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C*ty of Taunton <br /> LAW DEPARTMENT <br /> 141 Oak Street <br /> Taunton,Massachusetts 02780 <br /> Phone(508)821-1036' Facsimile(508)821-1397 <br /> Shaunna 0"Connell Matthew J. Costa,Esq. <br /> MAYOR FIRST ASST.CITY SOLICITOR <br /> David T.Gay,Esq. Mark S.Gould,Jr.,Esq. <br /> CITY SOLICITOR SECOND ASST.CITY SOLICITOR <br /> 'fliomas P.Gay,Jr.,Esq. <br /> SPECIAL T.CITY SOLICITOR <br /> May 8, 2020 <br /> Council President Barry Sanders <br /> Members of the'Municipal Council <br /> City of Taunton <br /> 141 Oak Street <br /> Taunton, Massachusetts 02780 <br /> Re: Payment due to the City Pursuant to IGA with Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe dated <br /> May 17, 2012 <br /> Dear Members of the Municipal Council: <br /> This letter is a report regarding the status of the payment due under the above <br /> 16A as requested by the Council at April 28,'2020 meeting. <br /> The Law Department issued formal notice disputing the non-payment on March <br /> 31, 2020, a copy of which is enclosed for your reference. <br /> A request made by the Tribe for an extension for payment was agreed to-based <br /> on.the expectation of the Tribe to raise revenue through the establishment of a tribal <br /> bingo hall. However, the establishment of a tribal bingo hall has not been realized due <br /> to the COVID-19 pandemic. <br /> Presently we are taking steps to seek a meeting with representatives of the Tribe <br /> to review the status of the required payment. <br /> The IGA contains a dispute resolution procedure requiring arbitration of disputes <br /> and enforcement of arbitration decisions in the Superior Court. Non-payment of a sum <br /> required under the IGA, such as the PILOT payment at issue, would be subject to said <br /> dispute resolution procedure. <br /> If the Tribe does not meet its commitment under the I by making payment, the <br /> comity's recourse would be to pursue the next steps h the claims/dispute resolution <br /> process of the IGA. <br />