Casino competition heats up in Holyoke

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - The Holyoke City Council is meeting for the first time since Mayor Alex Morse shifted gears and said he'd be open to negotiating with casino developers.

Included on the council's agenda for Tuesday night is formation of a special five-member committee to review casino proposals and their potential impact on surrounding neighborhoods.

Morse, who ran for mayor last year on a staunch anti-casino platform, announced last week he had begun talks with the owner of a former amusement park on Mount Tom about developing a casino.

A second company, Paper City Development, has revived its earlier plan to build a casino at the Wyckoff Country Club.

Councilors may also be asked to approve $25,000 "grants" paid by both developers last week to cover costs associated with the city's casino review process.