The Henrietta Town Board is officially on record opposing a Seneca Nation of Indians in the town.

Last night, board members voted 4 to 0 in favor Supervisor Jack Moore's resolution, stating their opposition. Media reports say approximately 20 people spoke at the meeting, most against the casino. The resolution is available here, starting on page 6.

The Seneca Gaming Corporation, an affiliate of the Seneca Nation of Indians, has purchased 32 acres on Clay Road for the purpose of developing a casino and other related facilities, including a hotel.

Seneca Gaming officials released this statement immediately after the Town Board vote:

“A new Seneca casino could bring $200 million in private capital investment to the community, potentially creating more than 1,000 construction jobs and 2,000 permanent jobs with excellent benefits. Beyond investment and jobs, such a project could also provide significant partnership opportunities for local vendors, educational and civic institutions, and provide needed revenue for local governments, just as we have done elsewhere. All of that contributes to the economic expansion of Monroe County. The first step in developing a project is to engage the community in order to ensure the plan that is developed fits within and complements the surrounding area. This process would have allowed us to articulate our vision and to discuss the project’s benefits with the Henrietta community. Rather than allow that process to move forward, the town board has instead prematurely decided to take its position. Our belief in our vision and in the benefits it will deliver to Monroe County has not changed.”

If the Senecas decide to pursue the casino, and their next move is not clear, the town will not have an approval role. But the casino will need certain state and federal approvals, and those processes are supposed to consider community opinion. So the Town Board's opposition could play a factor.