The proposal to bring a thoroughbred horse racetrack to Gardner has taken a step forward.
In a 9-to-2 vote on Monday, the City Council voted to approve a measure to schedule an informal meeting for the purpose of a presentation on the proposal and to schedule a public hearing to determine if the property at 827 Green St. be approved as a location of a running horse racing track.
GAAMHA, which owns the property, recently announced that they had entered into a contingency agreement with Bay State Racing LLC to sell the site for $1.6 million in a private sale.
The measure was amended by a 10-to-1 vote to include a requirement that Bay State Racing hold a pre-permitting meeting with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, and that the city be notified and invited to send representation to the meeting to observe.
Councilor Brad Heglin, who proposed the amendment, recommended that the meeting between Bay State Racing the Mass DEP be scheduled to take place before the informal meeting and public hearing.
A vote to authorize Mayor Michael Nicholson to enter into a Community Host Agreement between the city and Bay State Racing will be taken up by the council at a future meeting.
Prior to Monday’s vote, several councilors explained their reasoning for voting for or against the measure.
Councilor George Tyros, who voted in favor of scheduling the public hearing, said he was opposed to the proposal to bring horse racing to the city as it currently stood.
“However, I think it’s extremely important that we go through the process properly to be in compliance with state law,” he said. “For those who support this as well as for those who oppose this, this is the next step we have to take.”
Councilor Heglin, who voted in favor of the measure, said the informal meeting and public hearing would allow city officials to hear from the public and gather necessary information about the proposal.
“I also want to note that a public hearing is only the next step and that we as a council can take us much time as we need after that,” he said. “There is nothing compelling us to rush this process, and we have no deadline.”
Councilor Karen Harden said she was voting in support of the measure to get more information about the proposal.
“Tonight’s vote is not a final vote,” she said. “All we are being asked to do is hold a public hearing and another public hearing to discuss this in more detail. We should get more information, ask more questions.”
Councilor Paul Tassone voted against the measure, saying that he had already heard enough from residents.
“I feel as though Gardner does not want racing and the impact it will have on the people who have built their homes in that particular area,” he said. “I’ve answered several phone calls, I’ve listened, I have not have one person come to me and state that they were for racing, or they were for this project.”
Councilor Craig Cormier also voted in opposition to the measure.
“I hope if we do move forward with a public hearing that we do have answers to all of these questions that we need to make a proper vote, but I don’t think I can support a public hearing at this time,” he said.
A date for the informational meeting and public hearing was not discussed at Monday’s meeting.
Bay State Racing officials are proposing to convert the property, which was formerly LeBlanc Stables, into a year-round equestrian facility with activities that would include thoroughbred racing and wagering; agricultural and equestrian festivals; a breeding program; training facilities and therapy programs for individuals in recovery.
This is Bay State Racing’s second attempt to bring horse racing to Gardner; the 2023 attempt failed when it was determined that the parcel the organization was interested in purchasing could not be zoned for commercial use.
