Residents plead with ZBA to reject detox facility in Wilmington

WILMINGTON — Impassioned residents packed the Town Hall auditorium Wednesday night, just as they did the night of Valentine’s Day earlier this year. Those who couldn’t find seats, stood along the walls and lined up out the door, ready to listen and voice their opposition to the proposed detox facility in town.

The project under consideration is for a 48-bed drug and alcohol detox facility at 362 Middlesex Ave. At last December’s Special Town Meeting, a resident-driven petition article passed overwhelmingly to limit certain medical buildings, including detox facilities, to industrial zones. This proposed project on Middlesex Avenue is not impacted by that zoning bylaw change.

Ken Mayer, who will be the program’s director, addressed what the day-to-day operations of the facility would be, if approved. They expect about four daily admissions and about 24 employees at the site. Twelve beds would be dedicated to acute care, or detoxification. The remaining beds for transitional care to help patients with recovery skills and finding their next level of care.

Mayer made clear that patients would be discouraged from driving to the site and that transportation would be provided for those who don’t have access to transportation.

Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman Daniel Veerman asked if local authorities could be notified should patients leave before completing their treatment. Mayer said that is something they will consider.

“I think that’s something that would be helpful,” Veerman said.

ZBA member Raymond Lepore cited his concerns with the strain this detox facility would put on the town’s already strapped emergency services. Mayer confirmed they would have a private ambulance available to respond 24 hours a day.

There is planned to be two nurses working on site during the day, two in the evening and two at night.

As they have in the past, residents cited the need for detox facilities in town, but that the proposed location raises safety concerns. ZBA member Thomas Siracusa said residents are not so much concerned with what is going on inside the facility.

“We’re concerned about the location and the close proximity to all that’s dear to us — which is our children, which is our neighbors,” Siracusa said.

The last time this proposal was before the Board of Appeals was on Feb. 14. The hearing was postponed a number of times as the project went through the Planning Board process. With a number of conditions, the Planning Board approved the definitive subdivision plan, the site plan and the water management permit for the project last month. The Board of Health offered its approval of the proposal and the town engineer said he had no further comments on the project to be addressed.

Concerns with traffic were brought up by many. One parent spoke on the closeness of the facility to a school bus stop.

Kimberly McNeeley, an abutter to the location for the proposed detox facility, said she moved to Wilmington to start a family in a nice, quiet town. She said there is nothing harmonious about this proposed project. Shortly after she moved to town, this project was proposed.

“I love my neighborhood and I love my neighbors, but I love my family more,” McNeeley said through tears, “and I will not stay to endure all the stress and anxiety that will come along with this proposed development.”

Her husband, Shane McNeeley said there will be a mass exodus of residents leaving from the Shady Lane Drive area if should the project be approved.

MJ Byrnes, also an abutter and School Committee member, urged the ZBA to deny the request for this proposal. Byrnes said the approval of this project would disrupt the quality of life for her family, including her two special needs children.

“Please don’t hurt us by placing the project’s external problems on our backs,” she said.

Selectman Mike McCoy has openly opposed the proposed detox facility for more than a year. He said he, and the other residents, have hearts and know this is a nationwide epidemic, but the location is wrong. He said the ZBA has an obligation to protect the safety of the town’s residents.

“There’s some serious, serious safety issues out there,” McCoy said.

The ZBA did not take action on the proposal before The Sun’s print deadline for publication. As of 10:30 p.m., residents were still speaking during the public hearing.

Follow Kori Tuitt on Twitter @KoriTuitt.