Nearby cities of Springfield and West Springfield are considering casnio resorts.
CHICOPEE — With plans to open a casino in West Springfield or Springfield progressing, the City Council is taking steps to protect residents from problems with overflow traffic and other issues.
The state law passed law in 2011 that allows casino resorts in the state, calls for the municipal leader of a community that hosts a casino to negotiate contracts with the commercial gaming industry to develop measures to alleviate any negative effects of gambling projects.
But Massachusetts also requires developers to reach separate, written mitigation agreements with each community that might border or be close to a host community.
“This is our first step in forming a standing committee to work on resort casinos and gaming,” said Councilor Timothy McLellan said.
Chicopee is a direct neighbor to Springfield, where Mayor Domenic J. Sarno has selected MGM Resorts International to build a casino in the South End of the city. City residents are scheduled to vote on whether they want the resort in the city in July.
At the same time, West Springfield, which does not share a border with Chicopee but is directly across the Connecticut River from the city, is considering a proposal by Hard Rock International to open a casino resort at the Eastern States Exposition.
The third proposal in Western Massachusetts is from the Connecticut-based Mohegan Sun to build a casino in Palmer.
The committee will be made up of seven council members, said Council President George R. Moreau.
He said the group will meet as frequently as necessary depending on the progress made to get casinos situated in Springfield or West Springfield.
“At least we won’t wait until the last minute to do something,” Moreau said. “What happens if the state allows another one?”
Several months ago there was also a preliminary proposal by Paper City Development to convert the former Cabotville Mill in downtown Chicopee into a casino. The last minute proposal died in January when the Massachusetts Gaming Commission rejected requests from Mayor Michael D. Bissonnette and Paper City Development to extend the deadline for casino license applications.
But if a proposal returns to the city, the committee will also be used to oversee it, Moreau said.
