Rep. O'Flaherty Concerned About Wynn Casino's Effect on Charlestown

Charlestown's state representative has added his voice to a growing group of local officials who have raised questions about Wynn LLC's proposal for a resort casino in Everett.

Rep. Eugene O'Flaherty, who represents the Second Suffolk District in the state legislature, submitted a letter July 22 to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs after reviewing early plans for the casino, as outlined in Wynn's expanded environmental notification form filed with the city.

In the letter, O'Flaherty asks that EOEEA officials consider the issues of traffic congestion, Designated Port Area implications and ancillary quality of life issues" as they evaluate the plan.

"After an inclusive and lengthy local process the community agreed to certain designated improvements to Sullivan Square which would be severely impacted by the Wynn Resort due to the projected increase in traffic," O'Flaherty wrote. "The traffic increase to and from the Wynn Resort will pass through Charlestown and is inconsistent with the Commonwealth's planned investments for the area which will improve the traffic flow through Sullivan Square, reduce the footprint of Rutherford Avenue and provide relief to the traffic congestion my constituents experience on a daily basis."

O'Flaherty also questioned the resort's potential impact on Charlestown's Designated Port Area, which he said is "pivotal to the economy of our region."

The representative also noted that until all the issues raised by the proposal are addressed and questions answered "and there is proper community notice and participation," he would exercise his authority to oppose the project.

Read O'Flaherty's full letter above.

The Charlestown Waterfront Coalition will host a presentation by Wynn LLC on Wednesday, Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. at Building 114 in the Charlestown Navy Yard. The meeting is open to the public.

>> View the Wynn LLC extended environmental notification form here.

>> Boston mayoral candidate Marty Walsh shares his views on the project.