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Jul 26, 2007 6:25 pm US/Eastern
Treasurer: Middleboro Getting Bad Deal On Casino
by Peg Rusconi
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
Days from what could be a crucial vote on a proposed casino in Middleboro, the state's chief financial officer is raising questions.
Treasurer Tim Cahill said the town gets too little money out of its deal with the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe.
A record turnout is expected for Saturday's Town Meeting, at which voters will decide whether to allow the tribe to build a resort casino in Middleboro.
"I think this part of the beginning favors the tribe more than it favors the town," Cahill said Thursday. "That's my point."
Cahill said the $7-11 million the tribe has agreed to pay the town annually isn't enough.
"The tribe, as well as its financial backers, are going to make hundreds of millions of dollars," Cahill said. "It's a billion-dollar enterprise. It doesn't seem on teh face of it that $7 million in exchange for $1 billion in development and revenues and profits is a fair trade for the town."
Cahill said surrounding communities that would share the traffic burden get nothing for it.
The treasurer is also questioning the rush to vote. Full terms of the deal were released just this past Monday. What's the hurry, Cahill wonders.
If the vote were held today, our exclusive Fast Track survey indicates it would pass easily. Of 366 Middleboro voters we questioned, 65 percent favor a casino complex in their town. Just 32 percent are against it.
Whatever the voters decide, the state would still be involved in the process. As WBZ first reported, Gov. Deval Patrick is reviewing an extensive study of the pros and cons of legalized gambling.
"Because, frankly, we are going to have to set the ground rules," Patrick said Thursday.
Middleboro Selectman Adam Bond told WBZ the deal includes significant financial incentives not mentioned by the treasurer.
They include hotel and meals taxes, which could amount to millions each year. Also, Bond said the annual $7 million lump sum could increase over time to tens of millions a year.
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