Methadone clinic hearing continued after ownership questioned
Published: June 23, 2009
Font size: [A] [A] [A]
e-mail this
share thisDUNMORE - A motion by borough council to deny an application for a proposed methadone clinic at Keystone Industrial Park failed Monday night, following a two-hour hearing that was dogged by confusion about ownership of the affected property.
The hearing was continued, and a resumption date was not set.
The motion to deny the application from Boston-based Habitat OPCO was spurred by questions about ownership of the property, where the health care organization wants to place the clinic.
Noting documents provided by attorney and resident Mark Conway showed the property's owner to be Scranton Foods Inc., and not John Delvecchio, Councilman Gerry Hart motioned for the application to be turned down.
The subsequent vote ended in a 3-3 tie, with Mr. Hart, Michael Cummings and Paul Nardozzi voting for the motion. Sal Verrastro, Timothy Burke and Melanie Naro against the motion. Councilman Thomas Hennigan was not present.
Noting he wanted to give residents an opportunity to voice their opinion about the proposed clinic, Mayor Patrick Loughney voted against the motion.
Mr. Delvecchio had been present, but left before the issue of ownership was brought up.
With officials unable to locate Mr. Delvecchio, the hearing was continued, according to solicitor Thomas Cummings.
The motion capped a two-hour hearing that was attended by about 100 people. Residents did not have an opportunity to testify.
Habitat OPCO hopes to build the clinic at 116-120 Monahan Ave.
Initially, 105 patients would be treated, according to Debby Schmidt, Habitat OPCO business development director.
Eventually, the health care organization believes 250 people will be treated at the clinic.
"The treatment is a change in behavior," and not just providing methadone, Ms. Schmidt added. "The closer a person lives to treatment, the more likely that person will be successful."
Ms. Schmidt said a clinic is urgently needed in the area.
Mr. Hart, Mr. Nardozzi and Mr. Loughney asked questions about the effectiveness of treatment at a methadone clinic.
Mr. Loughney also suggested that the company attempt to partner with a facility already equipped to provide methadone treatment.
Tom Jimmie, owner of Datom Products Inc., 113 Monahan Ave. in the industrial park, told The Times-Tribune he is worried people who are not successful at treatment will relapse and choose to live in Dunmore.
"And I've collected just under 500 signatures in six days," Mr. Jimmie said, referring to a petition against the proposed clinic.
Contact the writer: jmrozinski@timesshamrock.com
62 posted comments
Would YOU want to move into an area where there is so much negative reaction to you ? There is a huge income potential for both the building owner and the investors of the clinic, NOT THE PROPERTY OWNERS/TAXPAYERS.
Would YOU want to move into an area where there is so much negative reaction to you ? There is a huge income potential for both the building owner and the investors of the clinic, NOT THE PROPERTY OWNERS/TAXPAYERS.
O_R_G_A_N_I_Z_E Y_O_U_R_S_E_L_V_E_S !!!!!
The place for this facility would be a rural area on a Transit Athority route.
Maybe in the Abingtons... where there are busses and there are less population to upset.
The post back a few spots mentioned a facility for cig.s, alcohol and gambling... This person is thinking clearly and I second that motion.Every Dunmorian concerned about this should go to the meeting, call thier council members, thier Mayor, (Nibs we love you )talk to their neighbors, and maybe even call Mr. Delvechio...Where does HE live... I doubt HE would want this near HIS home.