Understanding the impact of casinos on Mass. communities - by Greg Curtis

On May 21^st at Atlantic Wharf, the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Chapter of the Appraisal Institute is pleased to welcome officials from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission as well as representatives from Springfield and Plainridge to present “Understanding the Impact of Casinos on Massachusetts Communities.” Presentations will include an overview of the law and impacts expected from the new industry. There will also be a discussion of the process of selecting host and surrounding communities and ongoing community mitigation. Finally, there will be a presentation from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission’s director of research and responsible gaming who will discuss the commission’s public research work and focus to assess casino impacts on critical issues.

Presenters include the following:

• Bruce Stebbins, commissioner, Massachusetts Gaming Commissioner (MGC);

• John Ziemba, Ombudsman, MGC;

• Edward Pikula, city solicitor, Springfield, Mass.;

• Richard Allen, chairman of the board of assessors, Springfield, Mass.;

• Jennifer Thompson, town administrator, Plainville, Mass.

• Maureen Clarke, principal assessor, Plainville Mass.; and

• Mark Vander Linden, director of research and responsible gaming, MGC.

This program is approved for two hours of continuing education by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, State of New Hampshire, State of Rhode Island, and by the Appraisal Institute.

The election of 2020 officers, directors, and regional representatives will take place at the chapter business meeting. 

Pursuant to the procedures specified in Article X, nominations and elections of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Chapter of the Appraisal Institute’s bylaws, the nominating committee met via teleconference on April 1, and a follow-up electronic vote on April 9, and submitted the following slate for officers, directors and regional reps for the year 2020. The following represent only the vacant positions for this upcoming year, 2020.

President: George Demopulos, SRA, AI-RRS; Vice President: John Drew, MAI; Treasurer: Bradford Hevenor, MAI; Secretary: Robert Maloney, MAI.

Directors for a 3-year term (1/1/20 to 12/31/22): Ryan Christman, MAI; Thomas Jensen, MAI; Christopher Stickney, MAI.

Director to complete the term of Robert Maloney, MAI (1/1/20 – 12/31/21): Edward V. Bowler, MAI, SRA.

Regional Representatives - 2 yrs: (1/1/20 – 12/31/21): Edward V. Bowler, MAI; Bradford Hevenor, MAI.

Regional Representative Alternates – 1 yr: (1/1/19 – 12/31/19): Zach Bowyer, MAI Melanie Kosich, MAI Brett Pelletier Christopher Stickney, MAI.

Other networking events include AI After Hours at Jack’s Abby Brewery in Framingham which took place on May 9^th and AI After Hours at Trillium Brewing Company in Boston will take place on June 4^th.

Greg Curtis, MAI, is the 2019 president of the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Chapter of The Appraisal Institute, and senior vice president, valuation & advisory at Newmark Knight Frank, Boston, Mass.