Foxborough Decides Not to Bet on Gambling

The odds were clearly not in favor of gambling being approved in the town of Foxborough.

Foxborough's Board of Selectmen voted 5-0, at Tuesday night's meeting on gaming, to not "support any zoning changes to gambling anywhere in the town of Foxborough."

Town Manager Kevin Paicos came before the board at Tuesday night's discussion on, to suggest that they consider approving zoning to allow gaming in Foxborough.

"The casino development community considers Foxborough an ideal location for development of the northern region casino," said Paicos.

Paicos also noted that the town was being approached by a number of developers.

"They came to Foxborough. We did not go to them," said Paicos.

A gambling bill, unveiled in late August on Beacon Hill, calls for a three-casino proposal in Massachusetts. For years, supporters of Casino gambling have been trying to make it legal in Massachusetts, a move that could result in 16,000 new jobs, NECN reports.

The bill would license three resort style casinos in three regions of Massachusetts and one slot machine only facility to be bid on competitively.

Paicos said that after considering the potential economic value to the town, that it would be "worthwhile to be in a position to have a seat at the table to discuss possible proposals from developers."

Approval of the zoning change to allow gaming would have provided the town an opportunity to be considered by developers and hear what they would have to offer.

Planning Board Vice Chairman, William Grieder, reviewed the history of "gaming" in town with selectmen and residents, which included town voters already turning down the possibility of gambling in Foxborough back in 2004.

"Hosting a gambling facility was a large issue in 2004," said Grieder.

After discussion among town officials, Foxborough residents were offered an opportunity to state their opinions on gaming. The overall tone from residents was similar and came in the form of the statement, "thanks, but no thanks."

Tony LaChapelle, former town selectmen, was among those who spoke up on the matter. LaChapelle made it clear that zoning is a big issue for every community and should not be taken lightly.

"Giving up a scared right of a community and that is to control our own destiny - Zoning is one of the few and most important methods we have as a community and citizens to control what we would do," said LaChapelle. "It defines the character of the community, the culture and what kind of community we want to live in.

"The zoning process is very important to what we do. This is a generational decision," continued LaChapelle.

Residents also voiced their concern over the impacts that a gambling facility would have on our police and fire departments.

Selectmen James Devellis, opposed to gaming in Foxborough, said the process the town would have to go through would ultimately "open the door for zoning that says, is gambling allowed or not?"

"This town is not equipped and should not be made equipped for a casino," noted board member Lynda Walsh.

Selectmen board member Lorraine Brue believed the town had already stated its opinion on gaming back in 2004, when town voters, voted down any changes to zoning that would have paved the way for gambling.

"The work has already been done, I am not in favor of even having the planning board do any work researching this," she said. "The town should not have to be put through this emotional review again."

Selectmen Mark Sullivan summed up the boards and many opposed town residents' thoughts on the issue of gaming.

"Its not the flavor of Foxborough," said Sullivan.