Speaking out against proposed housing facility

WATERFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- Residents in a Waterford neighborhood are speaking out against a proposed housing facility for folks undergoing substance abuse treatment.

No one in the Waterford neighborhood wants to see the former nursing home remain empty, but what many don't want to see even more is a residential facility for those undergoing substance abuse treatment open up in its place.

"I feel bad, but it doesn't belong in a residential neighborhood," said John Elias, of Waterford.

Elias was among more than a hundred people who packed a Zoning Board of Appeals public hearing Thursday night on the proposed 77 bed facility, which would house men participating in Stonington Institute's substance abuse program. The building has been vacant for two years now.

"They want to consolidate and put them in one place, well it's not our problem," Elias said. "It's going to lower how much our houses are worth."

Another neighbor who did not want to be identified says he used to live near another treatment center where a client repeatedly walked away.

"He learned not to break into houses, he'd break into cars," the neighbor said.

"It just it makes you nervous knowing they're that close to our house and having the small kids like we do," said Waterford resident Stan Smith.

Neighbors also point out the facility is near a church and school.

News 8 is told there were two people from the public who did speak in favor of the plan. Two former clients of Stonington Institute who now work for the organization. They wanted to show the crowd the faces of addiction and that there is life after it.

Staff at the facility would make rounds every 30 minutes with lights out at 11.

"Oh I"m not, I'm not worried about it," said Donna Barr, of Waterford. "It would be fine."

The hearing was continued until next month.