Longmeadow and West Springfield were not listed as surrounding communities in MGMs application to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.
LONGMEADOW — Select Board Chairwoman Marie Angelides said the town will submit a petition to be designated a surrounding community to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission by Jan. 13.
During a meeting this week, Angelides presented the Select Board with a timeline issued by the commission that includes a Feb. 6 date for towns to be designated surrounding communities.
"There are two ways to be designated, either MGM has to include you in their application which has already been submitted or the Gaming Commission has to approve the town," Angelides said.
Unlike several other communities, including Agawam, East Longmeadow, Ludlow and Wilbraham, both Longmeadow and West Springfield have not come to a mitigation agreement with MGM. The resort casino submitted its Phase II application on Dec. 31, 2013.
Angelides said the town has until Jan. 13 to submit the petition. On or around Jan. 23, the commission will host a public hearing to discuss the designated surrounding communities petitions.
On Feb. 6, the commission will decide whether to designate Longmeadow and West Springfield as surround communities.
If they are designated, the towns will have 30 days to negotiate a mitigation agreement with MGM, she said.
If after 30 days an agreement cannot be made the commission will ask both parties to enter into arbitration.
On March 17 an arbitrator will be chosen and on April 14 arbitration will end.
Angelides said that while the arbitrators decision is binding, the Gaming Commission has the right to amend the arbitrators decision, giving the commission the final say.