Politics & Government

Potential Impact of Proposed Merrimack Valley Casino on Water and Sewer Rates

What effect would the proposed Merrimack Valley Casino have on sewer and water rates in town?


Earlier this week, we posted several potential revenue projections of annual tax revenue from the proposed Merrimack Valley Casino.

Attached to this post are two graphs outlining the potential impacts on water and sewer rates should the proposed slots-only casino at 300 Ames Pond Drive receive approval at an Aug. 20 special Town Meeting, town referendum and license from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.

The graphs, provided by Board of Selectmen Chairman Scott Wilson, outline projections of sewer and water rates should the proposed slots-only casino receive approval, and should it not.

In April, the Board of Selectmen were provided projections on water and sewer rates through 2023 by Town Manager Richard Montuori, according to Wilson.

In recent weeks, Selectmen asked Montuori to rerun the projections factoring in the proposed Merrimack Valley Casino hooked up to water and sewer in Tewksbury, according to Wilson.

Wilson said that reduced sewer and water rates are something that has come up with every resident he has spoken with concerning the proposal.

"Over the past few weeks, I’ve had many conversations about Penn National’s proposed project and what it could mean for Tewksbury residents," Wilson said. "The opportunity to provide tax relief and to reduce high water and sewer costs is something that virtually everyone I’ve spoken with agree should be at the top of the list of priorities."

Wilson said the proposed Merrimack Valley Casino would provide needed relief to water and sewer rates in Tewksbury.

"I look forward to working with my colleagues to develop a framework for the revenue from the Penn National slots-only facility that will include meaningful tax and sewer cost relief," Wilson said. 

The red lines represent the projections presented to Selectmen in April, and the blue represent the updated projections factoring in the proposed slots-only casino.

According to the projections, the proposed Penn National Gaming facility connecting to the sewer in Tewksbury is the equivalent of 180 home connections and would lead to residential savings of approximately 11 percent over 10 years. 

We've also included two complete projections of water and sewer rates, one without the impacts of the proposed slots-only casino and one that factors in the proposed facility. 

Each projection offers estimated water and sewer rates from FY13 through FY23.

Check out the PDF file above for a look at the projections of sewer and water rates with and without the proposed Merrimack Valley Casino in Tewksbury. 


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