Comments

• On the article TELL US: Should Convicted Teens Receive 'Fairer' Sentences?

  Traci Longa

  9:25 am on Wednesday, January 30, 2013

  Coincidentally I was reading an article yesterday about a defense attorney in Vegas. She has a very interesting perspective and opinion on this coming from the front lines of a court system... www.theveldgroup.com/www/Las%20Vegas%20Life%20Article.pdf

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• On the article Foxborough to Keep Watch on Proposed Racino in Plainville

  Traci Longa

  5:06 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013

  For clarification purposes... The application that is due today is only the Phase 1 application. It is used for determining the suitability of the applicant and all involved. Basically a background and financial check to make sure they can build and maintain the development. So, there will be nothing regarding host or surrounding communities. Phase 2 of the application process will be the development itself and the impacts/mitigation to the local communities. If a developer passes Phase 1 they will then continue to Phase 2 which could happen as early as February or as late as June.

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• On the article What Should Fill This Empty Retail Space at Hercules Plaza on Rte 1?

  Traci Longa

  10:43 am on Tuesday, January 15, 2013

  Great idea Jeremie! The town I used to live in had a "Business Wish List" which guided and contributed greatly to the Economic Development Committees' ability to attract new businesses!

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• On the article Letter from The Kraft Group to Foxborough: 'With Your Help, We Can Do More'

  Traci Longa

  10:13 am on Thursday, September 13, 2012

  Dennis, can I ask exactly why "becoming more of a Kraft Group company town" is a bad thing? I have only seen positive impacts to the town of Foxboro through our relationship with the Kraft Group. Is there something I am missing?

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• On the article Town Documents Show Kraft Group Doesn’t ‘Owe’ Foxborough Money for Sewer

  Traci Longa

  8:06 pm on Friday, September 7, 2012

  Thank you Jeremie for reporting the facts! I've been reading these documents over the last week and you are spot on!! I really hope this helps put all of this back to 2007 where it belongs and proceed to deal with the current issues. Kraft is looking to develop Route 1 which will only help this town financially. It doesn't cost us a thing to give them LL's so let's get into some serious, unbiased discussions with them and look at all the details.

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• On the article No Foxboro Casino Group to Air Video on Connecticut Casinos

  Traci Longa

  3:44 pm on Friday, April 27, 2012

  Jay,
  Very good ?s and yes, there will be more traffic on Route one but, the only way to stop that is not develop the land which isn't an option.
  I also understand your concern for property values, I too own a home in Foxboro. The reason that this development could actually positively effect our prop values more than others is the revenue it will generate.We will recieve around $15mil/yr from taxes alone, not to mention any charitable donations they make to different groups in the community.For a comparison, we recieve around $5mil/yr from Gillette plus they make many generous donations to our community.This is why we are more financially stable compared to other towns.There isn't another development like Wynn that could match that revenue and it's on Route 1, which doesn't effect the character of our town.
  It is an extremely large amount of revenue for a town of 17,000 residents and a $60mil/year budget. With that revenue we could have the best schools in the state. We could have the best youth sports fields and facilities in the state. We could build a new town hall, fix the school buildings, pay our town employees what they deserve, and have a surplus to use towards reducing taxes or other future projects.
  Property values are based on people's desire to live in a community. Having a development that can bring us all of these benefits would make it an extremely attractive place to live.To see what it's all about http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sb4Fs4tJ4Us

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• On the article Jobs for Foxboro Announces Steering Committee

  Traci Longa

  8:41 am on Tuesday, March 27, 2012

  Rich O, I addressed your post regarding costs to the host community above. As for Taxes, our taxes may not have gone down but, the revenue generated by Gillette and Patriot Place has allowed Foxboro to be one of the more financially stable towns in the area. Like everyone else, we have been effected by the poor economy but, we have not faced lay-offs like surrounding towns, only hiring freezes. Unlike some surrounding towns, we do not pay fees for things like riding the school bus. Even with the $ from this development we are not guaranteed that our property taxes will go down, that is not for the developer to determine but, for the town to determine what the money is used for. And, I agree, that promises made deserve a healthy dose of skeptisism... that is why you hire experts to evaluate and negotiate the agreement. The Bill requires the host agreement to be extremely detailed and does not allow for unknowns that they can back out of. Once finalized, the developer has to stand by that detailed agreement or there are major consequences for them.

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• On the article Jobs for Foxboro Announces Steering Committee

  

  Traci Longa

  8:19 am on Tuesday, March 27, 2012

  Within Section 15, item 11 - it states that a nonrefundable application fee of $400,000 is to be paid for processing the application and investigating the applicant. Of which "not LESS than $50k" shall be used to reimburse the host and surrounding municipalities for their costs. It also states that if the costs exceed the initial fee, the applicant shall pay the additional amount within 30 days. Also, Section 15, item 8 - states that the host agreement shall include a community impact fee for the host community and all stipulations of responsibilities between said host and applicant. So, yes, ALL of our costs can and will be covered. It would be negotiated and included in the Host Agreement. When we open negotiations, we could even request that the developer pay those costs upfront. The Bill is written to protect the host community and states the minimum requirements but, we have the ability to negotiate over and above the requirements if so desired. We have nothing to lose to see what we could potentially gain.

• On the article Jobs for Foxboro Announces Steering Committee

  

  Traci Longa

  9:24 am on Monday, March 26, 2012

  It will most likely cost tens of thousands... but by law, the developer has to pay all of those costs if we enter into negotiations. Even if we vote it down in the end, they STILL have to pay. There is nothing to lose so, let's see what we could possibly gain. I know one gain would be for this town to heal because unless this is brought to a town-wide vote, that will not be possible for many residents.

• On the article Would a Casino in Foxborough Put Your Home's Value at Risk?

  Traci Longa

  4:09 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012

  Amy, out of complete curiosity... do Trolls get paid or is it primarily a hobby?

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