Zoning Board of Appeals ‘very close’ on detox decision

By Jay Turner

Encouraged by the ongoing dialogue between developer and neighbors, the Canton Zoning Board of Appeals has moved closer to a decision on a proposed substance abuse treatment facility at the site of the former Kindred-Tower Hill nursing home on Meadowbrook Way.

The applicant, Boston Properties Ventures (doing business as ARK Behavioral Health Center), is seeking a special permit to convert the nursing home facility into a 160-bed drug and alcohol treatment center in accordance with the town of Canton’s newly drafted zoning bylaws for medical uses that were approved at last year’s town meeting. The facility as proposed — which is the first to be considered under the new bylaws — would be inpatient only, consisting of both detox and residential levels of care, with half of the beds reserved for first responders, corrections officers, and former military members.

The location of the site, off Getchell Way, is unique in that it is completely cut off from the rest of the town by Route 24, requiring a three-mile drive through Randolph (via Canton Street and High Street) in order to access it. Getchell Way itself contains a mix of residences and commercial properties but lies within a larger limited industrial zone that also includes a commercial area on the opposite side of Route 24.

While initial reactions to the project ranged from skepticism to outright opposition, Suzanne Matthews, attorney for the applicant, noted at the January 23 continuation hearing that her clients have since made quite a bit of headway in addressing the neighbors’ concerns, which center on two key issues: traffic and security.

In addition to hosting an on-site meeting and leading their guests on a tour of the facility, Matthews said her clients have completed a traffic study of the area that shows the project would have a minimal impact on traffic flow. Additionally, Robert Harnais, another attorney for the applicant, indicated that they have already committed to a number of security measures, including 24-hour security staffing, new fencing, and interior and exterior surveillance cameras with live-time access provided to the Canton and Randolph police departments.

Harnais said the applicants have also agreed to install cameras on a few of the neighboring properties and will offer an optional notification service whereby neighbors can be informed when a patient is leaving the facility. He also reiterated the company’s plan to offer transportation to and from the facility for patients as well as a shuttle for staff who do not have access to a vehicle.

“So the neighborhood will not see an impact on this at all,” he said. “In fact, to be fair to the neighborhood, they’re probably going to be even more secure than they are now.”

In addition to the measures they have already agreed to, Matthews and Harnais said their clients are also looking carefully at a list of 17 conditions proposed by the town of Randolph, which is considered a legal abutter to the property.

Matthews said the majority of the conditions should not be an issue, although she said her clients will likely challenge at least one of them — namely a proposal that the facility be limited to 115 total beds for the first year of operation.

Other conditions, as relayed by Randolph Town Manager Brian Howard, include a requirement that the facility not offer any day programs, that it provide services only to individuals who have voluntarily sought treatment, and that visitors not be permitted. Howard did note that he recently visited another ARK location in Quincy and that the city officials he communicated with spoke “very highly” of the organization.

The zoning board also heard from a few of the neighbors at the January 23 meeting and most said they were pleased with the progress that has been made to date. One resident asked to have input on the specifics of the fencing and landscaping and another sought assurances that the beds earmarked for first responders would remain as such.

Another resident stated that he was neither for nor against the project but wanted the applicants to take the neighbors’ input to heart. “I want us to work together as a neighborhood. That’s all I’m asking,” he said. “If it’s going to go through it’s going to go through. That’s fine.”

ZBA member John McCourt said he was disappointed that he was not invited to the on-site meeting but he has since visited the site on his own and noted that the fencing should “definitely be addressed.” Fellow member Charles Armando inquired about the plan to transport the patients and suggested that if someone were to refuse a ride, then the facility’s security team could follow the individual until the police arrived.

ZBA Chairman Greg Pando said he needed some more time to digest the conditions proposed by Randolph and a few other issues raised at the hearing but felt that they had made some good progress and were “really close” to a decision …

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