Mass. Gaming Commission to Hold Public Hearing for Foxboro-Planiridge Surrounding Community Agreement

Update: Due to the expected snowstorm, the Mass. Gaming Commission has postponed the public hearing to Jan. 27. The time and location will remain the same.

Original Story

Those wishing to address the Massachusetts Gaming Commission concerning Foxboro’s Surrounding Community Agreement with Springfield Gaming and Redevelopment LLC may do so during a public hearing planned for the afternoon of Jan. 21.

The hearing is set for 4:30 p.m. tomorrow in the cafeteria of Beatrice H. Wood Elementary School at 72 Messenger Street in Plainville.

According to the meeting notification and agenda, the public hearing is intended to provide the Commission with the opportunity to hear any comments related to an agreement executed between Springfield Gaming and Redevelopment LLC and the town of Foxboro as a part of the applicant’s gaming application.

No votes or decisions will be made at this hearing; it is simply intended as an opportunity for the Commission to gather information and gauge public sentiment relative to the Agreement.

The applicant and its agents and representatives shall attend the public hearing, may make a presentation, and respond to questions directed by the Commission. Representatives of the surrounding communities, and representatives of the impacted live entertainment venues may attend the public hearing, may make a presentation, and respond to questions about the Agreement as directed by the chair. Any other interested person may attend the public hearing and may make a presentation about the Agreement in the discretion of the Commission. The Commission will only accept comments about the Agreement.

Those who with to submit written comments in advance of the hearing about the Agreement may do so by sending an email to mgccomments@state.ma.us with the name of the applicant in the subject line. All comments received via email will be made public and distributed to the Commission for their review prior to the hearing.

Public officials from a host or surrounding community, representatives, of interested parties, and members of the host and surrounding communities who with to address the Commission about the Agreement at the hearing may place their name on the list of speakers by sending an email to mgccomments@state.ma.us with “Request to address the Commission/name of application in the subject line.

In order to use the available time most efficiently, each speaker’s presentation will be limited to five minutes.

In December, the Foxboro selectmen voted to sign a surrounding agreement with Springfield Gaming and Redevelopment LLC to cover the impact of a potential slot parlor at Plainridge Raceway in Plainville.

Members of Springfield Gaming and Redevelopment LLC includes Plainridge operator Penn National.