Hearing June 10 on teen treatment center

KENT — A proposal has been made to build a residential treatment center for children with substance abuse issues. The center would be built in the former Old Chestnut Inn on the Kent-to-Cornwall Road.

The Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a hearing to determine if the project should proceed. The hearing will be held Thursday, June 10, at 7 p.m.

The board is considering a special permit application made by the Midwestern Connecticut Council on Alcoholism to turn the former inn into an 11-bed treatment center for children ages 13 to 16.

The commission held its first hearing on the permit application on Thursday, May 13, and decided to continue the hearing.

According to Council Chairman John Johnson, the council intends to buy the former inn property from its current owner, Dr. Richard Erskine.

“The special use permit we’ve applied for is a permit usually allowed for hospitals, nursing homes, convalescent homes and schools in order for them to operate,†Johnson said. “With the special use permit, we would be able to bring the treatment center into a conforming use.â€

Johnson said 20 staff members would be employed at the center and at least two staff members would be on the premises at all times.

However, a security gate or fence will not be built on the premises.

“I don’t think it’s needed,†Johnson said. “Building either of those would change the nature of what we do. This will not be a locked care facility.â€

According to the council’s Web site at mccaonline.com, the council, which was founded in 1973, operates three treatment facilities throughout the state, including Trinity Glen in Sharon.

They also operate five treatment centers with substance abuse programs.

“Drugs and children are everywhere. Our job is to pick up the pieces,†Johnson said. “We don’t have any locked doors on any of our facilities. We just run our programs in such a way that we don’t have issues.â€

However, Kent resident Melissa Markis, who lives 75 feet away from the inn, said she has concerns.

“I am not in favor of it,†Markis said. “I have two teenaged boys. I don’t think this is the right facility for this area. We live in a residential area and there are a lot of children here.â€

Markis said her neighbors are also concerned about the proposed facility.

“I can’t speak for all of them, but the impression I get is that a good majority are opposed to it,†Markis said. “The facility would increase car traffic. Plus, I’m concerned that it would decrease property values.â€

Johnson said that some of the concerns he has heard are based on “myths and misconceptions.â€

“I don’t want to offend anyone, but decisions are not based on myths and irrational fears,†Johnson said. “We did research in 2007 about the impact our facilities have on property values and a licensed appraiser determined that they had no impact on them. I think when it comes to assuring residents around our locations, wherever we are located, my response is that our council has a history of excellence.â€

Current owner Erskine did not return calls or e-mails asking for comment. His Web site at integrativetherapy.com lists the inn as the location and training center for his company, the Institute for Integrative Psychotherapy.

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