BREWER – Brewer City Council members voiced their support of the local referendum to allow slot machines in the city at Tuesday’s council meeting.

Council members also passed a resolve in support of state referendum Question 1A, the School Finance and Tax Reform Act.

“It’s high time that the state paid their share,” Councilor Mike Celli said.

A public hearing was held at the meeting to discuss the local referendum question that will appear on the Nov. 4 ballot to allow slot machines at a commercial harness-racing track that may be located in the city.

Capital Seven operations director Hoolae Paoa spoke to the council and answered questions regarding the proposed $30 million facility on Outer Wilson Street. Brewer has been chosen as an alternative site for the track if a deal is not made with Bangor.

The newest development in discussions between Brewer and Capital Seven officials came Tuesday when a revenue-sharing agreement was made between the two, pending council approval. The agreement is similar to that which was made between Bangor and Capital Seven.

“This project, I think, will benefit the region, be it Bangor or Brewer,” Paoa said. Brewer Director of Economic Development Drew Sachs echoed those sentiments, saying the proposed Brewer location is ideal for this kind of development and will bring much-needed revenue and an estimated 500 new jobs to the region.

The referendum ballot explains that a statewide question on slot machines must be approved in order for local approval of slot machines to have any effect.

Capital Seven has issued a letter of intent, which unlike a contract is not legally binding, to the city of Bangor. An Oct. 31 deadline has been set to reach a final agreement with Bangor. If this is not met, other options will be considered more closely. It is anticipated that Bangor will approve the financial terms of the agreement at tonight’s council meeting.

“It just depends on what kind of operation they want to build,” Sachs said after the meeting Tuesday. There are fewer constraints with the Brewer location, but Bangor is the site of the historic track.

Although the sentiments of Bangor officials may not be the same, Brewer leaders just want to see the racino come to the region.

“The long and the short of it, I guess from our perspective, is that this is a good project – be it Bangor or Brewer,” Sachs said.