State Gives Go Ahead to Mashpee but Not Aquinnah

The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) were notified on Wednesday by Gov. Deval Patrick that they have not met the guidelines of the state’s casino law, according to an article on the Cape Cod Times website. However, the Mashpee Wampanoag, who have identified land in Taunton and scheduled a vote there, can begin negotiations.

This does not mean that the Aquinnah are out of the running. The Times reported that, “In the letter to the Aquinnah, E. Abim Thomas, the governor’s deputy chief legal counsel, says the Vineyard-based tribe can reapply when it provides documentation of land and a scheduled vote.”

Cheryl Andrews-Maltais, chairwoman of the Aquinnah, issued a statement saying the tribe is ready to provide the required documentation.

“The letter requests details on a proposed site and host town vote, and we are in the process of responding to the governor,” she said.

The Aquinnah officials have met with officials from Fall River, Freetown and Lakeville but have not released any information regarding solidifying deals with any of these towns.

The Mashpee are farther along in the process having 77 acres under agreement in Taunton. Taunton Mayor Thomas Hoye Jr. told councilors he would hopes to have an agreement completed soon so that voters can learn all they need to about how the city stands to benefit from the casino. On June 9, Taunton will vote on a binding citywide referendum on whether residents support a proposed Mashpee Wampanoag casino. Hoye’s absolute deadline would be May 15th.

Both federally recognized tribes are hoping to open a casino in Southeastern Massachusetts and both are hoping to meet a July 31 deadline imposed by the state’s casino legislation.