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1 <br /> Board of Selectmen <br /> Minutes <br /> April 2, 2007 <br /> Present: Selectman Taylor, Selectman Cook, Selectman Cahalan, <br /> Selectman Myers, Selectman Green <br /> Town Manager Joyce Mason <br /> Assistant Town Manager Rene Read <br /> Meeting Called to Order by Chairman Taylor at 6:30 p.m. <br /> Town Hall, Conference Room#1 <br /> APPOINTMENTS AND HEARINGS: <br /> Tribal Land Trust Process: <br /> The Board of Selectmen conducted a public meeting to discuss <br /> federal recognition as it relates to the tribal land acquisition process. <br /> In attendance was Town Counsel, Patrick Costello of Merrick, Louison <br /> and Costello, LLP and Glenn Marshall, Maslipee Wampanoag Indian <br /> Tribal Council President. <br /> Also present on behalf of the Tribal Council were William A. McDermott <br /> of Sullivan and McDermott of Boston, and Reid P. Chambers of Sonosky, <br /> Chambers, Sachse a national law firm based out of Washington D. C. <br /> representing Native American interests. <br /> Federal recognition allows tribes to establish tribal lands, which are <br /> exempt from local property tax assessments. Federal recognition allows a <br /> tribe to access federal funds for housing needs, urban development, social <br /> services,health care programs and tribal government support such as <br /> schools, police and fire departments. Federal recognition also allows <br /> gambling casinos if gambling is legalized under state law. <br /> William McDermott indicated that he has been assisting the Mashpee <br /> Tribe as general counsel for the past four years. Mr. McDermott indicated <br /> the Tribe has no intention of building a casino on Cape Cod. <br /> It was noted the Bureau of Indian Affairs is expected to rule on the <br /> Mashpee Wampanoag Indian Tribal Council's Petition for federal <br /> recognition on May 23, 2007. <br />