Officials: Area towns not getting a fair deal on casino revenue

Region’s share called inadequate

By MICHAEL GANNON

Norwich Bulletin

Posted Jul 19, 2009

Lisbon, Conn.

Lisbon First Selectman Thomas Sparkman did not need a recent state casino impact report to tell him what municipal leaders in Southeastern Connecticut have known for years — the state shortchanges communities near Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun.

The trick now is for local governments to make sure the 390-page report, delivered June 22 by the New Jersey-based Spectrum Gaming Group, leads to action. Among the report’s conclusions: The state under-collects and under-distributes portions of casino revenue intended to offset some of the negative impacts in the region as a result of the gaming resorts.

“We’ll continue to press our (legislative) delegation to make sure this report doesn’t sit on a shelf,” said Sparkman, chairman of the Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments. “We want them to monitor what happens, to make sure it doesn’t sit idle.”

“We believe the report is factual,” Norwich City Manager Alan Bergren said. “The casinos have had great positive impacts on the region. But they also have had an impact on the ability of the city and the region to keep up with increased traffic, and an influx of visitors and new residents. We believe the state has to recognize that.”

The Mohegan-Pequot Fund was set up to collect the 25 percent of slot revenue the state receives from the casinos each month. Connecticut keeps about two-thirds of the money, and distributes the rest to its 169 municipalities.

The report estimates that Norwich alone has casino-related costs of between $1 million and $2.5 million per year. Sparkman said host communities Montville (Mohegan Sun) and Ledyard (Foxwoods) bear the brunt.

“But small towns have spillover from people coming to and from casinos through their communities,” he said.

While she would love more funding, Sprague First Selectman Catherine Osten said even indirect assistance, such as staffing increases at the Troop E state police barracks in Montville, would help.

“Troop E has been hit by the state’s early retirement offer,” she said. “They should be fully staffed.”

Chuck Bunnell, the Mohegans’ chief of staff, said tribal leadership supports increased compensation for the towns.

“We remain committed to our initial agreement ... and to work together to find a remedy in the Legislature,” Bunnell said.

William Satti, liaison for the Mashantucket Pequots, said they also agree, but the report makes no direct recommendations.

“There’s nothing specific,” he said.

Sparkman said tribal support is a big advantage, though he, too, is troubled by the lack of specificity.

“I think the report could have gone further in offering remedies,” he said.

http://www.norwichbulletin.com/casinos/x1885902879/Officials-Area-towns-not-getting-a-fair-deal-on-casino-revenue