Crabtree seeks ‘surrounding community’ status for Saugus

SAUGUS – Town Manager Scott Crabtree is looking to include Saugus on the list of towns to be considered “surrounding communities” by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.In the a letter to the commission, Crabtree said if a casino were to open at Suffolk Downs, Saugus would “certainly be impacted” under at least three of the commissions? criteria.?The transportation infrastructure in the town of Saugus would unquestionably be significantly and adversely impacted by new resort-bound traffic on an already overburdened Route 1,” said Crabtree.Crabtree also noted there would be increased traffic on side roads in Saugus trying to reach Route 107 and said a casino would also “significantly and adversely” impact Saugus financially as “service, hospitality and retail enterprises located on the Route 1 corridor experience a loss of business.”?This loss of business will in turn cause the town to face the prospects of both job losses for local residents and reductions of meals, room and real estate tax revenue receipts with are critical elements of the town?s finances,” he said.According to a draft regulation from the Gaming Commission, a city or town will be designated a “surrounding community” based on factors such as distance to the host community, increases in traffic, environmental impacts and “anticipated degradation of infrastructure from additional trips to and from a gaming establishment.”Gaming Commission spokesperson Elaine Driscoll could not be reached Thursday.Crabtree finished his letter saying Saugus “strongly supports” the commission?s proposed determination of surrounding communities regulation.Selectmen Chairman Michael Serino said Saugus should “absolutely” be considered a surrounding community since it borders Revere and noted he and Crabtree will be meeting with a consultant next month to discuss how to proceed.?When we met with the state delegation around two weeks ago that was the issue that was brought up ?,” said Serino. “We could get mitigation and funds regarding what impact it would have on businesses on Route 1 and the traffic impact for Saugus. We have to find out what the impacts to the town are before we can even say what we?re going to go after so it?s one step at a time.”Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].