Fitchburg residents challenge proposed horse racing track during city council meeting

The Leominster City Council meeting held on July 14, 2025, featured significant discussions surrounding the proposed construction of a new racing track and the potential establishment of an adult facility in the community. Residents expressed strong concerns about these developments, emphasizing their potential negative impacts on families and the local environment.

During the meeting, several community members voiced their opposition to the racing track, questioning the rationale behind building a facility that would only host events six times a year. One resident, who identified as a long-time employee in the nearby city of Fitchburg, criticized the proposal, suggesting that it did not align with the community's best interests.

Another speaker, Jean Robbie from Fitchburg, shared her personal experiences with gambling, highlighting its destructive effects on families and neighborhoods. She argued that introducing gambling facilities could lead to increased social issues, referencing her own struggles in Las Vegas, where gambling was promised to boost the economy but ultimately led to significant job losses and community decline. Robbie urged the council to reconsider the implications of such a facility, questioning the plans and the overall benefit to the community.

The meeting also included procedural elements, such as the roll call of councilors and the approval of previous meeting minutes. The councilors present included David Cormier, Pauline Cormier, and others, all marking their attendance.

As the meeting progressed, the chairwoman reminded attendees of the meeting's structure, including the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, which had been overlooked at the start. This moment underscored the importance of community values and traditions amidst the discussions of new developments.

The council's next steps remain unclear, but the strong community feedback indicates a need for further dialogue and consideration of the proposed projects' impacts on Leominster's residents.