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Massachusetts tribal casino talks near end19 July 2007MASSACHUSETTS -- As reported by the South Coast Today: "A spokesman for the Mashpee Wampanoag says negotiations between the tribe and the town of Middleboro over a proposed casino should be wrapped up by Friday, in plenty of time to present to voters at a special Town Meeting on July 28. "'I have no reason to believe that we won't have an agreement by Friday,' tribal spokesman Scott Ferson said Wednesday. "...The tribe initially offered Middleboro $7 million a year in lieu of taxes and $150 million for infrastructure improvements. The town indicated its initial acceptance of those terms, but, after hiring a new attorney, made a counteroffer seeking more money. "...As a federally recognized tribe, the Wampanoag would pay no taxes on land it takes into trust for a casino. As part of the negotiated agreement with Middleboro, the town would assist the tribe's efforts to take the land into trust, which must be approved by the federal Department of the Interior. The parties returned to the negotiating table last week, using the initial tribal offer as the starting point for the new talks..." |