Mashpee Talks Continue

The Mashpee Wampanoag tribe resumes negotiations with Middleborough officials today about plans to build a casino in the town.

The two sides are meeting for the first time since the tribe rejected a proposal by Middleborough board members asking for payments of $250 million dollars and a percentage in casino profits-- a sharp increase compared to an original deal that included a flat $7-million annual payment to the town.

Meanwhile, Mayor Menino is announcing he's interested in bringing a resort-style casino to East Boston. Menino says he'd like to meet with the tribe, or another casino developer, to consider the Suffolk Downs racetrack as an expanded gambling site.

"I would like to see it happen," he said adding that it would add jobs and boost tourism in the city.

The tribe is open to considering several sites for a casino, but a lawyer representing Middleborough, Denis Whittlesey, said Suffolk Down's East Boston is outside the tribe's territory and therefore not an option.