CASINO & TOWN FACTS

No one discussing the Casino issue has talked about the mood and the atmosphere of the town and the possible impacts except for crime and security items, and the 24/7 nature of the activity. One needs to understand what and who we are, or were. Especially as the casino will change everything. Looking at the town and its differences with surrounding communities, such as Easton, Mansfield, Norfolk, Plainville, Sharon and Wrentham, is what makes it unique. Let me highlight the items:

+ age group 65+ is the largest as percent of population, an upward 14%, and the second largest in absolute numbers.

+ largest number and percentage of age 65 households, some 1500 units.

+ age group under 18 is the lowest as percent of population, declining 5% this decade, and as the number of children per household, at 0.63. We are the only one to show a slight declining public school enrollment (due to the Charter).

+ slowest new housing unit starts.

+ housing unit ownership at 70% is well above the state average. An investment has been made.

Seniors are most concerned over this proposal; many have indicated their intent to leave town if it passes. Many have remained, rather than heading to Florida as they are content, feel safe, having raised their families and with the environment here. As there are somewhere around 1500 units (census 2000 numbered 1239) if only one half of these “empty nesters” leave, this would add some 1300 new pupils to the system based on a 1.89 child per household with children (2000 census data). It should be obvious that new elderly occupants do not need the 3 or 4 bedroom units of the “empty nester”, and the replacement is only those with children or images thereof.

+ we will need a new elementary and large additions, some 20 classrooms + each, at the middle and high schools. This will cost some $25 million each plus land purchases.

+ the declining enrollment is predicted at roughly 20 per year as long as the hospital and the Lodge developments have not reached their predicted number of 150-200 new students (2010 number is 77). This decline would be flat otherwise.

Will Kraft and Wynn pay for these facilities, or will this new revenue be totally expended BY US in this regard?

The Town (and the area generally ) has a fairly high appraised housing valuation number. Where will the employees live, those that are not the administrators, but the several hundred maids, bellhops, kitchen help, valets, busboys, servers, etc? How will they travel to their worksite? … through the Milford MBTA connection only? Busses such as GATRA? And what happens during stadium events?

+ Will we be inundated with new 40B apartment complexes imposed on us in the single family zone R40? Or can we permit this only in Walpole or Norfolk?

+ will single family homes next to ours become 40B multi-family and unrelated multi person residences parking five and more cars?

One needs only to look at NW Las Vegas with its urban sprawl and grid layout to see our future. Nevada has the highest unemployment and the highest foreclosure and mortgage problem level in the country. And one should note that there is little else in Nevada but the gaming industry.

+ water use has increased from some 600 to over 900 million gallons annually over 30 years. Will water be supplied from Boston through Walpole by MWRA rather than the need for new wells, mains, pumps and standpipes at our cost?

+ sewage expansion has been a constant on our Town Meeting warrants for a decade or more. Will this new need only be added to the warrant at our expense, or will this also be piped through Walpole as with the water?

+ it has been suggested by some that this new revenue source can offset the cost of our own electric plant …

+ we have all heard of the public safety issues … we cannot forget the sub-stations on route 1 suggested in the past by the fire department, need for possible additional police cell development, and EMT coverage on a 24 hour basis … i.e., personnel?

Kraft and Wynn will present a public relations (SALES) masterpiece January 10th. It will include beautiful drawings, include numbers hard to refuse, and with smiles bigger than their face! Nothing will be negative! Will the opposition be given equal time, both to prepare a presentation, and to evaluate the claims and brush-offs of their presentation … i.e., they are given a month … will you?

My opinion is that we need to demonstrate now, or at least before that meeting that having that meeting is moot! If you can show 3000 or 3500 signatures, this is more than half of the electorate for the Scott and Patrick elections. This number voids any further discussion on this matter. We do not need a big sales pitch (and our cost for holding this session)… we only need a cancellation. Surprisingly Paicos came out on our side … I never expected this.

I am available if you wish to discuss this, or any other matter. Phone             508 543-9412       … email is dickheydecker@aol.com. I appreciate your efforts in this regard.

Dick Heydecker

(All data mentioned above is from U.S. Census, State and local sources.)