Foxwoods Unveils its Milford Casino Proposal, Selectmen Skeptical

Foxwoods Resort Casino and its partners are pursuing a resort casino complex of $1 billion in Milford, featuring 300,000-square-feet of developed space and 350 hotel rooms.

The proposal, outlined Monday in a meeting of the Milford Board of Selectmen, is one of three that is before the Massachusetts Gaming Commission for the greater Boston region. 

The now-named "Foxwoods Massachusetts" resort casino would include 4,725 slots, 125 game tables, 350 hotel rooms and an unidentified number of specialty restaurants, entertainment venues and other features, according to an overview.

In a brief presentation, Scott Butera, the chief executive officer of Foxwoods Resort Casino, addressed — in general terms — a few of the issues that have been raised as concerns by opponents. The resort, he said, should be "clean, safe, fun, easily accessed, and something everyone enjoys visiting."

Selectmen gave a cool reception to the information, with Chairman Brian Murray criticizing the development team for not having presented more detailed answers and information. He cited concerns expressed in Milford about the site, about traffic, about water capacity, dating back to 2009, when development partner David Nunes first discussed a casino development.

"No substantive work seems to have been done," Murray said.

He said he had expected to see more specifics at this point: "The time has passed for glossy pictures. We need to see some specifics. We need to know exactly how you are going to deal with the issues, the issues that have been identified for quite some time."

Selectman Dino DeBartolomeis said the state review process is compressed, making him question whether the developer could complete it by August, when a referendum for Milford voters would have be scheduled in order to meet the state's timeline.

"The worst thing in the world is to rush into anything," DeBartolomeis said.

Selectman William Buckley addressed what he called the "elephant in the room." A letter sent to town officials last week, "It's mind boggling that we would receive a letter like that from your partner," Buckley said. "It's a heck of a way to introduce this project."

The criticism expressed by each selectman drew loud applause in the audience at Milford Town Hall, its upper floor filled to capacity.

Butera emphasized that the concerns could be resolved.

The design for the facility would not be finished for another six weeks, he said, and would include suggestions from local residents.

He told selectmen Foxwoods Massachusetts had selected a site on Milford's Main Street, and would soon open a storefront shop, allowing people to stop in and offer suggestions.

"So not only is this a product of our work, but a product of great community involvement," he said.

The jobs at the resort casino will not be low-paying, he emphasized. "We do have quite a few high-paying job in the casino business. That's something we think we could bring to this community."

Addressing the financial stability of Foxwoods itself, Butera said the casino had restructured its debts and this agreement would be finalized in the next three weeks. The resort will have substantial assets available to invest, he said.

"All of our financial problems are well behind us."

The meeting was not a public hearing, although Milford Selectmen allowed a few speakers who requested time, to address the agenda item.