First meeting for Agawam casino advisory committee

AGAWAM, Mass. (WWLP) - The Agawam Casino Advisory Committee held its first meeting Tuesday.

The committee was formed in response to the casino proposals for West Springfield and Springfield that could both potentially impact the town.

Committee Chairman and Town Clerk Richard Theroux told 22News residents have already voiced concerns about traffic and quality of life.

Theroux says the committee's main job is to protect the town and its residents.

"Any number of issues that confronts the town of Agawam and its population we are going to negotiate so that impact is as small as it possibly can be and that's what this committee is all about," Theroux told 22News.

The town has hired the lawfirm of Bacon and Wilson to help in the casino process.

The committee plans to meet again March 27th.

Theroux says they plan to meet monthly but could meet weekly once the Massachusetts Gaming Commission awards a casino license.