Crane prepares to revisit casino mitigation

Date: 7/18/2013

By Chris Maza

chrism@thereminder.com

LONGMEADOW — With the casino referendum in Springfield over and the project approved by residents, Longmeadow Town Manager Stephen Crane plans to go back to MGM Springfield officials to discuss mitigation.

Crane explained that while he had an initial “meet and greet” with MGM Springfield representatives, there have not been substantive talks since that time.

“We have had initiated discussions and I have talked with [East Longmeadow attorney and MGM local representative] Frank Fitzgerald,” he said, explaining that in the meantime he has continued to familiarize himself with the rules and regulations set forth by the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) and the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.

“When I reached out to [MGM] again, they told me, understandably, that they would prefer to wait until after July 17,” he said.

Crane said the first order of business would be to gain a better understanding of how the $800 million project would affect the town.

“We’re not demanding anything specifically,” he said.

At the center of Crane’s concerns is traffic and he said he hopes to have more Longmeadow roadways and intersections taken into consideration.

“The MEPA scope includes the Forest Glen [Road] and Longmeadow Street in the traffic study, but I would like to see it extend to more intersections,” he said. “I would certainly like to see it include intersections further to the south like Converse Street and Longmeadow Street as well as other streets that connect to Springfield, like Dickinson Street.”

Crane also indicated that water and sewer concerns would also be addressed in meetings with MGM Springfield.

“We buy our water from Springfield and our sewer goes into Springfield,” he said. “This could have an affect on things like our rates.”

Crane said after those discussions he would determine whether he feels Longmeadow should discuss with other communities the possibility of forming a coalition of abutting towns to ensure their interests are protected.