Windsor Locks casino project formally introduced

A casino at Bradley International Airport, which the joint tribal venture identified as a possible casino site last week, was not mentioned.

Residents were mainly in favor of the development, but only if the tribes could promise jobs to Windsor Locks residents and major improvements to roads and schools.　

"Current road conditions in town are in rough shape," Robert Shepard said. "Would you have a plan to partner with the town to improve those roads?"

Representatives from the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan joint venture known as MMCT said they were negotiating with Windsor Locks officials about how much aid they would provide the town if it was selected for the casino site.　

"What we will do is enter in negotiations with the town to see what, other than property taxes, we can do for Windsor Locks," Mohegan Tribal Authority Chairman Kevin Brown said.　

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The tribes, which formed the joint venture to pursue a Hartford-area casino, are now considering just two towns — Windsor Locks and East Windsor

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In Windsor Locks 76 acres of vacant tobacco fields along Route 20 are being considered, while a former Showcase Cinemas site is the contender in East Windsor.

A satellite casino in north-central Connecticut is being pushed as part of a strategy to compete with a $950 million casino and entertainment complex under construction in Springfield.

The idea is to retain jobs in Connecticut tied to the gambling industry and preserve funds the state gets monthly from slot revenue at Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun.

Brown said the development would help close Connecticut's $1.2 billion budget deficit by creating $77.9 million in tax revenue and more than 6,500 local jobs.

Any site and the expansion of casino gambling off tribal lands in Connecticut will need approval from the legislature.

Windsor Locks has said it will hold a referendum on the project, while East Windsor has said it does not need to in order to approve the development.

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For residents, the main question was what they´d get out of a casino in Windsor Locks　

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"Is there any extra compensation for Windsor Locks?" Mike Forschino asked.　

Residents were told that the tribes would provide for any extra police staffing needs as well as infrastructure improvements and traffic control.

"The traffic concerns that you have is a concern we have as business owners," Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council Chairman Rodney Butler said. "MMCT takes traffic concerns very seriously."　

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Other residents see the casino as a way for the town to grow

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"Not much had changed here," said Justin McKinney, a 23-year resident. "I think the casino will give us a way to fund the police department, the increase the police force."　

George Criscitelli was all for the development.　

"Sounds good to me. I have two kids in town and if it's going to be better go ahead."　

Other weren't so sure that a casino was good news.　

"I'm against the casino for the social impact ... you're just trying to fill our eyes with all the things money can fix," William Russo said.　

Patrick Cahill echoed similar thoughts and worried about the effect on the police department.　

"I am completely against this. I don't think this is good for Windsor Locks," he said. "How many more police will be needed?"　

Windsor Locks First Selectman Christopher Kervick said he wasn't sure if he supported the casino but was open to hearing more information and following the process.　

"I am pleased with the progress of the negotiations up until this point," Kervick said. "I don't have enough information to form an opinion right now ... but we need jobs that pay a livable wage with benefits. We need tax relief."