Slots session runs hot; Gaming Commission gets an earful.

Byline: Lynne Klaft

LANCASTER -- The Massachusetts Gaming Commission got an earful Monday -- 31/2 hours of commentary -- from residents who live in communities surrounding the proposed slots parlor off Route 117 in Leominster.

The forum was the first public meeting held in the state limited to input about The Cordish Companies' proposal for a $203 million, 26-acre slots-parlor complex with a multi-story building and parking for more than 850 cars.

Four of the five gaming commissioners, Chairman Stephen P. Crosby and members Bruce W. Stebbins, Enrique Zuniga and Gayle Cameron, heard 49 speakers voice opinions and concerns about the proposal.

So many people came to the meeting that a separate room with a video broadcast was set up. About another 50 project opponents remained outside through the hearing holding "No Slots'' signs. There were 49 residents from Leominster, Lancaster, Sterling, Fitchburg, Bolton, city and town officials and attorneys for the city of Fitchburg who asked to be heard.

Bolton Town Administrator Donald A. Lowe told the commissioners that he had lived in the area for 54 years.

"I read in one of the newspaper articles that Cordish dismisses the traffic impacts on Route 117, and I am telling you that there will be a significant impact on the towns of Bolton and Lancaster,'' said Mr. Lowe.

He said most local residents avoid Route 2 and he found online maps with directions to the slots-parlor site that routed drivers from Interstate 495 to Route 117.

Other speakers, including Leominster Police Chief Robert Healy, state Rep. Dennis Rosa, D-Leominster, David McKean of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce and Leominster Firefighter Fred LaValle, said they were happy with the company's proposals, the number of jobs that would be created, and mitigation funding offer in the host agreement.

"I worked with Cordish for six weeks and I believe they are honest. They will employ locally, Leominster has a 9.5 percent unemployment rate and they made a commitment to hire vets,'' said Mr. Rosa.

He added that the company made a commitment to Fitchburg State University and Mount Wachusett Community College...