Medford became the second neighboring city to voice opposition to a potential casino development in Everett when the City Council voted 5 to 2 Tuesday to oppose any such development on the old Monsanto Chemical Co. site.
The Massachusetts casino law requires any development to receive referendum approval from the host community. It also requires the developer to negotiate mitigation with neighboring communities.
Mayor Joseph Curtatone of Somerville has vowed to do everything in his power to block a casino development in Everett if it means building a new Interstate 93 ramp through Somerville.
Michael Marks — a Medford city councilor who lives in Wellington, a neighborhood about 1 mile from the Everett site — called for the vote at the council’s meeting.
“There is no inherent value of having a casino within three-quarters of a mile of a residential neighborhood in our city,” Marks said, adding he would continue to bring it up at council meetings as long as Everett considers a casino development.
Councilors Breanna Lungo-Koehn, Robert Maiocco, Rick Caraviello, and Robert Penta joined Marks in favoring the resolution.
“You don’t have to be a magician to figure this one out,” Penta said. “It’s just going to have a huge impact.”
Traffic on Route 16 in Medford is already a problem and would only be exacerbated by a casino, Penta said. The 37-acre Monsanto site is located on Alford Street, just off Route 16.
Medford Mayor Michael McGlynn has said he will not take a position on a casino until an official proposal is made.