July 28, 2007
While many in Bridgewater and Raynham have their focus turned to respective Town Meetings this coming Monday night (July 30th), the activity today in Middleborough has the potential to make a much larger impact on the future of our two towns.
Current estimates place today's attendance at about 4,000 residents. More detailed numbers will be available based on the vote counts, and internal counts by the Town Clerk's Office. After a few hours of debate, voting began about 2pm today on yellow pre-printed forms.
By a margin of 2,387 to 1,335, voters approved the agreement between town selectmen and the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe that calls for the town to receive at least $11 million a year for hosting the $1 billion resort casino. The favorable vote by the Town means that the Town will pledge its support to assist in the process of securing the casino for the Wampanoag Indians in Middleborough. The agreement appears to guarantee MIddleborough at least $11M per year, although some of that is based on anticipated revenue from a hotel room tax.
Bridgewater to the north, and Raynham to the east, are both sure to experience many effects of the casino should it ultimately be built. On the positive side, jobs for construction and jobs for the operation of the facility complex. On the negative side are the societal costs, potential impact on lottery revenues (which translate into Local Aid), demands for services such as fire and police for incidents related to increased traffic, potential for additional children in the schools as new apartment complexes are built for employees.
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Joseph Gillis Jr.
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