On Oct. 30 Gov. Tom Wolf signed into law HB 271 which authorizes a number of gambling expansion opportunities in our Commonwealth. Under the law, a municipality has the option to prohibit or opt out of being considered as a site for possible gambling expansion. The municipality has the opportunity to reverse a previous decision but only once.

House Bill 271 also requires municipalities to opt in or opt out of hosting Category 4 casinos by the end of the year. Adoption of the ordinance would remove the borough from consideration of a casino.

The option led to a discussion among the council members but not a resolution.

Council member Dave Ferringer believes that exercising the option could stifle development and possibly a loss of some jobs.

Ferringer said slot machines might be placed at other truck stops along I-80 and truckers currently using the two truckstops in Brookville may choose to take heir business down the road.

Council member Karen Allgeier did not believe the possibility of a casino coming to Brookville to be “very high.”

Council members Ken King and Clarinda Darr indicated they are presently against allowing a casino to come to the borough.

“I’d still like to know more, but as of now, I’m against it,” King said.

“I’m just not sure about it,” Darr said.

“In my view gambling takes money away from utility bills, medical bills, groceries, etc. I think gambling can easily become an addiction and I really can’t see any benefit to it,” said resident Jean Hidinger.

Kutz said this is an issue that has “weighed heavily” on the council.

The council will be voting on the option at the meeting on Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. in the Borough Complex.