The fire station and snowplowing facilities were also located there, along with the main radar center.

"The company" provided amenities unheard of in neighboring villages; such as heating coal at company cost, free snowplowing, landscaping and property maintenance.

Mr. Russo, who used to own a contracting company that also did some snowplowing, said the key in snow removal was to keep ahead of the storm, "whatever the cost."

Over at St. Mary's, a Roman Catholic church that may end up being encircled by tribal land, the Rev. Michael H. Burzynski is more concerned about who will do the snowplowing, especially since he has rented out 80 church parking spaces to the casino on weekdays.