In other news, the New North Citizens Council has endorsed the casino project proposed by MGM Resorts International, five months after supporting a competitor, Penn National, which is no longer in the running.
PALMER - A Mohegan Sun official said a host community agreement should be ready around July 15, but the town manager thinks that's too soon.
Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority's chief executive, Mitchell G. Etess, told the crowd gathered at Palmer High School on Monday that the agreement, which spells out payments to the town and traffic mitigation, among other conditions for the project to occur, would be completed in two weeks.
Town Manager Charles T. Blanchard said on Tuesday that a more realistic timetable for the agreement to be completed would be later this month.
"A lot has to be done in the next few weeks," Blanchard said.
Blanchard said the next negotiation session is scheduled for next week, and said a lot of the reports are still being vetted by the town's consultants.
"The (town) council has seen very little as far as these studies," Blanchard said.
The completed host community agreement would be presented to the Town Council, which votes to put it on the ballot, with voters having the final say. A referendum can be scheduled anywhere from 60 to 90 days after an agreement is received by the council.
And while Etess said Mohegan is eying a date of Sept. 15 for a referendum, at least one councilor said he would like to wait closer to the 90-day time period to present the vote.
"I don't support a 60 day referendum . . . I think it's important to take the time to support all the impact studies. I think the more time the better," At-large Councilor Paul E. Burns said. "There's no need to push it through in 60 days."
District 4 Councilor Donald Blais Jr. said he does not have a problem with the 60 day timetable as long as there is enough time for people to read the host community agreement and understand it.
At-large Councilor Jason Polonsky said they have not even seen a draft of the host community agreement, and is excited about getting more information over the next few weeks.
At-large Councilor Mary A. Salzmann said "anything's possible" at this point, as the council has not seen the impact studies.
"I want to look at them and see what's actually happening," Salzmann said. "If we have to go to 90 (days), I'd rather go to 90 especially when voters need to look at it."
Mohegan Sun officials unveiled the latest designs for their $1 billion "Mohegan Sun Massachusetts" proposal across from the Massachusetts Turnpike exit 8 interchange on Thorndike Street (Route 32). The Connecticut-based casino operator is competing with MGM Resorts International in Springfield and Hard Rock International in West Springfield for the lone Western Massachusetts casino license.
In other casino news news, the New North Citizens Council in Springfield has endorsed the casino project proposed by MGM Resorts International, five months after supporting a competitor, Penn National, which is no longer in the running. The New North Citizens Council's Board of Directors voted unanimously on June 26. The citizens council represents the Brightwood and Memorial Square neighborhoods.
MGM is proposing an $800 million casino along the Main Street corridor in the South End-downtown district.
Citizens Council President Jose A. Gonzalez praised the MGM project in a letter to Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and the City Council.
“MGM Springfield conducted their presentation, heard our concerns, and returned to participate in discussions with us that addressed employment; fair market rents; educational development opportunities; as well as social justice issues that will impact everyone in the City of Springfield,” Gonzalez said. “We will focus on getting the word to the residents to come out on July 16th and vote yes for MGM Springfield.”
William Hornbuckle, MGM Resorts President and Chief Marketing Officer and MGM Springfield president said the company is “thrilled” to have the New North Citizens Council’s endorsement. “This well-respected community organization has the best interest of the residents of Springfield in mind,” Hornbuckle said. “We are honored that they believe in our project and will partner with us to bring out voters for a yes vote on July 16th.”
Meanwhile, the Political Action Council of Greater Springfield, in collaboration with groups representing blacks and other minorities, was scheduled to have a private, closed-door meeting with MGM Resorts International Tuesday night to discuss the impact of MGM’s casino project on communities of color.
Representatives of The Political Action Council, the Urban League of Greater Springfield, the Greater Springfield branch of the NAACP, and the Black Leadership Alliance met with MGM officials at the La Quinta Inn and Suites, 100 Congress St.
Staff writer Peter Goonan contributed to this report.