LANCASTER TWP — Rumors of a casino coming to town brought scores of residents to the board of supervisors meeting this week where officials tried to ease concerns.

Board Chairman Joe Plesniak denied rumors that supervisors had approved plans for a casino in Lancaster, and said while they had been approached by a company that may potentially bring a casino to the township, no applications had been filed.

Many people in the audience expressed frustration that the board knew of a potential casino and did not communicate that to residents, with many asking the supervisors to take a position in the event an application does come in.

Township solicitor Philip Lope said the board was not permitted to prejudge situations without an application being filed, and Plesniak said supervisors couldn’t comment on something without having all the facts at hand.

“It’s not our job to give you opinions,” he said, emphasizing that speculation can often fuel unnecessary concern.

Others asked if the township could change the zoning to prevent a casino, and Lope said that’s something they would have to discuss.

“We’d have to make a new ordinance,” said Plesniak. “That’s something we can look into.”

Such a move could potentially open up the township to litigation, he later added, and supervisors would have to seek legal counsel before deciding on anything.

While no one has filed an application to bring a casino to the township, Lancaster is eligible to receive one. It is within a 15-mile radius of New Castle, which was named as the center point of a license bought in February by Monroe County-based Mount Airy #1 LLC. The company operates a casino in the Poconos.

Regulations developed last year by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board allowed casino operators to bid for the right to build so-called “mini casinos” in various locations throughout Pennsylvania.

Municipalities had until the end of last year to vote to opt out of allowing the facilities within their borders.

According to state regulations the company, which purchased the license in February, has six months to submit an application to the gaming board that lays out the site of the mini casino, as well as other details.

Lancaster supervisors said they were unaware that they were eligible to receive a casino and so they didn’t opt out in time.

“When we were approached, we were as surprised as anybody else,” Plesniak said.

While some in the audience became irate, requiring the police officer on duty to interject at times, many shared their concerns while voicing appreciation for the work the supervisors do and noting the difficult nature of the job.