The City Council will vote on the proposed racetrack tonight: What does the mayor say?

The Gardner City Council agenda for tonight includes two items related to the proposed horse track at 827 Green St., item # 11317, whether or not to allow horse racing at the facility and item # 11323, which would authorize the mayor to enter into negotiations with the proponent, Bay State Racing, LLC regarding a Host Community Agreement.

The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. in the Gardner City Hall Council Chamber. No public hearing or comment period is scheduled before the city council votes on Monday night. However, the council plans to vote first on item 11317, which determines whether horse racing is allowed on the Green Street property.

Gardner News spoke to Mayor Michael Nicholson about the proposed horse racing facility to get his perspective. Here is what he said.

"Every business should get a fair shot"

The mayor and his team have been vocal about making Gardner a business-friendly city. The mayor said Gardner has not been business-friendly in the past and has not given potential businesses their right to due diligence when they present their case.

"If we don't give people at least a shot to sell their case, then we are shooting ourselves in the foot," he said. "Now be it (Bay State Racing) a business we decided it isn't meant for us. I'm just glad it was put forward and sent to a public hearing and got input from residents."

He said he hears residents' legitimate concerns, and ever since the public hearing on Wednesday, July 24, he has continued to listen to residents' concerns and comments on whether horse racing should be allowed in the city.

"At this point, it's weighing out the options, seeing the counter-proposal that Bay State has proposed versus the concerns that people are raising, and making an educated decision," he said. "We are figuring it out based on the public's input of 'what do we do?'"

Mayor said he will respect City Council vote

The mayor said Gardner officials must find creative ways to increase the city's revenue to avoid having to pass 2 1/2 overrides. He said many municipalities in the commonwealth are facing financial issues like Gardner's, and they are resorting to passing 2 1/2 overrides to pay for the school and municipality operation budgets.

Nicholson said on average, annually, about eight municipalities in the state would pass an override, but in the past year, it was 46 municipalities.

"If this isn't the way, it isn't the way," he said. "If this is something that doesn't happen, we're going to find other ways to increase our revenue because we are placing too much burden on our residential taxpayers."

"People can expect the council to make an educated decision," he said. "At this point, it's the council's job to make the vote, and I respect whatever decision the council makes."

Mayor's thoughts on revised Bay State proposal

In Bay State Racing's most recent Host Community Agreement proposal, they have increased the amount of annual payments from $500,000 to $700,000. The dozens of residents who have vocalized their opposition have repeatedly said that no amount of money is worth allowing horse racing into the city.

The mayor said that although the city can use the annual $700,000 to cover everything on its capital improvement and deferred maintenance list that has been put off for decades, it doesn't mean it shouldn't make a decision solely based on financial factors.

"Decisions need to be made based on all factors, not just financial factors," he said. "Yes, the financial impact will benefit the city, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be thoroughly vetted."

The proposed HCA addresses the environmental impact and contamination concerns that several Gardner residents expressed. The Green St. property is located near Perley Brook Reservoir and flows into Crystal Lake, the city's water supply.

Bay State has stated in the revised HCA proposal that the Mass Department of Environmental Protection will review the site plans, is allowed to inspect the site at any time, that they will do what is needed to require the Water Quality Certification and they have also promised to test the surface water runoff quality every quarter.

Other promises on the HCA proposal are that Bay State will never apply for a casino license, wagering, and betting are only allowed onsite, and only during live racing days, the horse racing company will help GAAMHA build a new facility with double the capacity, and they will manage all traffic impacts that the Gardner Planning Board will review.

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: The City Council will vote on the proposed racetrack tonight: What does the mayor say?