The Patriots "won two decisive victories yesterday"
pertaining to their proposed $275M stadium, as the Foxboro
Planning Board "unanimously recommended that voters approve
zoning changes needed to build it and selectmen signaled
support for a new lease," according to Meg Vaillancourt of
the BOSTON GLOBE. Although the decision "is nonbinding, it
is seen as a big victory for the Patriots, who have been
battling opponents for six months." In another "victory,"
the Foxboro selectmen supported a "new-and-improved lease"
offered by the team which allows the town to "gain about"
$2M a year from the franchise. The stadium bill now will be
decided by Foxboro voters in a December 6 Town Meeting, and
stadium opponents "said they will continue trying to
persuade neighbors to reject the Patriots plan." According
to sources, Patriots' polling suggests "support for the
stadium among voters is better than 4-1. However, only a
few hundred of the town's 10,000 registered voters regularly
attend Town Meeting, so both sides agree that turnout will
be key in deciding which side wins" (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/17).
