financial frustrations, such as trying to find (in the best case scenario) $130,000 to balance next year’s budget, Marino felt that the proposal could offer a potential solution.
“The opportunity looked more and more attractive as things were being worked out. I was sorry to hear this news,” said Panaccione. “I wish them well wherever they may end up in Western Massachusetts.”
Hornbuckle also expressed his appreciation for the reception that MGM had received from the community.
“It has been our pleasure to get to know the people of Brimfield as we’ve worked to find our place in Western Massachusetts,” he said. “The willingness of residents to listen to our thoughts and openly share their concerns has been of critical importance to MGM in reaching this decision.”
But it seems as though not all of the town’s residents are feeling crestfallen about the announcement.
“I am completely overjoyed,” said Saint Clair Road resident Carol Platenik. “I’m pleased that the town will be able to maintain its rural character.”
She added that while she agreed to have an open mind while serving as a resident member of the casino study committee, she felt that a number of the questions she had brought forth to MGM went unanswered.
Preserve Brimfield member Rob Mahlert sounded a similar tune as Platenik, rejoicing that the developer would no longer be considering their town.
“I’m happy that they are gone, but I’m not happy the town has accrued expenses due to the proposal that have not been paid for,” he said.
The anti-casino group Quaboag Valley Against Casinos were also cheering MGM’s announcement.
“I was so relieved when I first heard the announcement,” said Co-President Charlotte Burns. “All I was thinking was one down, one more to go.”
Both she and Co-President Iris Cardin mentioned how glad they were that the “beautiful valley” that the Brimfield project was proposed to overlook would be saved. And although Cardin sighed a heavy breath of relief, she said that the announcement also makes her nervous.
“I’m really suspicious now, because MGM said that they will be seeking another location in Western Mass,” she said. “And I just don’t see any good coming out of it.”
So where does this leave the neighboring town of Palmer? Palmer Town Council President Paul Burns believes that MGM’s decision to withdraw from the Brimfield project serves to reinforce the strength of a Palmer site for a potential Western Massachusetts resort casino.
“I’m not surprised,” he said. “The proposal didn’t have a viable traffic plan. It routed all traffic in every other town except the town of Brimfield. Not to mention they would have to create everything from the ground up because there’s no sewer, no water, no infrastructure …”
“As the sole remaining truly rural casino proposal in the state Palmer continues to stand head and shoulders above other locations in terms of access, infrastructure, community support and location,” he said in a press release this week. “This development only serves to strengthen the argument that Mohegan Sun needs to be first to develop the ‘biggest and best’ casino proposal as Commissioner Crosby has called for.”
Burns added his belief that Palmer’s unique assets coupled with a bold and exciting plan from Mohegan Sun will ensure success.
“While we are competing for a Western Mass license it is clear that we are also in a statewide competition to ensure we earn the first and only truly guaranteed resort casino license,” he said. “Delay can only serve to lessen the impact of bringing gaming to the Bay State and ensures that those jobs, revenue and economic development remain in Connecticut instead of here where they belong.”
He also noted that MGM is “welcome to compete” in Palmer.
For now, MGM will continue to work from its Brimfield office on Warren Road as it considers new alternatives in Western Massachusetts.
“I’m curious to see what happens next,” said Marino.
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