Nearby towns voice concern on planned casino

If Governor Deval Patrick and state legislators allow the Wampanoag tribe to build a $1 billion resort casino in Middleborough, the quality of life in neighboring Southeast Massachusetts communities must be protected, local officials said yesterday.

Concern about such issues as public safety and increased traffic has become more pronounced since Saturday's historic vote in Middleborough opened the door to casino gambling in the Bay State.

"We can't just sit still when something in an abutting community is going to have a huge impact on us," Halifax Selectman John Bruno said yesterday afternoon.

"The interest of perimeter towns must be protected," said Lakeville Selectman Charles Evirs Jr. Middleborough residents voted, 2,387 to 1,335, to back a deal to allow the Wampanoag to build the casino in the semirural town, about 40 miles south of Boston.

In exchange, the tribe is promising Middleborough $7 million in annual payments, plus revenues from a 4 percent assessment on a 1,500-room planned hotel. A one-time payment of $2 million for police and ambulance service would also be paid to the town.

Middleborough also agreed to support the Wampanoag application to the federal government to convert hundreds of acres of ancestral land in town to tribal land, where federal law allows casinos.

The resort casino, however, is no sure bet.

Because Massachusetts does not allow casino gambling, Patrick would have to negotiate an agreement with the tribe to determine how much revenue the state would receive from the gaming operation, among other issues. The state Legislature would have to approve the agreement.

Patrick, who has commissioned a study on casino gambling in Massachusetts, has said he probably would not make a decision until Labor Day. Kyle Sullivan, the governor's spokesman, declined to comment yesterday on the Middleborough vote.

State Treasurer Timothy Cahill, who favors the state auctioning the rights to build casinos to private developers, reiterated that stance yesterday. "If we're going to do this," Cahill said in a telephone interview. "it should be taxed like any other commercial property."

He also said the annual payments to Middleborough, and other mitigation, are not adequate. "I don't think it's a great deal for Middleborough financially, and it's a horrible deal for everyone else," Cahill said in a telephone interview. "The state can't just sit on the sidelines and not consider the impact this will have" beyond Middleborough.

Some legislators representing nearby communities said any state agreement with the Wampanoag tribe must address regional concerns. "As we work through this," said state Representative Stephen R. Canessa, a New Bedford Democrat whose district includes Middleborough, "anything that is done to expand gaming operations in the state must consider the communities around the host community."

"Middleborough has spoken, loud and clear, and I respect that," said state Representative Thomas J. Calter, a Kingston Democrat whose district includes two precincts in Middleborough. "But as it goes through the state process, my focus will be on protecting the abutting communities."

One Middleborough official hopes the state also considers the economic benefit, particularly job creation, in an often-overlooked corner of Massachusetts best known for cranberry bogs. "This area needs jobs," said Marsha Brunelle, chairwoman of the Middleborough Board of Selectmen. "People drive right by on their way down to the Cape. We hope this improves tourism here."

Around Middleborough yesterday, the casino vote, one of the most divisive in recent memory, was the talk of the town. "I think it's the smartest thing," said Dave Driscoll, 52, a hotel worker, at a local laundromat. "It will save this town. . . . This town used to have big businesses, a shoe factory. There used to be two department stores. There's nothing here now."

Chris Reed, 44, owner of Reedy's Archery on Center Street, said he would rather see the land turned into a nature preserve. "I don't like the idea of clear cutting the trees," said Reed, noting people could use the land to hunt, fish, and learn about Native American history. "I never saw anything good come out of drinking or gambling."

Others remain unconvinced of either the perceived benefits or dangers.

"I don't really know if it will affect downtown Middleborough or not," said Emil Khalil, owner of Lindo's Pizza on Wareham Street. "Nobody knows what will happen until we see four or five years after we open the casino."

Kathy McCabe can be reached at kmccabe@globe.com. Claire Cummings can be reached at ccummings@globe.com