Donald Setters, Somerset Selectmen Chairman, announced that the casino project for Somerset is not likely to be abandoned. Last week, during a board meeting, Mr. Setters said that although the project in question is “a long shot”, Somerset officials would do their best to make everything go according to the initial plan.
Currently, two developers are interested in completing the casino project in the southeastern part of Massachusetts. Somerset on the Move and Crossroads Massachusetts are expected to work in collaboration and the Massachusetts Gaming Commission granted them a 60-day period for providing the necessary paperwork and submitting their proposal. The casino is believed to be situated near Route 103 and it will spread over 100 acres of land.
As for the other casino proposals for New Bedford and Brockton, they are likely to pose a setback for the completion of the Somerset casino project.
During the meeting, Mr. Setters also said that apart from the casino, Somerset officials are considering other alternatives for boosting the local economy. The selectmen have already taken imminent actions towards achieving the goal of establishing a casino in the area.
Yet, no information related to the buildings that are to be constructed on the property has been released so far. Mr. Setters expressed his hopes that soon it will become clear what the next step would be.
Although the presence of a casino in Somerset would bring substantial financial benefits, the selectmen do not rely solely on the development of the gambling sector in order to stabilize Somerset’s economy.
In point of fact, the casino proposal and all procedures that go along with it do not cost a dime to the town since a special agreement has been signed. Commissions will be paid on grounds that the proposal receives state authorities’ approval and a casino is built in Somerset, indeed.
James Burke, the Committee Chairman of Somerset Economic Development also commented on the casino proposal and said that Somerset residents should be engaged in the project. Giving them the chance to cast their vote was barely enough.
According to Mr. Burke, the most sensible thing is allowing Somerset residents to take part in the process of figuring out all details related to the project. Their opinion is regarded as extremely important when it comes to compiling a plan that would bring more advantages to the region than disadvantages.
For that purpose, a lot of public meetings have to be organized and all pros and cons of the casino project should be discussed with the residents. What is more the Selectman David Berube has already suggested the idea for involving residents in the casino project to one of the Somerset on the Move officials who found the idea particularly appealing.
