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Hardwick Public Hearing: Horse Racing License Application Review

Original title: Hardwick, MA Gaming Commission Public Hearing 10/18/22

These meeting notes are AI-generated and unofficial. They are provided for convenience and are not official Town records or approved municipal minutes. Verify all details using the source video and official Town documents.

Meeting details

Date

October 18, 2022

Duration

2h 41m

Decisions

2 recorded

Action Items

3 assigned

Summary

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) held a public hearing in Hardwick, MA, to gather input on an application from Commonwealth Equine and Agricultural Center LLC (CEAC) for a new horse racing license. The local Board of Selectmen also convened a contemporaneous meeting for transparency, which was immediately adjourned following a motion. The MGC Chair, Kathy Judson, clarified that no decision would be made at this hearing, with an adjudicatory hearing and deliberations scheduled for late October/early November, and a final decision deadline of November 15th. Public comments largely expressed concerns about the rushed timeline, lack of transparency, environmental impact on protected lands, potential traffic congestion, and the suitability of a commercial racetrack for Hardwick's rural character, while the applicant and some residents highlighted potential economic benefits and job creation.

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Discussion Highlights

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) is reviewing an application from Commonwealth Equine and Agricultural Center LLC (CEAC) for a license to hold or conduct a new racing meeting.
The local Board of Selectmen convened a concurrent public meeting for transparency, which was immediately adjourned following a vote.
The MGC will not make a decision at this hearing; an adjudicatory hearing and deliberations are scheduled for late October/early November, with a decision deadline of November 15th.
Public comments were directed to the MGC, with a two-minute time limit per speaker.
The applicant, CEAC, presented an overview, stating the project is for horse enthusiasts, focuses on racing, and is consistent with agricultural preservation zoning.
CEAC highlighted potential benefits including an estimated $500,000 in additional annual taxes for Hardwick (an 8% increase in unrestricted revenue) and over 100 expected local jobs.
CEAC committed to a Community Agreement with enforceable commitments, including a local advisory committee and a practice plan, and stated they would cover all event expenses and cleanup.
Numerous residents expressed concerns about the rushed timeline for public review (5 weeks for the town vs. years for developers).
Concerns were raised regarding the suitability of a commercial racetrack on land under an Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) and its potential impact on the town's rural character.
Speakers questioned the environmental impact, particularly on Great Meadow Farm, which is regulated under the Mass Wildlife Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, noting the application did not list this status.
Significant worries about traffic congestion were voiced, with estimates of 3,000-5,000 attendees on race days, contrasting Hardwick's winding, two-lane roads with major metropolitan areas.
Questions were raised about the enforceability of CEAC's commitment to only two race days per year, given state regulations that typically require 20+ days for a license.
The Board of Health expressed concerns about the accelerated timeline, lack of information sharing, and their inability to assign a location or render a position until further review.
Some residents and union representatives spoke in favor, emphasizing the economic opportunities, job creation, and the potential for the project to address the town's financial struggles and improve services like emergency response.
Concerns were raised about the welfare of horses after racing and the need for support for horse rescues.
The MGC clarified the procedural sequence regarding local approval, citizen petitions, and the suspension of a location decision if a petition is filed.

Transcript (14,147 words)

Lightly cleaned for readability. Each timestamp opens the video at that point.

00:00:03
My name is Kathy Judson I'm chairman commission I wish to thank you all for the hospitality today thank you very much all of the town of Hardwick's a generous accommodations here at this beautiful setting on this lovely day Tuesday
00:00:22
I'd like to introduce my my fellow commissioner Mission commissioner Eileen O'Brien to my left thank you Skinner
00:00:40
Liam are competing today in conjunction with application acting for us for horse racing it is [Applause] so again we thank you for accommodating us I want you to first attempt to one important piece of housekeeping on the
00:01:01
Local select board has convened a contemporaneous public meeting that will come today along with our public hearing as a matter of transparency and for its full compliance with the open meeting law uh throughout the course of today's meeting any public comments will be
00:01:20
Directed to the Massachusetts gaming commission as I mentioned the purpose of our mandated public hearing hearing so at this point I'd like to turn uh the meeting over to chair uh Julie uh Frank and thank you
00:01:38
Again uh chairwoman for accommodating us today we appreciate it and it will allow you to open your meetings thank you I'm going to speak loudly as I fall speak loudly without a microphone I have a loud enough voice so hopefully it carries so
00:01:56
[Applause] so um I'm opening the uh Tuesday October 18th Board of selectman meeting as you heard from chair of the gaming commission uh we opened or we schedule this meeting jointly it's their meeting
00:02:15

[00:00:01] uh [00:00:03] my name is Kathy Judson I'm chairman [00:00:05] commission I wish to thank you all for [00:00:08] the hospitality [00:00:10] today thank you very much all of the [00:00:12] town of Hardwick's a generous [00:00:16] accommodations here at this beautiful [00:00:18] setting on this lovely day [00:00:20] um Tuesday [00:00:22] I'd like to introduce my my fellow [00:00:25] commissioner [00:00:26] Mission commissioner Eileen O'Brien to [00:00:28] my left [00:00:31] thank you [00:00:33] Skinner [00:00:40] Liam are competing today in conjunction [00:00:43] with application acting for us for horse [00:00:46] racing it is [00:00:48] [Applause] [00:00:50] so again we thank you for accommodating [00:00:54] us I want you to first attempt to one [00:00:57] important piece of housekeeping on the [00:01:01] local select board has convened a [00:01:03] contemporaneous public meeting that will [00:01:06] come today along with our public hearing [00:01:09] as a matter of transparency and for its [00:01:12] full compliance with the open meeting [00:01:14] law uh throughout the course of today's [00:01:17] meeting any public comments will be [00:01:20] directed to the Massachusetts gaming [00:01:22] commission as I mentioned the purpose of [00:01:25] our mandated public hearing [00:01:28] hearing so at this point I'd like to [00:01:29] turn uh the meeting over to [00:01:33] um chair uh Julie uh Frank and thank you [00:01:38] again uh chairwoman for accommodating us [00:01:41] today we appreciate it and it will allow [00:01:45] you to open your meetings [00:01:47] thank you I'm going to speak loudly [00:01:49] as I fall [00:01:51] um speak loudly without a microphone I [00:01:53] have a loud enough voice so hopefully it [00:01:54] carries so um [00:01:56] [Applause] [00:01:59] so um I'm opening the uh Tuesday October [00:02:04] 18th Board of selectman meeting as you [00:02:07] heard from chair of the gaming [00:02:09] commission uh we opened or we schedule [00:02:12] this meeting jointly it's their meeting [00:02:15] but we scheduled a selectments meeting [00:02:17] for the purpose of transparency to make [00:02:19] sure that if any questions came to the [00:02:22] board that we already compliance with [00:02:24] open meeting law this is not our meeting [00:02:26] as she mentioned any questions are for [00:02:28] the gaming commission and not for the [00:02:30] board [00:02:31] um is it the board's pleasure to adjourn [00:02:34] the meeting [00:02:35] immediately following the gaming [00:02:37] commission's hearing [00:02:39] I would make a motion to adjourn [00:02:41] immediately following [00:02:42] a second [00:02:44] so it's been moved and seconded what [00:02:45] that means is we will not be an open [00:02:47] session after the commission finishes [00:02:50] after they finish our meeting will [00:02:51] automatically adjourn all in favor [00:02:55] aye [00:02:56] um [00:02:56] welcome to Hardwick thank you for coming [00:03:00] to our community we're excited [00:03:03] see how this goes [00:03:05] um I know our towns people probably have [00:03:08] many many requested [00:03:10] for you I'll turn it back to the chair [00:03:12] thank you [00:03:15] thank you chairman [00:03:17] before I get started and officially talk [00:03:19] to order our meeting I wish to [00:03:22] acknowledge the caterer of our cookies [00:03:25] and coffee today your phone call Mimi's [00:03:28] House of cardwick Megan Jolla and we are [00:03:31] delighted that she was able to [00:03:32] accommodate us thank you [00:03:35] so I do call to order our public hearing [00:03:39] and public meeting today is Tuesday [00:03:42] October 18 2022 and I do have some [00:03:46] follow me marks to make first before we [00:03:49] we invite you to public comments this is [00:03:53] a public hearing before the [00:03:54] Massachusetts gaining commission [00:03:56] relative to the application for a [00:03:59] license to hold or conduct a new racing [00:04:02] meeting submitted by Commonwealth equine [00:04:06] and Agricultural Center LLC [00:04:09] we also will call it ciac [00:04:12] as I indicated my name is Kathy [00:04:14] juddstein and I am chair of the [00:04:15] Massachusetts gaming commission and I am [00:04:17] delighted to be joined today by my [00:04:18] fellow Commissioners commissioner Hill [00:04:21] Maynard O'Brien and Skinner [00:04:24] as you may know the commission has the [00:04:27] authority to issue a licensed to uphold [00:04:30] or conduct a racing meeting to ceac [00:04:35] public support for this proposal or lack [00:04:38] thereof [00:04:39] is a fact that the commission will [00:04:41] evaluate [00:04:43] in making the finals aboard of the [00:04:46] license [00:04:47] accordingly your presence here today and [00:04:51] have written comments you have submitted [00:04:53] will play an important role in the [00:04:55] decision [00:04:56] thank you for being a part of this [00:04:58] process [00:05:00] before we begin the public hearing I [00:05:03] would like to lay out the process and [00:05:04] establish the crown rules that will [00:05:06] follow [00:05:07] the hearing which is provide [00:05:10] provides read [00:05:11] chapter 128 a of Massachusetts general [00:05:14] laws is intended to afford an [00:05:18] opportunity to offer input and comment [00:05:21] on the application to any entity a [00:05:24] member of the public who is interested [00:05:27] the hearing will begin with a [00:05:29] presentation by the applicant many of [00:05:31] whom are sitting with representatives [00:05:33] are sitting in the front [00:05:35] presentation we will open the floor to [00:05:38] public comments [00:05:40] at the conclusion of the comments from [00:05:42] members of the public we will afford the [00:05:44] applicant an opportunity to make any [00:05:46] closing comments it would [00:05:50] like a commissioner May at any time ask [00:05:52] one of the African or anyone else this [00:05:54] is marked up as a public meeting in [00:05:57] addition to a public hearing [00:05:59] they also may wish to Simply comment [00:06:01] the one thing I do know is that we are [00:06:04] all very appreciative of your attendance [00:06:06] today [00:06:07] in an effort to make the best use of all [00:06:09] of our time we ask that any member of [00:06:12] the public proceed as follows [00:06:15] them first [00:06:17] there will be an opportunity for members [00:06:19] of the public to address the commission [00:06:21] if you register to speak on the kids [00:06:24] website by 4 pm today your name has [00:06:27] already been added to the list [00:06:30] we will begin with the names from that [00:06:32] list [00:06:33] and if there is time remaining we will [00:06:35] open it to comments from other community [00:06:37] members who are present the sign up in [00:06:39] person today when they arrived or if [00:06:42] they put by the [00:06:43] during the proceedings to Crystal motion [00:06:46] and are on the list crystal is seated at [00:06:51] second when I call your name [00:06:54] state your name [00:06:55] and tell us where you're from [00:06:57] and who you represent as applicable [00:07:02] third in order to ensure that everyone [00:07:04] who wants to speak [00:07:06] gets an opportunity to do so we are [00:07:09] going to limit the time [00:07:11] sadly [00:07:12] [Music] [00:07:12] um [00:07:13] and if it turns out that we need more [00:07:16] time I do reserve the right to reduce it [00:07:19] to one minute I guess a time limit that [00:07:22] you're familiar with here when you speak [00:07:24] in front of the month of celebrity [00:07:28] or if you have a question that you would [00:07:30] like [00:07:31] the applicant to address please address [00:07:34] the cut question to me directly and then [00:07:37] I will speak to the applicant [00:07:41] finally we recognize [00:07:44] the great Passion that many of you have [00:07:46] in regard to this subject matter [00:07:49] we welcome your comments to reflect that [00:07:52] passion [00:07:53] however in order for this part of the [00:07:56] process to [00:07:57] its greatest value [00:07:59] to tremendously important that the [00:08:01] discourse here today be respectful [00:08:05] and our big shot from being here for [00:08:08] such a short time that that is a core [00:08:10] value of this community [00:08:14] from those who have submitted written [00:08:16] comments about this application please [00:08:19] know [00:08:20] the question will be viewed and consider [00:08:22] each and every one of them [00:08:25] we thank you for taking the time to [00:08:27] memorialize your comments in writing [00:08:32] and we also thank you for your interest [00:08:33] again today [00:08:38] to add [00:08:43] so with that I'm going to ask if the [00:08:46] Apple can come forward please identify [00:08:48] its representatives and attendance today [00:08:51] and begin its presentation and then [00:08:53] we'll turn to the best of you who look [00:08:56] forward to hearing them [00:09:02] good afternoon my name is Patrick [00:09:05] and I represent [00:09:08] equine connector [00:09:12] and equity [00:09:13] for having us here today [00:09:21] for [00:09:23] enforcement [00:09:24] under Attorney General [00:09:30] practice [00:09:32] most of that time [00:09:36] before the gaming Commission [00:09:39] foreign [00:09:59] [Applause] [00:10:05] [Music] [00:10:09] we recognize [00:10:11] recognize the input [00:10:13] the application [00:10:21] right now [00:10:23] an overview of the project [00:10:24] [Applause] [00:10:27] thank you very much [00:10:32] thank you Patrick [00:10:36] thank you for giving us this opportunity [00:10:38] and members of the commissioner [00:10:41] and to rest [00:10:46] we've gotten to know this thing [00:10:51] to [00:10:56] with folks to discuss [00:10:58] we've handed out [00:11:03] to q a [00:11:07] so that [00:11:15] to the board of [00:11:28] very [00:11:37] different [00:11:40] than the fall this is a [00:11:43] course Enthusiast correspondence [00:11:47] that focuses first and foremost by [00:11:53] in racing [00:11:54] and racing is [00:12:08] 359 acres and the adjacent parcels [00:12:16] under reviews as part of [00:12:17] the enforce retirement [00:12:23] preparing [00:12:31] and then [00:12:32] it can be to [00:12:33] Force [00:12:41] not following us [00:12:47] questions [00:12:56] this consistent [00:12:57] Zone [00:13:00] of community [00:13:01] is and the agricultural preservation [00:13:07] Force [00:13:11] of our actual [00:13:22] erasing standards [00:13:25] the legislature has provided funds to [00:13:28] the resource Development Fund Etc [00:13:31] for racing and a question [00:13:34] is often asked [00:13:36] is the connection between the the [00:13:40] funds that are collected [00:13:46] as we were prepared for the speed Ing we [00:13:47] were talking to Richard field [00:13:49] and Robin met with with readers and [00:13:52] horse owners [00:13:55] a decade ago [00:13:57] the Commonwealth averaged 35 folds a [00:13:59] year [00:14:01] that [00:14:04] put me into [00:14:18] dealing with because as Dr Mullen from [00:14:23] UMass wrote [00:14:32] a report for respond [00:14:33] through the [00:14:39] Revenue [00:14:41] Terriers and [00:14:47] we believe this facility here [00:14:51] partnered with [00:14:53] bring him on [00:15:00] and through the generation of those [00:15:02] revenues to sustain and to be [00:15:07] happening [00:15:09] other properties [00:15:19] and so it's important to understand what [00:15:22] we see as the relationship this is not [00:15:25] merely a [00:15:26] Trend or [00:15:28] the owners to make [00:15:32] a lot [00:15:34] but some it's a for-profit and [00:15:37] but in addition to that they will pop [00:15:45] up horse farms agricultural interests [00:15:49] interest state we've applied [00:15:59] to the folk [00:16:03] s [00:16:06] is there kind of behave [00:16:08] will be able to race and then they'll be [00:16:13] there'll be [00:16:18] minimal distress [00:16:21] on this side [00:16:23] [Music] [00:16:32] we will work with the community in terms [00:16:34] of putting up tents [00:16:37] for food for um [00:16:45] and [00:16:48] thereafter [00:16:49] they're committed to the community then [00:16:50] any and all expenses [00:16:55] system works clean up [00:16:57] Etc that we would [00:16:59] assembly ourselves [00:17:07] given to them by the con ALS and any [00:17:10] additional taxes [00:17:18] to put that in perspect [00:17:26] Ive perspective so it's about an eight [00:17:27] percent increase in [00:17:29] unrestricted revenue for the community [00:17:32] in addition to that [00:17:36] to the employees most of those [00:17:41] property and we expect 100 or more [00:17:45] um [00:17:47] exploring for Festival [00:17:51] assisting [00:17:53] with something that's worth noting [00:17:58] in his community [00:18:08] in our [00:18:15] which will provide [00:18:17] good short [00:18:26] time so we see [00:18:32] with issues of poverty [00:18:34] poverty they may be the 25 or 50 jobs [00:18:37] where people choose [00:18:43] um [00:18:44] a couple of other pieces we [00:18:49] and submitted to the [00:18:53] Community agreement we are fully [00:18:55] committed to making all of our [00:18:56] commitments enforceable in [00:19:02] um [00:19:02] and included in that was a local advisor [00:19:14] in the review in [00:19:15] a review [00:19:18] practice plan [00:19:25] um and I guess I'll stop there and we [00:19:28] look forward to answering the Public's [00:19:30] questions and working with uh [00:19:41] before we continue I just want to point [00:19:43] out that the gaming commission will not [00:19:45] be making a decision today [00:19:47] and in fact we will be holding an [00:19:50] adjudicatory hearing and [00:19:53] um and deliberations later [00:19:56] um [00:19:57] that's the day in November so I actually [00:20:00] maybe the end of this month and we do [00:20:03] have a deadline of November 15th to make [00:20:06] our decision licenses and stash [00:20:09] so I just want to point out that [00:20:11] commission has a good deal of work ahead [00:20:13] of it [00:20:15] and then I also wanted to point out that [00:20:17] our director of racing called me right [00:20:19] before [00:20:21] I came into the building and that's Dr [00:20:24] Alex whitebaum she's been in the racing [00:20:28] Community for a long time a veterinarian [00:20:30] as well she's an important member of a [00:20:33] team she would have liked event here [00:20:35] that she really did not feel about so [00:20:37] she decided to turn [00:20:39] so we're just going to be thinking Dr [00:20:41] Leica as the meeting proceeds [00:20:46] so I'm going to call today uh first for [00:20:50] our speaker [00:20:51] um Senator goby is here and so we invite [00:20:54] her to [00:20:56] life [00:20:57] thank you so much [00:21:08] thank you very much [00:21:17] resources [00:21:20] of getting my former colleague and [00:21:21] friendly Hill and I thank you for [00:21:23] joining us in Prague I know that you [00:21:25] mentioned that there will be a [00:21:27] two-minute limit [00:21:28] does not seem [00:21:31] time however Abraham Lincoln delivered a [00:21:34] thing called The Gettysburg Address [00:21:37] 272 words [00:21:42] give you the Gettysburg Address tonight [00:21:44] we will hear people speaking with as [00:21:46] much passion a lot of communities that [00:21:48] they loved and care about and I know [00:21:49] that you will let [00:21:51] here and that you [00:21:53] hold appropriate [00:21:57] action so that is really my pleasure [00:22:05] to want to make [00:22:07] to make sure [00:22:08] as it can [00:22:11] [Music] [00:22:19] be okay and then I believe the order of [00:22:21] the speakers really reflects the order [00:22:24] of registration we have next [00:22:27] Barbara Kellogg [00:22:36] Ed that's cool thank you I didn't [00:22:39] realize [00:22:41] um my name is Barbara and everybody here [00:22:44] okay [00:22:45] yeah just [00:22:47] just [00:22:50] a Massachusetts horse owner and [00:22:53] landowner [00:22:55] um I'm also an attorney I don't [00:22:57] represent anyone in this process I [00:23:00] my own interest is transparency and open [00:23:04] government uh uh and I'm here to talk to [00:23:07] you about the huge disparity and power [00:23:11] between these developers and the town [00:23:14] the citizens into hardwood have had five [00:23:17] weeks [00:23:19] to try to absorb and prostitute [00:23:22] information about this application [00:23:23] which is a project that is going to [00:23:25] transfer [00:23:26] transfer their town forever in the [00:23:29] meantime these developers have been [00:23:31] searching for a site for years for any [00:23:34] place where they could Finagle a racing [00:23:37] license so that they can start their [00:23:39] life the employees and lawyers and [00:23:42] lobbyists for decades to shake and [00:23:45] control forces in Massachusetts [00:23:48] they spend hundreds of thousands of [00:23:50] dollars a year on Beacon Hill and keep [00:23:53] in contact with your team [00:23:56] they have had so much communication with [00:23:58] your office that when I put in a records [00:24:01] request in August for communications [00:24:05] between their corporations [00:24:07] and your office I was told that that [00:24:12] request was sent that it [00:24:14] would switch before I would get anything [00:24:16] and then I would get documents every six [00:24:18] weeks [00:24:20] they're asking [00:24:22] um the story should have been that your [00:24:24] local team came to this Hometown and met [00:24:27] with the officials and house phones to [00:24:29] educate them and answer their question [00:24:32] instead after Medicare Partners the [00:24:35] developers realized public protected [00:24:39] piece of piece of land where they want [00:24:41] to build a commercial Race Tech [00:24:43] so they came up with this absurd [00:24:46] explanation pretending they're going to [00:24:48] construct an imaginary movie Set is [00:24:50] going to move in and move out and then [00:24:51] everything will be the same and Serene [00:24:54] as before they [00:24:56] a lot of questions they certainly never [00:24:59] knew and the board of selected never [00:25:01] knew that they could just contact you [00:25:02] directly and be in the same sort of [00:25:05] contact that the developers have been [00:25:07] for years [00:25:09] and I [00:25:11] I just don't think [00:25:12] that it's for two minutes or threats [00:25:16] here [00:25:17] thank you [00:25:19] they're going to keep track of the time [00:25:49] um Miss kellogged I think I I would like [00:25:51] to ensure the public that um it is [00:25:54] important to the Commissioners and our [00:25:55] public records requests are processing [00:25:57] and um and in timely fashion I'm hearing [00:26:02] you saying that you did not get that I [00:26:05] asked my fellow Commissioners here uh [00:26:09] they of course please [00:26:12] um there is there is a possibility that [00:26:15] we receive something by email from an [00:26:18] applicant and we don't remember or have [00:26:20] not opened it but each of us are saying [00:26:23] that we have memory right now of [00:26:26] receiving any any direct email from the [00:26:31] applicant but we will make sure that [00:26:33] that public records request is properly [00:26:37] processed so your your note today is [00:26:41] duly noted of course that came through [00:26:45] a member to our party and I don't [00:26:48] believe we have [00:26:51] I'm not sure if we had knowledge of that [00:26:53] request of having been processed but at [00:26:56] this point none of us can say that we [00:26:59] have received an email from [00:27:01] these the applicant today [00:27:07] it's not just yeah and that's as [00:27:10] transparent as we can be right here but [00:27:12] you deserve to have that request fully [00:27:15] processed [00:27:16] successful [00:27:19] thank you [00:27:25] next please Brian Kelly [00:27:32] Mr Kelly [00:27:35] okay maybe he'll arrive later well [00:27:38] Crystal can you make a chicken out of [00:27:40] that please [00:27:41] um [00:27:43] Mr William Van arstell [00:27:47] thank you though [00:28:03] thank you very much thank you for coming [00:28:05] thank you for hearing your comments and [00:28:07] questions [00:28:13] all right how's this any better [00:28:16] all right he made nice thank you so [00:28:19] thank you so I've lived here 13 years [00:28:22] I've lived adjacent to this property [00:28:25] and uh I am in favor of development I'm [00:28:30] in David with growth I'm a David [00:28:34] about only if you do it carefully and [00:28:37] thoughtful [00:28:38] and we just haven't had the time to do [00:28:41] that it's [00:28:43] only been talking [00:28:46] we've not had the time to study [00:28:51] on those issues [00:28:54] that [00:28:56] that is on that land and I don't [00:28:58] understand how a racetrack is [00:29:00] agriculture [00:29:02] it seems to me that's a dramatic change [00:29:04] of use [00:29:09] so we should look into that really more [00:29:11] time [00:29:13] this is forever because I understand [00:29:15] that once the town grants permission [00:29:19] this location [00:29:21] Instagram [00:29:23] commitment [00:29:25] it's initially [00:29:26] it's pretty clear [00:29:28] today and anybody who operates that has [00:29:30] to try to run six [00:29:38] sixty [00:29:39] traffic is going to be huge a thousand [00:29:42] cars will stretch 3.6 miles [00:29:45] the race line all the way down [00:29:49] 5 000 people is enormous that's a large [00:29:52] cruise ship pulling right up to Great [00:29:54] Meadow Road and unloading every [00:29:56] passenger [00:29:58] 100 Peter Pan school buses [00:30:01] 50 people [00:30:03] requires 145. [00:30:08] thank you very much for your time [00:30:23] yes [00:30:30] foreign [00:30:36] [Music] [00:31:04] comments from our seats during by these [00:31:08] kinds [00:31:08] of common but you've you faced a very [00:31:10] clear point [00:31:17] that's Mr Neil Johnson [00:31:30] hi Neil Dawson [00:31:32] Woodbury [00:31:38] 250 years [00:31:44] made their way with a [00:31:46] unique democratic [00:31:48] and messy and careful [00:31:53] it takes a long time [00:32:01] I personally believe it's the way our [00:32:03] foreign [00:32:24] festivals and money money money money [00:32:27] money money [00:32:29] to shock and off most people that have [00:32:32] never even heard of this until [00:32:35] we had merely broke the sleep from our [00:32:38] eyes [00:32:39] or these guys were [00:32:42] brought by this baby [00:32:44] [Applause] [00:32:46] close this street [00:32:48] funny funny they were at the 50-yard [00:32:50] life or anyone [00:33:01] right now [00:33:04] their timeline doesn't have to be [00:33:08] [Music] [00:33:09] the biggest [00:33:13] hunt just doesn't make any sense [00:33:17] 15 seconds [00:33:20] been the CEO [00:33:23] part large Manufacturing [00:33:26] for 20 years [00:33:44] [Music] [00:33:47] they give us a chance to [00:33:52] small town [00:33:58] if I could just [00:34:02] doing this [00:34:05] uh CBA member [00:34:12] [Music] [00:34:14] thank you very much [00:34:16] I I appreciate everyone wanting to [00:34:19] acknowledge their community members but [00:34:22] we'll keep it there [00:34:25] thank you [00:34:26] but Kara excuse me from if I [00:34:30] mispronounce your name listening [00:34:34] he'll help me out thank you [00:34:38] um [00:34:49] I think the only point that I [00:34:51] hear my name is Carol zinski I am [00:34:53] actually to this property [00:34:56] really she's going to impact miles [00:34:59] not only will their barns be behind my [00:35:01] house but the brace will be right in [00:35:03] front of it for the most part [00:35:05] um [00:35:06] you know I [00:35:09] get the bride [00:35:12] hundred thousand dollars lasting about [00:35:14] 500 million dollars in the first meeting [00:35:17] I could talk about what I [00:35:20] have not been [00:35:22] a great transparency during this entire [00:35:24] process you know I think a lot of that [00:35:26] has already been covered but I think [00:35:28] really what it comes down to is what is [00:35:30] Hardware [00:35:35] and I I wish I could ask all of you and [00:35:37] get an answer I'm sure you're proud [00:35:40] that was on the map [00:35:42] the hard work is how we are defined [00:35:44] where we come from the kinds of people [00:35:46] that we have here [00:35:48] and I think [00:35:50] I'd like to just ask [00:35:52] townspeople I like to ask the select [00:35:54] people [00:35:55] how do we want to be remembered we want [00:35:57] to be remembered for this arcade sport [00:35:59] that we're bringing back [00:36:02] what was left [00:36:04] foreign [00:36:10] people in town I think [00:36:13] um when I was a kid [00:36:15] when I was a kid [00:36:17] but what it comes down to is do we want [00:36:20] to bring this archives work back do we [00:36:22] want to bring people back to this place [00:36:25] and and convey this message to them [00:36:29] um do we want to be the town that [00:36:33] Unearthed this very arcade process back [00:36:36] into back into society [00:36:39] um and personally I don't think that [00:36:41] that's [00:36:52] Mr Roger [00:37:11] around with us all [00:37:13] right [00:37:16] this is the most heavily regulated Act [00:37:20] ing activities [00:37:25] Society that's [00:37:27] all of this is [00:37:28] [Music] [00:37:31] a nice [00:37:39] they're seeing falsely used [00:37:44] virtual meeting place a place where it [00:37:46] is required for a hardwood president [00:37:55] works with their fourth rather place [00:37:57] further College [00:38:00] Eric Dixon stood as a hardwood County [00:38:03] closing as a Harvard president [00:38:05] Eric this is [00:38:07] also a colleague of Robin and John and [00:38:09] other members of the proposed Source [00:38:11] tracker yet no one that night [00:38:14] or had to work with [00:38:19] their service [00:38:21] my friend John also with a smart and [00:38:23] once again [00:38:28] we pull the member of the community his [00:38:30] research of numbers in regards to the [00:38:32] amount of people that will come to the [00:38:33] festivals and great [00:38:35] it was wrong [00:38:36] also we'll continue to [00:38:40] know that billion [00:38:42] is being tossed around [00:38:46] wow aligned with the wrong numbers [00:38:51] my husband tell us only a few days [00:38:54] [Music] [00:38:56] never required [00:38:59] however your rules your regulations [00:39:02] foreign [00:39:17] so once again [00:39:20] my name is Roger I live on Apple Church [00:39:22] Street [00:39:23] two boys [00:39:26] don't ever have the money [00:39:30] Johnny [00:39:32] what I do have it's three and a half [00:39:33] acres of fires and stones [00:39:40] Rich came here telling us his dreams his [00:39:42] bubble to Country the foreign [00:39:49] what about myself [00:39:50] what about the other registry [00:39:52] Church prepared all the time [00:39:56] but now my questions [00:39:58] you guys lied us as [00:39:59] [Music] [00:40:02] are these the people you want to [00:40:03] represent the gaming commission the [00:40:05] state [00:40:07] like I said before our account is small [00:40:09] but our minds are not so we don't [00:40:10] appreciate you coming here [00:40:12] being rude to us [00:40:17] to represent [00:40:18] information [00:40:19] how you present [00:40:21] Ed software [00:40:25] is [00:40:39] today we are hearing comments from you [00:40:41] I've noted your question [00:40:49] your question is noted [00:40:52] thank you [00:40:54] obviously [00:40:58] there is another setting where we will [00:41:00] be engaged but today [00:41:03] thank you [00:41:18] Mr Raymond I just want to get the dates [00:41:21] so that you can monitor all of our [00:41:23] communities [00:41:26] um [00:41:27] will be streamed [00:41:30] the adjudicatory process will be you'll [00:41:33] be hearing then you'll be hearing us [00:41:36] our questions [00:41:50] get your boys ready our our public [00:41:54] hearing the introduce right here will be [00:41:57] on a colony at 1 30. so um hopefully it [00:42:02] will finish in advance of trick or [00:42:03] treating [00:42:05] thank you that's when we'll be speaking [00:42:08] and we'll have uh we'll be prepared to [00:42:12] be able to process [00:42:14] today's Festival [00:42:16] thank you [00:42:21] Mr Marcus Hayden [00:42:25] not here to okay thank you very much [00:42:28] um Mr [00:42:30] Michael lorian [00:42:44] good afternoon everybody [00:42:46] um I just want to start off by saying [00:42:47] the resident of our record I have been [00:42:50] here a whopping 11 months which I [00:42:55] however I still [00:42:58] did not think [00:43:07] [Music] [00:43:08] first off I know you're not able to [00:43:10] answer these today [00:43:13] so if you're able to provide [00:43:16] the first of which is the applicant has [00:43:18] indicated that [00:43:20] [Music] [00:43:24] what [00:43:25] what is that team [00:43:27] um [00:43:30] the way to phrase that but [00:43:32] to me I don't see the teeth in the [00:43:35] legislation that exists today I don't [00:43:37] see any municipal [00:43:39] throttle the number of races [00:43:41] is really important to follow us [00:43:43] if I personally see that as something [00:43:45] that is [00:43:46] the area [00:43:49] understanding of what that is [00:43:53] what happens if we fail to meet [00:43:58] foreign [00:44:21] [Applause] [00:44:38] top and that's not something that's [00:44:40] missing detects that's not something the [00:44:43] applicant [00:44:45] and I'm sure you know who are [00:44:47] Massachusetts [00:44:48] the state's not exactly [00:44:53] exactly thank you [00:45:24] [Music] [00:45:38] Mr [00:45:39] Ernie Corrigan [00:45:44] foreign [00:46:00] [Music] [00:46:11] Target [00:46:15] Ed hppa will [00:46:17] form a letter [00:46:22] first [00:46:29] [Music] [00:46:43] your pledge to contribute directly to [00:46:47] banana [00:46:57] outside the community [00:46:58] by my position [00:47:07] the characterization is [00:47:09] allowing to restore [00:47:16] before operations [00:47:21] [Music] [00:47:28] program [00:47:32] it's no different from the student Chase [00:47:33] activities foreign [00:47:49] examined afterwards determined [00:47:52] the current [00:48:13] Mr William Cole [00:48:24] thanks [00:48:26] a quick thing to you it's good that you [00:48:28] did it this way I think and I guess it's [00:48:30] on Zoom a lot of people don't know that [00:48:34] uh any of us here [00:48:36] a couple times [00:48:40] join us right now [00:48:43] yes it's also being live streamed on our [00:48:45] YouTube video on our YouTube channel [00:48:49] okay so uh [00:48:53] first about the timeline [00:49:01] apparently it's not betting even before [00:49:03] uh before racing would begin [00:49:09] submitted [00:49:12] as you meant 30th [00:49:14] so is it rush I think so a huge impacts [00:49:17] to the town very complicated matter we [00:49:20] need a lot of information [00:49:22] from outside experts [00:49:24] we have not got [00:49:28] so who's the timeline are we on you [00:49:30] mentioned earlier [00:49:33] Side by step [00:49:40] one question about [00:49:43] allowed which I guess it could not be if [00:49:48] any approval [00:49:49] it's not allowed we'll [00:49:52] um will it be [00:49:58] able to look development HCA perhaps [00:50:00] everything else timeline we really are [00:50:04] I'd also like to know if [00:50:07] if or to select one should decide to [00:50:09] grab a 13-day approval and then [00:50:12] concerned citizens do we need more time [00:50:15] with the petition out there that [00:50:19] um and require them to reconsider their [00:50:22] vote and should they then decide [00:50:25] to go the same way again [00:50:27] does that not put over the whole [00:50:32] the approval of the license application [00:50:35] not possible in that goal and then it [00:50:38] would that collateral [00:50:42] not allowed [00:50:44] that's when my main questions [00:50:49] application [00:50:51] I didn't the fact that it got rushed in [00:50:54] something that was supposed to polymer [00:50:56] Thoroughbred track [00:50:58] hardwood figures different plan [00:51:05] es being about the system [00:51:09] thank you [00:51:19] all right position [00:51:23] okay thank you I'm sure you can all [00:51:27] appreciate that knowing the time it was [00:51:30] extremely difficult for anyone of us [00:51:33] one or two issues [00:51:35] among the many that are a great concern [00:51:38] to us so I've selected one issue but I'd [00:51:41] like to [00:51:42] the reason we're all wanting to [00:51:46] know what concerns that are being raised [00:51:47] in front of you my name is Margaret [00:51:50] height and I've lived at 198 charity [00:51:53] health [00:51:56] the great medical form [00:51:59] is regulated under the Mass wildlife [00:52:03] natural heritage [00:52:08] both priorities have [00:52:10] a career species an estimated habitat [00:52:13] for rear wildlife [00:52:20] the names [00:52:21] so the [00:52:23] National Heritage program [00:52:29] the Massachusetts [00:52:32] and Wildlife and their lord and they're [00:52:34] responsible for conservation and [00:52:36] protection of hundreds [00:52:40] Financial [00:52:43] commute on this property there is [00:52:46] concern regarding the wetlands that have [00:52:48] been down by these were [00:52:51] if there's work such as construction [00:52:54] staging at access storage stock planning [00:52:58] planting soil disturbance placement of [00:53:01] the cell that were to occur [00:53:04] then and now [00:53:06] a major [00:53:08] will be required [00:53:12] the rendering we've gotten from the [00:53:15] Developers [00:53:17] that there would be [00:53:18] these potentials needed [00:53:20] and then that's what I had [00:53:22] area and my keyboard for housing that [00:53:25] would be [00:53:26] something [00:53:30] National [00:53:32] stats of this program [00:53:35] um the status of this property being in [00:53:38] this program [00:53:39] wasn't listed in the application that [00:53:42] you received on September 30th [00:53:45] um in your application [00:53:49] federal state [00:53:52] and so I would ask that you would sure [00:53:55] that this specific complex issue which [00:53:59] needs to be fully developed and any [00:54:01] related issues environmentally and so on [00:54:04] would really be fully impressed before [00:54:06] random license [00:54:15] could you just um [00:54:21] really endangered species programs and [00:54:24] sounds of cells of federal program you [00:54:26] can you can stay at home but for us [00:54:28] please yes I am and I am not an expert [00:54:32] in all of this but my understanding [00:54:34] that's why [00:54:37] that's why National excuse me natural I [00:54:40] minus the National Life okay I think [00:54:42] natural heritage and endangered species [00:54:46] program [00:54:51] is my understanding yes [00:55:04] that's okay thank you thank you so much [00:55:22] this is [00:55:44] I just checked in with my fellow [00:55:45] Commissioners to see if they had any [00:55:47] follow-up questions or comments [00:55:50] um commissioner O'Brien has a question [00:55:53] for Mr Cole [00:55:55] a correct mystical commissioner [00:56:00] Mr Cole you just met you've made [00:56:02] reference to a petition and you guessed [00:56:04] her like well now [00:56:06] process [00:56:11] and if you wouldn't mind coming back to [00:56:12] the microphone thank you so much [00:56:15] we don't want to stop with every comment [00:56:17] but I won't intermittently check in with [00:56:19] my thumb [00:56:25] right thank you what I'm referring to is [00:56:36] meetings [00:56:43] describes [00:56:51] [Music] [00:56:55] the local select than any other time [00:56:57] competition [00:57:02] approval taking effect [00:57:05] shall be suspended from taking effect [00:57:09] s [00:57:11] as the case may be shall immediately [00:57:20] [Music] [00:57:38] insurance [00:57:39] because I read [00:57:41] wildlife [00:57:54] before [00:58:05] thank you very helpful [00:58:12] foreign [00:58:21] [Music] [00:58:34] traffic is one of the bigger elephants [00:58:37] in the room with this proposal [00:58:39] two minutes family scratches the surface [00:58:43] Commonwealth racing estimates three to [00:58:45] five thousand attendees on Race Stakes [00:58:48] during the first three years [00:58:50] this alone would happen [00:58:55] there are compelling reasons [00:59:00] Saratoga racing has a total of over one [00:59:06] the first four days [00:59:08] heart rate won't draw that number but [00:59:10] consider that Saratoga and Hardwick [00:59:13] might be the only two thoroughbred [00:59:15] racing options in [00:59:20] thoroughbred racing fans will come to [00:59:22] wherever it is offered [00:59:25] saratoga's only close metropolitan area [00:59:28] is in Albany [00:59:30] Boston's metropolitan population is a [00:59:33] wartime spreader Harvard would also draw [00:59:36] from Worcester Springfield polio [00:59:39] Hartford Manchester Congress [00:59:43] and town [00:59:46] I believe [00:59:48] real potential [00:59:50] potential growth to well and see 5000 [00:59:53] attending [00:59:54] attendee Hardwick remains a quiet little [00:59:56] town for no school degree because it's [00:59:58] hard to get to [01:00:00] you or the Mass Pike [01:00:03] you're on almost 20 miles of winding in [01:00:06] Philly 2 Lane roads [01:00:08] that go through small towns traffic from [01:00:11] Worcester City [01:00:15] and Peterson Ware and the Braintree and [01:00:18] many more these [01:00:23] Saratoga is three quarters of a mile off [01:00:26] the New York State Thruway with a main [01:00:28] road that doesn't flow through the town [01:00:31] traffic traveling to these two [01:00:33] Thoroughbred racetracks could not be [01:00:35] more [01:00:38] day [01:00:39] and the public safety would be much [01:00:41] greater than risk in this town [01:00:45] it is unimaginable that [01:00:48] permanently approved for horse racing [01:00:52] studied by an independent [01:00:56] and traffic issues alone in the and the [01:00:59] potential for growth of this event [01:01:01] I believe Commonwealth horse racing [01:01:04] chosen the wrong property [01:01:22] Mr Robert Page [01:01:28] thank you [01:01:31] I think [01:01:34] I'm Robert Page [01:01:40] I've read about other tracks [01:01:45] tracks two examples 10 million [01:01:51] four years ago 4.5 million [01:01:54] I think it's pretty straight Rochester [01:01:59] designers of those tracks talk about a [01:02:02] football of sunscreen [01:02:04] soil [01:02:07] special grass [01:02:09] the Commonwealth racing the development [01:02:12] here in Hardwick have budgeted in their [01:02:15] application [01:02:16] you [01:02:17] 2.244 million dollars [01:02:24] before [01:02:29] their attorney [01:02:31] told us here [01:02:33] forth that they will merely oversee [01:02:37] and [01:02:38] run their race days after the second [01:02:40] cutting of hay [01:02:47] totally inconsistent [01:02:50] true [01:02:53] just for the horses to [01:02:57] just one more example of law [01:03:01] know of this life [01:03:04] Rush [01:03:08] I also had my bicycle [01:03:11] a beautiful upper Church Street where [01:03:13] the developers plan to build their [01:03:19] builders [01:03:22] he's standing as the thoroughbreds need [01:03:25] a field look like hundreds of jungles [01:03:28] junk walls [01:03:32] in our selected [01:03:38] Developers [01:04:01] Mr Steve bear [01:04:23] okay [01:04:26] there's a bunch of questions [01:04:42] patrons and experiences [01:04:46] foreign [01:05:22] proposed [01:05:27] 300 attendees probably [01:05:36] Contracting plants are adequate [01:05:39] traffic city is non-existent [01:05:43] disability [01:05:50] controller difference [01:06:00] last 150 days [01:06:03] um [01:06:07] not quite right [01:06:17] um [01:06:25] so we have a bias in there towards the [01:06:28] full service [01:06:59] yeah [01:07:00] not cause traffic jams one take away [01:07:02] from control from the town the town was [01:07:04] very [01:07:07] it's a good place is a nice [01:07:11] restaurant whatever [01:07:13] and [01:07:14] everyone [01:07:22] says [01:07:30] foreign [01:08:29] Kelly call earlier but I don't think he [01:08:33] was here [01:08:43] foreign [01:08:46] [Music] [01:09:07] and I don't want to race track [01:09:13] my grandkids just down the road playing [01:09:16] on [01:09:19] the people I don't know drive by [01:09:23] also wondering what kind of that amount [01:09:26] of check to do [01:09:27] about which people you're going high [01:09:29] high on Burn into town [01:09:33] and I also know that two years ago [01:09:38] here [01:09:40] why not butterflies started massive [01:09:43] massive at the end of the road [01:09:46] to get ready to collide [01:09:51] this year I didn't see it [01:09:54] I'm wondering what [01:09:57] that risk that we'll have on [01:10:00] the mornings [01:10:02] they need a special [01:10:04] particular diet the milkweeds and right [01:10:07] now they have [01:10:10] instructions that's all [01:10:23] right [01:10:28] my apologies [01:10:35] I have trouble with the two [01:10:39] mine too [01:10:41] so [01:10:43] um [01:10:45] my name is Dan robertshevsky [01:10:49] and [01:10:51] tonight as [01:10:54] Board of Health [01:11:03] so getting to the point the Board of [01:11:05] Health [01:11:07] has recognized concerns in the horse [01:11:09] racing gambling Enterprise proposal that [01:11:13] warrant attention and better [01:11:15] understanding [01:11:17] three of those concerns [01:11:21] timeline is accelerated [01:11:23] expedited approach taken by promoters of [01:11:26] the Enterprise [01:11:29] it isn't proper [01:11:32] announced for the state [01:11:36] accelerate [01:11:38] it must be slowed down over time [01:11:43] point two lack of information sharing [01:11:45] your processing because the commission [01:11:47] like the Enterprise promoters does not [01:11:50] practically shared information the Board [01:11:52] of Health remains uninformed [01:11:55] success [01:12:00] of three the review process must be [01:12:02] started [01:12:03] board cannot consider assigning the [01:12:06] location [01:12:07] now [01:12:08] very soon as [01:12:10] it fill a total of responsibility for [01:12:15] section 143 in section 122 of [01:12:20] in fact it is not [01:12:22] or to render a position until sometime [01:12:27] public caring automatic [01:12:30] following this will [01:12:32] start [01:12:33] honestly science [01:12:34] public hearing [01:12:36] there is more to discuss as [01:12:38] today [01:12:40] mostly for us for this Enterprise we [01:12:43] cannot be seriously considered [01:12:46] the city or not support [01:12:49] ING with the award of a license should [01:12:55] the approval of a location should be [01:12:58] stand the assignment of a location by [01:13:01] the Board of Health has not been [01:13:03] established in cannot be established for [01:13:05] some time [01:13:06] may be prohibited either way the board's [01:13:10] requirement speaking for the board we [01:13:12] ask that you fully appreciate towards [01:13:14] the jurisdiction on [01:13:17] this I would add there's no mention of [01:13:19] Public Health [01:13:24] did not mean [01:13:25] in any of the material [01:14:01] Mr John Patrick Korea [01:14:24] the very essence of our community is [01:14:26] continues to be [01:14:32] built for over three [01:14:35] three [01:14:36] diversity came on residents because [01:14:41] Farmers textile workers and [01:14:43] entrepreneurs among others what makes [01:14:46] this project untenable is also what [01:14:49] makes this area special [01:14:52] graphic [01:14:54] I'm part [01:14:56] tremendous [01:15:01] Town drown Forever by the creation of [01:15:03] the president [01:15:06] this proposal does not comply with the [01:15:08] principles outline of Massachusetts [01:15:14] to provide the greatest possible [01:15:16] economic [01:15:18] revenues [01:15:19] people of the Commonwealth and reduced [01:15:22] to the maximum extent possible to [01:15:24] potential negative or unintended [01:15:27] consequences [01:15:30] project is the last Stitch ever grab [01:15:41] a more suitable location for this [01:15:43] project starts with land that is [01:15:45] unencumberable not protected by [01:15:48] agricultural protections an area with [01:15:51] excellent Highway connected [01:15:53] not only with limited access [01:15:56] a sight in your major population areas [01:15:59] not one [01:16:01] hot isolated such as ours our site with [01:16:05] infrastructure to support the project [01:16:07] including water sewered roads fire [01:16:09] police Emergency Services not one [01:16:13] lacking these things [01:16:15] no amount of money will overcome [01:16:18] occur if this project [01:16:20] we stand to lose the most crucial [01:16:23] distinctive characteristics of hard [01:16:26] small villages our wide open and natural [01:16:28] landscapes [01:16:30] little Matrix [01:16:31] make sure it's possible [01:16:34] once that is gone it's gone forever like [01:16:38] the Lost towns of Dana Greenwich Enfield [01:16:43] project this proposal find a spot that [01:16:46] fits your mistake [01:16:47] applying to the core values [01:16:51] commit has been enumerated [01:17:17] um [01:17:22] okay [01:17:30] Miss Allen H Anderson [01:17:45] foreign [01:17:56] ERS my name is Alan Anderson I am [01:18:00] resident of Peter Sam and I'm speaking [01:18:02] for myself though I am an elected Tower [01:18:05] fishing in my town [01:18:06] I hope you enjoyed listening to the [01:18:09] citizens of hard work as much as I have [01:18:12] this has been a wonderful evening so far [01:18:14] and I second pretty much everything that [01:18:17] they have said [01:18:18] I'd like to say beginning [01:18:21] comments is that this is primarily the [01:18:24] gaming facility [01:18:26] and I'd like to take you to take usual [01:18:27] with Mr Stephanie says that this is [01:18:30] primarily Merrell cultural [01:18:32] this is clearly correct [01:18:34] it does not conform to local zoning it's [01:18:37] going to require special permit moreover [01:18:40] uh it is [01:18:44] property and the agricultural interests [01:18:47] in the agricultural preservation [01:18:49] restriction [01:18:50] are subject to [01:18:52] constitutional protections under article [01:18:55] 97 of the state constitution [01:19:00] I'd also like to say that I understand [01:19:05] you have to have does this racetrack [01:19:08] have to be on private property on public [01:19:11] property [01:19:12] could it be on public property [01:19:15] my understanding is it should be on [01:19:17] private property this property has not [01:19:19] meet some bad survey the road it's not [01:19:22] fair exactly where the road is my my [01:19:25] belief is that this [01:19:27] is in fact [01:19:28] going to be located on public property [01:19:31] but [01:19:32] absolutely no way no [01:19:34] No in fact the purchase and sale [01:19:35] agreement is conditional upon [01:19:38] it is probably 150 years old [01:19:42] and where that road is what's private [01:19:46] private is a location I don't see how [01:19:47] you can prove a location what you don't [01:19:50] really know [01:19:58] um [01:20:05] commissioner help [01:20:08] oh I'm the chairman of the board of [01:20:10] assessors [01:20:13] the board of assessors [01:20:17] thank you [01:20:51] miss Ann Barnes [01:21:03] and Barnes and I'm from 44 Rose Hill [01:21:08] Road Department I was born here in [01:21:11] Columbia left for 45 years [01:21:17] I'd like the fact [01:21:20] has [01:21:22] and I regularly regularly celebrate [01:21:26] right center of [01:21:28] the village of Hardware that hasn't [01:21:30] changed it's on the National History [01:21:34] of register [01:21:37] just to come and date [01:21:39] and so on [01:21:49] it was amazing and [01:21:52] um that's [01:21:56] the kind of [01:21:58] fire and I hope that I also loved a lot [01:22:01] of time for meetings I know the [01:22:05] selectment are burdened with the sewer [01:22:07] and the other tests are managing [01:22:11] and I don't think taking on [01:22:17] is [01:22:18] a good thing [01:22:21] Miss marks I have a follow-up question [01:22:54] thank you for the clarification [01:22:59] foreign [01:23:17] thank you [01:23:25] what was it this time [01:23:28] Road I two was born in this town grew up [01:23:31] in this town left for a little while [01:23:36] um [01:23:36] I'm just going to ask you people but I [01:23:38] know you're not answering questions but [01:23:39] I'm assuming the six of you came in your [01:23:41] own cars and you drove here separately [01:23:43] and I'm asking you once you get the [01:23:45] timeline [01:23:48] the Cumberland Farms you can get four [01:23:50] cars in there there's no diesel [01:23:53] how many how many restaurants did you [01:23:55] see the Harvard House of Pizza Mimi's [01:23:58] and and Rose 32 is open once in a very [01:24:00] well how many places to stay not a [01:24:03] single hotel motel or anything and you [01:24:07] have to go 10 lines for that where are [01:24:09] we going to accommodate 1000 [01:24:12] how are those classes [01:24:19] 2016 people [01:24:21] 's the last survey [01:24:23] um this [01:24:25] is just talking about [01:24:26] the more people [01:24:29] and a quick comment the gentleman over [01:24:32] there stated that [01:24:37] um to [01:24:39] cut hay for that uh racetrack once that [01:24:43] race Track's in there there is no hay [01:24:45] he's talking about how [01:24:47] cars on behaviorals you've got no hay [01:24:50] and then he said and anybody here [01:24:52] there's a farmer be included will back [01:24:54] this up when was the last time we got [01:24:56] third or fourth cutting having anything [01:25:00] [Applause] [01:25:24] consistency [01:25:47] Robin Prouty [01:25:53] please [01:26:03] my name is Robin Crowley I'm I'm the one [01:26:07] Marigold in hardwood the 39-year [01:26:09] resident [01:26:10] I'm a professional dog handler and dog [01:26:12] trainer show dogs [01:26:14] and I operate a boarding Channel by [01:26:16] special apartment by our zombies [01:26:20] uh blue dog fun fact my own personal dog [01:26:24] one [01:26:25] one is National Specialty which is kind [01:26:27] of like winning the Kentucky Derby [01:26:30] just for fun fact [01:26:33] my husband's son and I operate in [01:26:35] Cloverfield Hills Farm two miles east of [01:26:38] Meadowbrook great medical fund on the [01:26:41] same road [01:26:42] our family [01:26:46] Farm award from [01:26:48] owning our 300 Acre Farm for over 100 [01:26:51] years [01:26:52] starting in 1888 we announced five [01:26:56] generations strong [01:26:58] we have respected land use and we [01:27:00] promote local agriculture [01:27:03] this proposal is being rushed rushed to [01:27:05] accommodate the investors I cried filed [01:27:08] the horse breed employee is the only way [01:27:12] this proposal could get his foot in the [01:27:14] ATR door [01:27:17] gaming is far from agriculture [01:27:20] this disrespects the API program [01:27:24] I'm sure this condition is thinking long [01:27:26] and hard helping to manage gambling in [01:27:29] the state so if it down just out of [01:27:32] business we've awarded something to the [01:27:34] Wynn Casino one with a Tiny Town like [01:27:37] this of three thousand now [01:27:39] standing [01:27:41] um [01:27:42] less than three thousand [01:27:44] uh why would we want a commercial race [01:27:47] track [01:27:48] Hardwick is indeed a royal time a rural [01:27:51] town when Boston needed clean water we [01:27:55] flooded four towns in the 1930s to [01:27:59] create the carbon Reservoir let's not [01:28:02] make hard work the fifth town that [01:28:04] Boston Saints [01:28:18] as Barbara page [01:28:31] afternoon thank you for taking my [01:28:33] comments [01:28:36] natural in Hardware [01:28:38] for 40 years [01:28:42] the developers are making [01:28:45] issues to us that [01:28:49] promise they won't raise [01:28:51] four days per year the first five years [01:28:54] of racing [01:28:56] we also say they won't reach 20 or more [01:28:58] days [01:29:04] you regards to their annual [01:29:07] and whether to grant them [01:29:09] [Music] [01:29:10] are crazy at least 20 [01:29:13] as required in order to [01:29:16] order to license [01:29:23] regards to the number of racing games [01:29:26] and then they will never [01:29:31] see how they [01:29:33] when the legislature [01:29:35] lady sets those numbers and you enforce [01:29:37] them [01:29:39] yourself now because the process has [01:29:43] rushed [01:29:46] the same least it's not honest [01:29:48] or Fair thanks for your conservation [01:30:25] foreign [01:30:54] hi Judy for a second [01:30:57] um I actually live on Barry Road and we [01:30:59] have about one mile of this proposed [01:31:02] Raceway [01:31:03] so we do have a lot of State [01:31:05] I do want to say that we are right we [01:31:07] believe [01:31:11] however number one you've heard many [01:31:13] many people talk about AP [01:31:21] L commercial race [01:31:23] that was not the intent we had the right [01:31:26] to farm and do [01:31:28] so I would definitely [01:31:30] look and talk to the [01:31:32] PM representatives to figure out a [01:31:34] commercial racing is actually part of [01:31:36] that [01:31:37] number two I think [01:31:40] the further frustration and the crowd [01:31:42] I'm not going to repeat all the [01:31:43] thousands of [01:31:45] so we did have them written down but I [01:31:47] really didn't need my notes because each [01:31:50] one of you are fully noted [01:31:53] notes that actually tell [01:31:56] you the brass track is going exactly the [01:31:58] way it was [01:32:01] we're investing 2.2 million dollars to [01:32:03] make it a trap [01:32:05] oh we'll guarantee you [01:32:07] in the next five [01:32:10] years the state determines that [01:32:12] it's right in the piece of paper you [01:32:14] have exhibit one of what they've been [01:32:16] telling us [01:32:17] and that's the problem with that is it [01:32:19] contradicts the laws [01:32:24] what's on the application [01:32:29] obviously people are going to be nervous [01:32:32] this left men are sitting there going we [01:32:35] need money for this town [01:32:36] the problem is 500 000 is not going to [01:32:39] cover the damage it's going to do to [01:32:40] town [01:32:41] you run over those streets to too many [01:32:43] times [01:32:44] roadways are they going to actually [01:32:46] replace the immunity of Destruction no [01:32:48] they said everything has to come out of [01:32:50] 500 000. that's not enough you 've seen [01:32:53] the town New Jersey [01:32:54] matter of fact the Bishop from Worcester [01:32:57] got lost for a half hour [01:32:59] 150th anniversary of the church last [01:33:02] weekend because [01:33:04] so you can kind of see what it's like [01:33:07] out here it's a small town [01:33:09] again we are [01:33:11] the legal rights of property but we also [01:33:13] believe that [01:33:14] excelling the rules doing the right [01:33:16] thing [01:33:18] and thank you selectman very difficult I [01:33:20] wouldn't want to be in your shoes [01:33:40] all right [01:33:42] Devin Rob [01:33:56] Les [01:33:57] for a long time [01:34:05] so I've heard a lot of people [01:34:08] um talk about change unchanged [01:34:10] [Music] [01:34:13] doesn't take much to realize that the [01:34:15] town has remained unchanged for a long [01:34:18] time which is why it's so beautiful [01:34:19] however [01:34:23] it's a sinking [01:34:24] Ship Without lost until [01:34:26] everybody else we're thinking [01:34:30] um [01:34:31] is why you hear a lot about the money [01:34:32] and this and that [01:34:34] the minimum of 500 [01:34:38] 0 so 10 to 12 percent of our budget [01:34:41] right [01:34:45] um on top of that [01:34:46] you could the time could be more than [01:34:49] that which would be wonderful and if we [01:34:53] do come up with a very strict agreement [01:34:56] with the investors and the people [01:34:58] signing the business and [01:35:01] then to Common Ground with everybody [01:35:04] and that would be wonderful [01:35:05] wonderful uh as as some people have said [01:35:08] that their country [01:35:09] [Music] [01:35:11] I don't think you're doing the same fly [01:35:13] right now as you were 100 years ago I [01:35:16] think your business plan has changed [01:35:22] our business plan has not changed in a [01:35:25] very long time [01:35:26] and I think change is needed [01:35:29] and remaining the same is important as [01:35:33] well [01:35:34] and I think the investors have really [01:35:36] heard that from us [01:35:38] we are a town of over 3 000 people [01:35:42] and [01:35:44] that there are many people that are not [01:35:46] here tonight there are many people that [01:35:48] have to worry that will not speak for it [01:35:51] people that are not here most of them do [01:35:55] not [01:35:55] really care where they're closer or not [01:35:58] so the numbers here do not necessarily [01:36:01] protect numbers [01:36:30] I mean different uh guys that I grew up [01:36:35] with and whatnot [01:36:36] uh it is a beautiful little town but as [01:36:39] my wife Devin said the singing [01:36:42] struggles [01:36:48] and [01:36:52] it's very going through yeses and things [01:36:53] to work out yes [01:36:58] how much they love these [01:37:01] during the time [01:37:10] that the right person is [01:37:12] willing to maintain these [01:37:32] eight [01:37:35] Marcus Hayden [01:37:40] okay thank you I'm just confirming [01:37:44] thank you I wanted to make sure and then [01:37:47] going back to Bryan County [01:37:50] and then back to June [01:37:57] 's now we're going to turn to [01:37:59] Eric Dixon [01:38:07] foreign [01:38:21] whatsoever [01:38:27] what happens to horses at [01:38:30] do you have a 35 Acre Farm Princeton [01:38:33] we're gonna [01:38:35] Race Course with your grace [01:38:38] I think if they're ready to go [01:38:40] the racehorsement [01:38:43] there was something left out [01:38:49] there's money to support the horsemen to [01:38:51] find the support for racing versus the [01:38:53] previous programs but nothing for the [01:38:55] horses [01:39:00] proposal and I support this proposal [01:39:06] [Music] [01:39:07] locks in [01:39:09] performance [01:39:12] either through support of existing horse [01:39:16] rescues in the State Board and support [01:39:18] of a food rescue [01:39:21] them on site this is what [01:39:25] that's why I support this proposal [01:39:27] whether or not this is right for the [01:39:29] time [01:39:33] but I do think it would [01:39:35] have headphones here [01:39:36] is [01:39:46] Mr Andrew Ward [01:39:57] all right folks are you gonna be okay [01:39:59] my name is [01:40:04] proposed track uh [01:40:09] [Music] [01:40:25] racing [01:40:29] I love this town [01:40:42] if [01:40:43] if we're talking about [01:40:54] or like how [01:40:56] like how the walls work [01:40:58] s like a lot of people would have much [01:40:59] of a problem with that [01:41:09] and then that people would pretend Ed UI [01:41:13] right along with losing a lot of friends [01:41:18] but look [01:41:21] I I think that [01:41:24] think that if I can [01:41:32] just [01:41:36] [Music] [01:41:42] it was okay [01:41:45] and that those fields will change [01:41:50] right [01:41:52] have somebody coming in here that's okay [01:41:56] we don't approve anymore we don't get an [01:41:58] opportunity [01:42:00] but maybe we give it an opportunity to [01:42:02] try [01:42:26] what you think [01:42:38] maybe commission and select board uh and [01:42:41] Richard I can tell the mass a business [01:42:44] representative [01:42:48] there's a lot of members out in this [01:42:50] area [01:42:51] and Mr fields and his team has a very [01:42:53] good history who's a good responsible [01:42:55] contractors [01:42:57] that played by the rules play a good [01:43:00] living wage and benefits [01:43:03] create many opportunities for local [01:43:06] people work on this car [01:43:07] not just campus all Building Trades well [01:43:10] before or it is painted as everybody so [01:43:13] this is a great project [01:43:14] Community great opportunity for local [01:43:16] residents to work on this project [01:43:18] money that's all to say [01:43:27] John tomasi [01:43:36] let me go [01:43:38] thank you [01:43:47] so I already presented this to [01:43:53] me [01:43:57] I am actually going to direct this with [01:43:59] others [01:44:02] go to Mr fields and his associates [01:44:08] directed to us [01:44:16] that's okay that's all right and then [01:44:18] back I don't believe [01:44:21] we have heard your comments YouTube you [01:44:23] send them by email [01:44:25] commissioners [01:44:33] well thank you for that correction thank [01:44:34] you thank you so I am Linda Tomas [01:44:38] a red and Thoroughbred by the way in [01:44:40] hardwood Massachusetts [01:44:42] uh this is in reference to come in the [01:44:45] historical piece of common which is not [01:44:47] far from the [01:44:49] racetrack [01:44:50] just minutes from the race [01:44:55] markets [01:44:56] it's a vibrant Historical Society a [01:44:59] little league broadcasting small town [01:45:01] post office and acquainted quaint [01:45:05] sandwich shop [01:45:06] also the bells of two churches ringing [01:45:09] on Sunday mornings and the cemetery [01:45:12] whose gravestones tell the long story [01:45:14] and history of hardware [01:45:16] Moss coverstone carefully cleaned by the [01:45:19] popular and historic ghost [01:45:23] short distance from the proposed racing [01:45:26] site our beautiful streets lined with [01:45:28] age-old trees children playing outside [01:45:31] porches built on summer nights with the [01:45:34] sound of silence and a calm that is [01:45:37] really heard in most of our country [01:45:40] as newcomers join us in our community we [01:45:43] are reminded that they are here because [01:45:45] of the little that we have to offer they [01:45:48] are here for the Norman Rockwell [01:45:50] experience they are here because they [01:45:52] know that everyone is equal and that [01:45:54] children will grow up in a stable and [01:45:56] appreciate [01:45:57] environment and want to grow the [01:46:00] children of the room will likely come [01:46:02] back to Hardwick to instill in their [01:46:04] children that there is no place like [01:46:06] home [01:46:07] I am not suggesting that all residents [01:46:09] oppose [01:46:11] opposed but I will argue the fact that [01:46:14] the actual facts have not been presented [01:46:16] to them unless they have had hours of [01:46:19] patience and [01:46:21] to research the [01:46:22] SE themselves they are not aware of the [01:46:25] four thousand expected people coming [01:46:27] into our village on Race days that there [01:46:30] will be a four thousand seat stadium [01:46:32] with loudspeakers invading the pristine [01:46:37] that do not know of the rise of crime [01:46:40] rates that comes with the territory the [01:46:43] shuttle bus is going back and forth back [01:46:45] and forth not to mention the closest [01:46:48] Harbor to those beautiful [01:46:50] which will be wiped out in a matter of [01:46:53] months something would took Mother [01:46:55] Nature hundreds of years to perfect [01:46:58] they hear about new restaurants [01:47:00] sometimes [01:47:02] I'm planning your horses vegetable [01:47:04] gardens these are all great and would be [01:47:07] welcome if the negative effects did not [01:47:09] heavily outweigh the positive [01:47:12] our town has probably been the topic on [01:47:15] Chronicle and Yankee is one of the most [01:47:17] beautiful and choppy towns in New [01:47:19] England the racetrack off is the one in [01:47:21] town as Massachusetts tourist [01:47:23] destination area it already is that only [01:47:28] of a different nature we open our arms [01:47:31] and welcome visitors to respect our land [01:47:34] and neighbors who can go back home and [01:47:36] say to their friends we found the most [01:47:38] beautiful little town [01:47:41] come come into our town and just stop [01:47:44] listen to The Quiet look at the white [01:47:48] houses with Wally leaves filling their [01:47:50] dogs and ask [01:47:52] if I were living here how would I feel [01:47:56] about this [01:47:57] would and could I give it up [01:48:07] now Mr Thompson [01:48:27] um [01:48:29] uh [01:48:31] the verses on the way this whole [01:48:33] scheduling is going [01:48:35] to say [01:48:36] is really in rushed rushed I think it's [01:48:38] a classic example of [01:48:40] the tail light in the dough [01:48:43] it's just it's backwards so we haven't [01:48:45] had the opportunity [01:48:47] to absorb any of this [01:48:49] you know comment upon [01:48:52] that's my first comment my second one is [01:48:55] picked out a lot of research on [01:48:58] the fields exploded [01:49:01] [Music] [01:49:03] and was so awestruck he said he [01:49:07] was Heaven on Earth [01:49:08] my question is if heaven on Earth [01:49:43] hi there uh thanks for coming here [01:49:46] tonight Lisa profit 547 uh roblesville [01:49:49] Road I haven't made up my mind on this [01:49:52] and a little bit late [01:49:53] [Music] [01:49:56] however I would like to ask you to [01:49:59] extend your time frame or to allow them [01:50:02] to reapply after the town [01:50:06] has been able to complete their due [01:50:08] diligence on this project [01:50:09] I think the racing component is being [01:50:12] downplayed [01:50:13] will definitely increase as new horses [01:50:15] are being bred at this facility [01:50:18] can the community host agreement dictate [01:50:20] the number of race dates and [01:50:24] systopian [01:50:26] according to your website you've been [01:50:28] asking game website the three current [01:50:30] casinos have grossed 94 million dollars [01:50:33] in September of 2022 alone [01:50:37] the Commonwealth has collected [01:50:39] 1.208 billion dollars in taxes from [01:50:42] these facilities since opening just a [01:50:45] few years ago the mass gaming [01:50:47] Association taxes these Casino [01:50:49] 49 percent [01:50:52] I don't know the full Financial [01:50:54] estimates that are being proposed to [01:50:56] Harvard [01:50:58] the money that flows to both mass gaming [01:51:00] and the state I think that five hundred [01:51:02] thousand dollars is not an acceptable [01:51:05] reimbursement to the taxpayers of [01:51:07] hardware [01:51:08] I'm sure everyone in this room and [01:51:10] Beyond would be in favor of this project [01:51:12] without [01:51:15] however there is no financial interest [01:51:18] in that [01:51:21] night or at least delay this request [01:51:24] until the town [01:51:39] Mr Daniel Katie [01:51:49] good evening thank you for having me my [01:51:53] name is Daniel Katie my vice president [01:51:59] attachment within Worcester County uh [01:52:02] just wanted to come here today to say [01:52:04] comment Commonwealth racing [01:52:08] for a while now [01:52:13] in these cases who [01:52:15] many different [01:52:17] before it proceeds [01:52:24] and so with that said [01:52:26] our full support [01:52:30] working [01:52:33] and it was like this that enormous and [01:52:35] work with financial actors they actually [01:52:37] carry a pair of Weights goes a long way [01:52:39] for working [01:52:43] as workers within the area [01:52:44] because they're about the community [01:52:46] they're about giving back about giving [01:52:48] them opportunity when I had to travel [01:52:54] and feed my family but yeah [01:52:57] that holds my eyes [01:53:00] when you talk [01:53:03] a beer and it's not [01:53:13] so [01:53:15] long story short we are in full support [01:53:19] having individuals like this be [01:53:51] laughs [01:54:13] Nancy Allen [01:54:21] thank you [01:54:24] fancy power [01:54:30] Michelle [01:54:32] comfortable [01:54:34] okay [01:54:42] good evening and thank you for your time [01:54:44] thank you for coming my name is [01:54:53] right over the bridge down here five [01:54:55] minutes [01:54:56] uh so I'm right by the covered bridge [01:54:59] I've been to the last two meetings [01:55:09] so listening to all the arguments for [01:55:11] and against [01:55:13] um Mr fields and his team have been more [01:55:16] than transparent every question that has [01:55:18] been asked from [01:55:20] then [01:55:22] to [01:55:23] raise these to set up the breakdown to [01:55:27] trash has all been covered over and over [01:55:30] and over now the sad thing that I did [01:55:33] not know before moving to this beautiful [01:55:36] town [01:55:37] because we don't have an ambulance our [01:55:39] lead station is [01:55:40] they don't have an appropriate place to [01:55:42] work in our understanding [01:55:44] staff you make a phone call you're lucky [01:55:46] if you're going to get an ambulance [01:55:47] before you die [01:55:50] the money that this generates can fix [01:55:53] our roads [01:55:54] improve our schools improve our police [01:55:56] station give them more help that they [01:55:59] deserves [01:56:02] to answer a call [01:56:07] um not only that [01:56:08] and the ambulance would be fantastic [01:56:10] like I said [01:56:11] jobs both temporary and permanent this [01:56:14] will create would be phenomenal I have [01:56:17] to drive over an hour [01:56:19] to go to work to feed my family and pay [01:56:22] my taxes and my mortgage [01:56:25] um so to have something local would be [01:56:28] great I drove past this property [01:56:32] um meetings and it's a beautiful [01:56:34] property it's a brass trap it's two race [01:56:37] days [01:56:38] everything's set up taking care of paid [01:56:40] for the additional funds needed for [01:56:42] rescue ambulance all that paid for by [01:56:45] the commission I'm 100 for this [01:56:48] um I didn't know this town existed [01:56:50] before I ended up [01:56:52] um I'd love to move forward with this [01:56:54] and see this happen [01:57:03] ing [01:57:19] [Music] [01:57:24] back in the day this [01:57:26] was all agriculture they had big [01:57:34] after five to seven thousand cars in [01:57:36] parking lots in these fields that are [01:57:39] open [01:57:43] um these people wanted to do this [01:57:46] so are we really going to get five [01:57:57] if I [01:58:00] could [01:58:01] go to Barbara [01:58:05] I don't know I [01:58:08] worked this [01:58:10] an apartment never mind [01:58:40] foreign [01:59:01] um of some sort but before we move to [01:59:04] your chair I just want to ask is there [01:59:07] anyone else today that would like to [01:59:10] make a common comment and so then we'll [01:59:13] have the applicant will go after the [01:59:16] chair [01:59:17] thank you [01:59:19] I can go last [01:59:22] [Music] [01:59:28] night [01:59:39] we do offer the applicant the [01:59:41] opportunity to speak class so I'm not [01:59:43] sure if you're speaking substantively or [01:59:46] if you're speaking [01:59:48] procedurally with respect to the select [01:59:51] board [02:00:00] ing so um we'll show we have one more [02:00:03] person who would like to speak and when [02:00:05] you come to the microphone please do [02:00:08] state your name clearly and again is [02:00:11] there another hand before we go to [02:00:13] another gentleman so Mr Stefani if you [02:00:16] could just hold and thank you [02:00:20] hello everyone [02:00:29] thank you [02:00:30] I work full time with [02:00:32] their time [02:00:40] what gentleman mentioned [02:00:43] would be great [02:00:46] some of the horse rescues [02:00:49] coupons to take care of these horses [02:00:53] apologize for the breaking of the twice [02:00:56] but I also network with several other [02:00:58] rescues in the state of Massachusetts [02:01:01] and we all rely on [02:01:04] fundraisers spaghetti dinners [02:01:13] yeah so if there is a way that [02:01:18] the thoroughbred horses can [02:01:21] be theirs [02:01:23] security would be great I have to I'm [02:01:26] just gonna mention one thing [02:01:28] recently that is outside of the state [02:01:31] says [02:01:32] something to consider about [02:01:35] horses after racing [02:01:38] sometimes owners of course [02:01:42] owners love their horses [02:01:45] and they take great care of [02:01:47] them [02:01:48] anymore [02:01:52] horses [02:01:57] about something that could happen [02:02:00] happens is my my owner dies [02:02:04] the horses I [02:02:10] I think that's [02:02:14] part of the regulations [02:02:22] racing license but how do you really [02:02:25] protect horses [02:02:27] thank you [02:02:32] sorry [02:02:42] hello [02:02:44] my name is Chris Drake this is Logan [02:02:46] Mass [02:03:00] oh good friends have been [02:03:03] false organs [02:03:05] since 2005. [02:03:12] Kentucky Derby Saratoga [02:03:16] secretary and significant funny signs [02:03:23] that we have you know we've provided [02:03:28] good hard-working people with full-time [02:03:32] jobs 2005. [02:03:35] people [02:03:37] appreciate and loving to God we've also [02:03:40] supported numerous businesses [02:03:47] [Music] [02:03:54] and [02:03:56] this if this comes to pass [02:04:05] you know these are [02:04:08] white working with their hands right to [02:04:10] wipe my opportunities [02:04:12] not everybody [02:04:20] went to work on family [02:04:25] Society [02:04:28] for people with different skill sets and [02:04:32] different [02:04:34] provided some of them will be full-time [02:04:37] a lot of them will be part-time but the [02:04:40] people who do get [02:04:52] I do want to say [02:04:55] our endurance [02:04:57] field you know I've [02:05:00] dealt with me Richard videos [02:05:03] [Music] [02:05:18] so [02:05:20] that's all I want to say I just [02:05:24] especially jobs [02:05:26] working with their hands are important [02:05:29] in society needs a variety of jobs for [02:05:33] people with different [02:05:35] skill sets [02:05:42] anyone else [02:05:47] oh thank you [02:05:59] my name is [02:06:16] personalized really [02:06:19] foreign [02:06:44] [Music] [02:06:56] please thank you [02:07:00] my concern is [02:07:02] put out [02:07:04] [Music] [02:07:06] a difficult [02:07:07] even for example [02:07:11] work [02:07:14] a large quantum [02:07:19] and I'm not sure that some of the people [02:07:21] who share that [02:07:24] once this type of character Gets In [02:07:27] Motion [02:07:31] to what they can learn what the outside [02:07:48] 49 racing guys [02:07:53] one would say there must be something [02:07:56] going on [02:07:58] American public tennis [02:08:00] is not concerned about maybe there are [02:08:03] more problems and so [02:08:07] and so for the International race track [02:08:13] is of course one of the smaller [02:08:15] communities if you look at the ones that [02:08:18] close they were in larger communities [02:08:20] and they had [02:08:22] [Music] [02:08:24] an almost [02:08:25] and I say [02:08:31] so far has been [02:08:33] the community here have been put in a [02:08:36] significant disadvantage because [02:08:38] information flowed that is slowly [02:08:43] but we're becoming increasingly aware of [02:08:45] the other side [02:08:49] [Music] [02:08:57] quite a bit more time [02:08:59] we're trying to change [02:09:04] awesome [02:09:06] trial disclosure [02:09:10] from Criminal Behavior I was expelled [02:09:16] so I would be very suspect about what it [02:09:19] is [02:09:26] most of my work has been trying to serve [02:09:28] the [02:09:33] various [02:09:35] continue [02:09:37] most often it is the small community [02:09:39] will get molested [02:09:41] against [02:09:44] the information [02:09:48] with a certain amount of extra interest [02:09:51] because maybe we don't have an old [02:09:53] sufficient [02:09:55] systems [02:10:01] to certainly look at [02:10:04] which [02:10:06] just deliver [02:10:08] Ed me [02:10:16] so refreshing [02:10:18] it didn't exchange between those folks [02:10:22] will probably have to summarize a lot of [02:10:27] a lot of information clear [02:10:30] reliable and trusted [02:10:33] I guess it's my business is having been [02:10:36] there I understand the difficulties [02:10:40] to look at greatest [02:10:46] quite awesome somewhere [02:10:50] so follow-up question [02:10:52] I have a follow-up question [02:10:55] we'll expel to which town [02:11:00] it wasn't in Massachusetts [02:11:04] the interesting thing I did get back [02:11:07] when I finally grew up [02:11:10] actually congratulations [02:11:16] happy birthday [02:11:22] beauty of this is [02:11:26] several officials important that Public [02:11:29] School Systems [02:11:32] so there is some justice for life [02:11:34] [Applause] [02:11:43] thank you thank you any other hands [02:11:48] thank you [02:11:51] any other hands no not missing anyone [02:11:55] okay [02:11:59] I'm so sorry [02:12:01] if you jump up there seems to be one [02:12:03] more yes ma'am yes please [02:12:07] come up and stay grenade we may ask you [02:12:11] to spell your ass [02:12:16] low [02:12:19] grew up on the fact that [02:12:22] the racetrack [02:12:24] I have to gently against forces [02:12:28] loves to have that [02:12:33] when the Agricultural and the animals in [02:12:35] it [02:12:37] it's a hard decision [02:12:40] for this town [02:12:43] [Music] [02:12:46] that I'd like to have a compromise [02:12:48] somehow [02:12:51] and [02:12:55] can we have the racetrack somewhere else [02:13:07] it's the best place to live and the [02:13:10] animals would be great and that's what [02:13:12] it was intended for [02:13:23] anyone else [02:13:26] [Music] [02:13:29] oh let me see one more gentleman [02:13:38] I understand the term [02:13:40] um the term is taking a second bite of [02:13:42] the Apple [02:13:45] um I won't because you're up here so far [02:13:47] I'm gonna let you have a second bite of [02:13:49] the Apple thank you thank you you were [02:13:51] pretty beautiful thank you but remind us [02:13:54] of your name [02:14:01] [Music] [02:14:09] using componential to store the type of [02:14:12] paper [02:14:13] and discussion of power and they thought [02:14:16] about what they would do [02:14:19] away [02:14:20] someone said no never give up all right [02:14:36] mistake played games [02:14:56] you know um I see some other now I see [02:14:59] another individual who wants to come for [02:15:01] a second bite of the apple and I [02:15:03] actually am going to [02:15:05] um I'm going to ask that uh we respect [02:15:08] that that we all had a chance to speak [02:15:11] I'm I'm sorry that I gave him the [02:15:14] opportunity to come up he was all the [02:15:16] way up here when he recognized in this [02:15:18] summer yeah he's apologizing but it is [02:15:23] um it is approaching 6 30 and I want to [02:15:25] honor the opportunity for the applicant [02:15:28] and and um [02:15:34] authorized [02:15:36] um [02:15:38] you were heard and we appreciate your [02:15:40] thoughts thank you [02:15:45] okay Mr Stefani thank you [02:15:51] thank you [02:16:01] my name is John [02:16:03] instead of the record representing [02:16:07] the whole purity comments and [02:16:11] since first [02:16:13] we [02:16:14] we stand for their contacts sincerely [02:16:16] and appreciate the input [02:16:29] or talk to [02:16:33] talk to her whatever it is to [02:16:40] we have an agreement with San Acres [02:16:42] which gives us until February of next [02:16:44] year at work through our permit process [02:16:52] is approval to the right to [02:16:54] continue [02:17:11] the product we have to [02:17:13] learn the land preservation committee [02:17:15] knows [02:17:18] crack [02:17:21] ER we need to go through these as we go [02:17:23] forward [02:17:24] the ancient species [02:17:29] outer part of the property [02:17:32] the furthest distance from where we're [02:17:34] touching [02:17:35] you're looking at [02:17:42] [Music] [02:17:46] and not near us [02:17:54] that would do that as part of [02:18:07] the zoning of the community [02:18:09] nuisance [02:18:12] courses [02:18:17] event that we're talking about [02:18:21] a number of days [02:18:35] [Applause] [02:18:39] is such an excellent job [02:18:44] and I I just really want everyone to [02:18:47] talk okay let's just take a breath [02:18:50] all right and and [02:18:52] um all individual assistants take a [02:18:55] breath we're going to allow the [02:18:57] applicant to make the presentation [02:19:03] I appreciate the fine too [02:19:09] funny [02:19:18] Society estimates that supports us [02:19:25] and we have [02:19:28] plot tendency [02:19:31] there will be no [02:19:43] impact in terms of [02:19:46] um [02:19:47] the site [02:19:51] for the years foreign [02:20:18] adjustment [02:20:23] just modest [02:20:26] with living [02:20:32] with no more than two [02:20:41] the parameters yes we would oversee [02:20:51] received hate Fields when we're done [02:20:53] because of some effort [02:20:57] has done [02:21:02] so we [02:21:09] [Music] [02:21:12] believe different members [02:21:13] members are different [02:21:15] different areas different school has [02:21:16] been together for [02:21:24] the number uh [02:21:31] anything [02:21:33] foreign [02:21:50] [Music] [02:22:06] not [02:22:10] to be not [02:22:12] we cannot lead [02:22:17] ER posing [02:22:22] and composing [02:22:23] those [02:22:32] are we post putting in our [02:22:35] prohibition [02:22:38] to illness revenues that come from a [02:22:40] cell phone [02:22:44] and the resource development [02:22:46] will subsidize in essence operation with [02:22:51] provide Revenue to horse farms Farmers [02:22:54] here horse Farmers across the [02:22:57] main open space [02:22:58] those 20 [02:23:00] traffic flows [02:23:01] acrossery [02:23:09] invasion of the [02:23:18] poor [02:23:19] relationships [02:23:22] to subsidies and the persons and the [02:23:24] money that goes to the course owners [02:23:36] to one location each [02:23:40] so let's talk about [02:23:43] the 35 stats [02:23:46] when racing was [02:23:51] about racism [02:23:55] the number has come down [02:23:57] the legislature instead of addressing [02:24:00] the reality that the [02:24:04] persons [02:24:08] dwindling [02:24:11] today [02:24:20] the legislature recently reduced that [02:24:22] number [02:24:25] it is a hard and task role that the [02:24:28] legislature establish Ed or they would [02:24:30] say you must in 20 days but instead in [02:24:33] recognition [02:24:35] purpose of talent [02:24:36] you the commission can wave those days [02:24:39] if it is necessary for the traffic [02:24:43] we've proposed [02:24:46] proposed two days [02:24:56] [Music] [02:24:57] forces [02:25:00] or in the future as far as anyone [02:25:06] that those days are going to be and [02:25:07] we're all [02:25:10] but those two precious they [02:25:14] how they will bring folks to this [02:25:20] will provide revenues [02:25:22] corresponds [02:25:27] few farriers to [02:25:29] follow the [02:25:33] entire [02:25:36] incredible facility [02:25:47] we've tried [02:25:53] answer how we deal with [02:26:05] predicament says [02:26:11] the third Village [02:26:15] provided ability [02:26:21] money through [02:26:24] as a way to to deal with [02:26:27] someone's pieces [02:26:35] ownership transfer and they might not [02:26:37] look at whether [02:26:39] that is [02:26:46] because they know everything [02:26:48] and and it's a serious [02:26:51] Ness you have a serious Endeavor in [02:26:53] terms of what it means for a qualifier [02:26:55] and [02:26:57] you know that [02:27:01] we do that [02:27:14] if I ate up a residence official or [02:27:17] selected [02:27:19] or choose [02:27:22] we would work with to address and make [02:27:25] sure we're dealing with global positions [02:27:26] preference and advertising [02:27:30] local residents have [02:27:33] the events in the [02:27:35] things that are [02:27:37] [Music] [02:27:54] I can very clearly to design [02:28:04] space [02:28:07] a [02:28:11] steeple [02:28:13] so that the it goes up I can raise it [02:28:16] goes back [02:28:17] so in [02:28:19] a minimally disrupt [02:28:24] disrupt occur on the C [02:28:26] ease [02:28:28] horses don't use that [02:28:32] as progresses [02:28:39] and [02:28:42] with one thought [02:28:47] I have [02:28:49] a great deal of my personal time and [02:29:00] for our team [02:29:07] third question [02:29:12] commit [02:29:14] ment [02:29:15] [Music] [02:29:18] answer questions try to provide [02:29:20] Solutions [02:29:22] different ways to bring people a level [02:29:25] of comfort [02:29:26] this I operation [02:29:29] a lot of what I hear this in a lot of [02:29:32] the fears and concerns which by the way [02:29:33] are from undocumented [02:29:35] on source [02:29:43] of our program [02:29:45] s [02:29:48] we [02:29:51] are bless [02:29:53] manual [02:29:54] Sports and [02:30:05] check things [02:30:13] so I don't think I have to tell you how [02:30:16] much the people behind stand behind and [02:30:20] literally behind us lifting us up uh [02:30:24] appreciate this town and how big of an [02:30:26] issue this is for this [02:30:28] it's a big issue for the three people [02:30:30] sitting over there [02:30:31] so um [02:30:33] I think the chair commissioner O'Brien [02:30:35] commissioner Hill commissioner Skinner [02:30:38] and commissioner Maynard for listening [02:30:40] we are well over our posted time they [02:30:43] were very generous a lot probably more [02:30:45] generous than us than we were [02:30:47] in our shop people's mindfulness [02:30:49] if they went over time they were kind [02:30:51] with [02:30:53] a sign [02:30:55] we know that you will make the right [02:30:56] decision you will be fair you'll listen [02:30:59] to everything we have to say [02:31:01] I'm fairly certain that folks will be [02:31:03] streaming and listening to what you have [02:31:07] um and just want to thank you [02:31:11] hardwood for coming here holding your [02:31:13] hearing we welcome you back if you want [02:31:15] to write on any of those roads that [02:31:17] people have been talking about we [02:31:19] promise we won't let you get lost like [02:31:21] the bishop [02:31:22] but we're here [02:31:24] um you know we encourage questions if [02:31:27] you have anything for us and really are [02:31:30] interested in [02:31:31] your deliberations any insight that for [02:31:35] asking questions [02:31:36] anyways [02:31:39] not comfortable seats that you're [02:31:41] sitting on for a long period of time it [02:31:44] was a little chilly in here so I [02:31:45] apologize for that but [02:31:48] for considering this very difficult [02:31:51] topic for the town of Hardwick thank you [02:31:53] for the residents for being here [02:31:55] yet again [02:31:56] um I know this is your hearing but just [02:31:58] wanted to again say thank you [02:32:13] because Josh do you have any questions [02:32:15] or comments for [02:32:17] members of the community [02:32:22] and I think on behalf of my fellow [02:32:24] commissioners [02:32:38] could you give us a minute to just get [02:32:41] through a procedural question please and [02:32:44] thank you so [02:32:54] you see [02:33:16] okay [02:33:23] [Music] [02:33:29] here with me [02:33:51] out [02:33:56] back [02:34:35] thanks [02:34:55] is [02:34:58] thank you everybody [02:35:10] thought you're going to get away without [02:35:11] pulling up your blue chairs but um [02:35:28] thank you [02:35:49] we just thought it was important for our [02:35:51] clarification should be made [02:35:55] um [02:35:58] to him [02:36:00] extended uh questions [02:36:05] the question is [02:36:07] the approval of pursue into [02:36:10] 128a section 13A the approval by the [02:36:14] board of the race track [02:36:16] I wanted to address that right [02:36:24] so [02:36:27] apply for the gaming commission Grant [02:36:30] embracing [02:36:32] approval under [02:36:34] 28 days [02:36:38] in the community on that matter [02:36:43] Ed [02:36:43] [Music] [02:36:47] soon [02:36:49] the [02:36:54] statute [02:36:56] must act [02:37:01] approval is received [02:37:04] uh [02:37:12] when any development projects in the [02:37:13] community [02:37:26] [Music] [02:37:30] so [02:37:31] instead answer the question [02:37:50] okay oh [02:37:52] um [02:37:53] no second bytes of the app [02:38:03] s [02:38:04] we wanted to make sure everyone here [02:38:07] understood the sequences got two [02:38:10] processes going on we deal with what is [02:38:14] another our statutes [02:38:17] foreign [02:38:44] office [02:38:56] if they do not rescind their [02:39:01] [Music] [02:39:11] dedication [02:39:12] the questionable obviously [02:39:16] the theme is if they make a phone [02:39:20] approval competition is submitted [02:39:22] the location decision is automatically [02:39:25] suspended until such time [02:39:30] so the licenses ranted [02:39:35] presented [02:39:45] [Music] [02:39:48] in the central election [02:39:51] s [02:39:52] that is [02:40:03] considering if they do approve the [02:40:13] comment on that if not follow [02:40:20] thank you so much [02:40:24] so I wish to thank each and every one of [02:40:27] you for being [02:40:29] such a wonderful public for us to hear [02:40:32] from your level of interest that so many [02:40:36] of you offering your comments [02:40:39] some of you noting that [02:40:41] that you're not comfortable speaking in [02:40:44] public [02:40:45] showing you [02:40:46] so we thank you we thank you for uh [02:40:50] following input uh really on behalf of [02:40:53] each and every one of us [02:40:56] we also thank you for being so courteous [02:40:59] and respectful process [02:41:02] as I noted at the beginning [02:41:05] these are passionate matters [02:41:07] and we are very intrusive that you've [02:41:10] allowed us to come today to your home [02:41:13] your hard work and to allow us to hear [02:41:16] from you and uh [02:41:21] and we thank you have a good night [02:41:24] everyone get home safe and uh grab some [02:41:28] cookies [02:41:30] we want to honor meetings and again [02:41:34] thank you so much and please hold up [02:41:36] your food chains