OXFORD — Town Manager Michael Chammings, speaking at a Board of Selectmen meeting Thursday, tried to quell townspeople’s concerns about a proposed multimillion-dollar casino project.
His comments came two days after Maine voters narrowly approved allowing a casino to be built in Oxford County.
Chammings said the town would have to change a few regulations, including a maximum building height of 35 feet.
He also said the budget will be tight for the first few years before the $165 million casino and resort begins making money and sharing revenue with the town. Oxford will have to accommodate more traffic and probably hire an extra police officer in that time, he said.
He urged patience in awaiting news from project developer Black Bear Entertainment on the location of the casino. “You’re probably not going to see plans for a few weeks,” Chammings said.
He said he was confident that Black Bear Entertainment would be honest and thorough in their planning. “They don’t cut corners on anything,” he said.
In other matters, Chammings said film of the Robinson Mill dam, which regulates water levels on Thompson Lake, showed supporting pylons are worn out and need replacement. The footage was shot by Diver Down Underwater Services, a Portland company specializing in underwater inspection.
Also Thursday, the board approved a liquor license for Ocean Pearl restaurant.
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