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Politics & Government

Foxborough Selectmen Look To Move On After Casino Vote

Residents still looking for answers on both sides of the issue.

After the Foxborough selectmen’s 3-2 vote Tuesday, Dec. 27 to send a letter to Governor Deval Patrick, the state gaming commission, casino developer Steve Wynn and New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft, the town manager and four board members report residents still call looking for explanations and information on the casino issue.

Town Manager Kevin Paicos said 50 to 70 percent of his and his staffs' days are dedicated to casino issues.  

“The phone rings continuously,” he said. He still gets at least 20 e-mails a day with residents asking to explain his opinion and looking for him to hear their opinions in conversations that last up to an hour.  

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The selectmen have meetings on the Jan. 24 and Jan. 31, but neither have the casino on the agenda. 

“They’ve got so much regular business backed up,” said Paicos. He said the board needs a couple of meetings without the casino on the agenda. 

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Selectmen Mark Sullivan, who voted against hosting a casino, said his phone calls have slowed quite a bit.  

Few, he noted, were looking to hear more about a proposal from Kraft and Wynn, while some said thank you for voting how he did. He conceded that over close to 100 calls were concerned about his health after seeing his behavior at the Dec. 27 meeting at the high school. 

Sullivan argued with residents from the stage and threatened to walk out several times if the crowd continued voice their opinions without consideration for the board or those already speaking.

Many callers to his home were concerned he may have had a nervous breakdown, according to Sullivan. He said, “it was nice to hear that from everybody.”

Sullivan feels the vote, “definitely eased the tension,” in town.

“We’ll see what the future brings. Everybody is taking a breather. I’m wondering how we’ll take it from here,” said Sullivan.

James DeVillis, who also voted to send the letter says a casino isn't wanted in Foxborough, said he received, “a lot of calls saying it was definitely the right choice.”

DeVillis said regardless of the number of calls, “coming in on either side, they will not be influencing my decision at this point.”

As to what Kraft and Wynn will do now that the selectmen have voted and Kraft released a statement saying he was disappointed, “I think we’re expecting that they’ll re-evaluate it.”

Selectmen chairman Larry Harrington said he’s received a lot of e-mails thanking him for trying to hear both sides and voting in favor of hearing what kind of proposal Robert Kraft and Steve Wynn would submit.  

He said Paicos sent a strong letter believes Kraft and Wynn, “would be arrogant if they submitted a proposal.”

“What I feel most bad about,” he added, is that, “people have transcended it from the issue to the personal.”  He says he knows it is a small percentage, but they are vocal and believes they are intimidating some.

“Kids learn from that,” he said.  

Regarding being up for re-election in May, he said even before this casino issue, he was thinking about it.  “It’s a big time commitment,” and puts in, “300 to 500 hours a year,” in prep time for the meetings, said Harrington.

Right now he’s "working through the issues,” and will make the announcement, “ sometime in the next month or so.”

Selectman Loraine Brue said she has received, “a tremendous number of positive responses by and e-mail and by phone. They think it is the right move for the town.”

She said a small minority of the phone calls were interested in hearing a proposal.

As far what whether a casino proposal will be submitted, Brue said, “I can’t predict it. The ball is in their court. I hope they will listen.”

For now, she said, “I look forward to doing regular Foxboro business.”

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