Tewksbury Public Safety Unions Announce Support For Proposed Merrimack Valley Casino

Tewksbury's police and fire unions announced Thursday their support for the Merrimack Valley Casino currently proposed by Penn National Gaming for 300 Ames Pond Drive.

The Tewksbury Police Patrolman's Union, Superior Officers Union and Tewksbury Fire Union Local 1647 announced their support for the proposal nearly a week after Penn National Gaming committed to providing $900,000 in grants to the Tewksbury Police Department and Fire Department should their Merrimack Valley Casino be awarded a license from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.

On Tuesday, at a Board of Selectmen meeting, Tewksbury Fire Chief Mike Hazel and Police Chief Timothy Sheehan reported back to Selectmen and Town Manager Richard Montuori on their outreach to public safety officials in other communities that host a gaming facility. 

Sheehan said he had taken the time to reach out to colleagues in law enforcement, asking for their experiences in dealing with gaming facilities.

"All of the material I received in the beginning was that all residents and business owners had anticipated prostitution crime, organized crime and violent crime," Sheehan said. "It just never materialized for any of these places."

Hazel said he similarly reached out to fire officials in areas where Penn National operates, and said he found that other departments did not need to increase their staff as a result of gaming facilities.

"None of the communities we spoke to had to add resources or staff directly as a result of a casino," Hazel said. "They found it was insignificant as far as call increases for ambulance or fire."

In a statement, representatives from each of the three unions expressed support for the proposed slots-only casino, and said they were impressed by Penn National's commitment to public safety. 

“We have been impressed by Penn National and their commitment to public safety here in Tewksbury, and in the other jurisdictions across the country where they operate,” said Patrolman James Hollis, President of the Tewksbury Police Patrolmen’s Union.  “We support the proposed Merrimack Valley Casino and are confident that it will not have a negative impact on public safety in our community.”

Sgt. Thomas M. Cooke of the Tewksbury Superior Officers Union said $450,000 in grants to both the Police and Fire Department showed Penn National's commitment to public safety in the communities in which they operate. 

“We are proud to support Penn National’s proposed project, and are impressed by how they’ve reached out to us to tell us about their plans, answer our questions, and understand our needs,” said Sgt. Thomas M. Cooke of the Tewksbury Superior Officers Union.  “We are also impressed by their commitment of an additional $450,000 each in grants to the police and fire departments of Tewksbury.”

Lt. James Giasullo, president of the Tewksbury Fire Union Local 1647 said the union felt that Penn National had shown strong partnerships with public safety officials in the communities in which they operate.

“Penn National is a company with a terrific track record of supporting their local communities, and working closely with public safety agencies,” said Lt. James Giasullo, president of the Tewksbury Fire Union Local 1647.  “We are excited to support their proposal and look forward to having them as an important business in our community.”

Penn National Gaming is proposing a $200 million slots-only casino at 300 Ames Pond Drive. 

Special Town Meeting will be held on Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. at Tewksbury Memorial High School, with a two-thirds majority vote required to approve the proposed zoning changes necessary to accommodate a gaming facility at 300 Ames Pond Drive.