Regional Task Force

At the 10/15 Selectmen's Meeting, the Regional Casino Task Force was discussed.

The previous contentious meeting of the Task Force refused to allow participation by Middleboro.

Selectman Bond insisted that he should be included although in the past, he has made numerous inflammatory and insulting comments at those meetings or in the media. He also indicated that Middleboro could provide a great deal of information.

One must wonder if that was the information denied Middleboro voters in making an informed decision? Has it ever been made public?

Was that to be the information discussed at the July 9, 2007 Selectmen's Meeting?


SELECTMEN’S MEETING
JULY 9, 2007

Status – Casino Negotiations Agreement

Selectman Bond said there was nothing new to report as far as the Casino Agreement. He said there were 2 related issues.

Selectman Bond said he had talked to Ruth Geoffroy about setting up an informational meeting. He explained that Department Heads had done a lot of research and work on putting together a proposal for the Tribe. He suggested a public meeting on July 17th would allow department heads to answer public questions.

Chairwoman Brunelle suggested that Selectman Bond make sure all department heads are available. She believed at least one would not.

Upon motion by Selectman Bond and seconded by Selectman Perkins, the Board
VOTED: To schedule, as soon as possible, an informational meeting with department heads - to last for a minimum time of 7 PM to 10 PM - to answer questions posed by the public regarding the impact and infrastructure that may or may not come with a casino.
Unanimous Vote.

Selectman Spataro asked if the meeting would be separate and apart of a public hearing for the Town Meeting.

Selectman Bond said it would be.

It was the consensus of the Board that it would be a good idea to respond to the concerns of the public. She said a public hearing prior to Town Meeting would also be held.

Selectman Bond said he ask Ms. Geoffroy to chair the meeting.

The venue for the meeting would have to be determined.

Chairwoman Brunelle said the information would be available next Monday.

http://www.middleborough.com/Selectmen/Minutes/July%20Minutes/July%202007/July%209,%202007.mht

Enterprise article:

The group also agreed to revisit its decision at its last meeting to deny Middleboro a seat on the task force.
Middleboro Selectman Pat Rogers pleaded his town’s case last night, saying, “we’d like to work together with you as the project goes forward. We are part of the region. We’re certainly not going to work against you.”
But several task force members said Middleboro’s contract with the Wampanoag to host the casino could put the town at cross purposes with its neighbors.
“You signed an agreement with the tribe,” said Ms.Yeatts, who remarked that part of Middleboro’s contractual obligation includes responding to any negative comments about the proposed casino. “”I’d like to be assured you’re not using us to meet your commitment to the tribe.”Rep. Canessa suggested the neighbors’ shunning of Middleboro was the result of their “frustration, disappointment and anger at the town of Middleboro.” But he said the towns might have to all work together in the future and “you don’t want to see that bitterness that you see tonight be reflected back on you.”
“We’re not angry,” Plymouth Selectman Tavares countered, “You made your choice as a community and I respect that,” he told Mr. Rogers.
“I just don’t see where our common goals are going to cross right now,” he said.
The task force agreed to take under advisement Middleboro’s request to become a member.

http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071017/NEWS/71017036