CUMMINGTON — The Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously Thursday night to issue a special permit to Freedom Healthcare of America for an alcohol and drug rehabilitation treatment facility at the former Academy at Swift River at 151 South St.
“I think the hearing went very well. I think that most of the people here were in favor of the project,” ZBA member Carla Ness said. “I look forward to having them in town and I hope this works out well for everybody.”
Brent Clements, CEO and founder Freedom Healthcare of America, and Reed Shandoff, its chief operating officer, gave a brief presentation about the planned treatment center.
“The opiate epidemic it this area is a public health crisis,” Clements said. “The Northeast in general is saturated with this heroin problem and there is no place for these folks to go. We hope to provide that place.”
Doing business as Addiction Campuses, the company currently operates three treatment centers in Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas.
The facility will serve between 100 and 120 residential adult clients who will be housed in existing dormitories and have round-the-clock care. Multiple methods of care will be offered including a 12-step program, celebrate recovery, and adventure therapy.
Clements said the company will invest between $2 million in the facility, and will use all local contractors for renovations to the property and a local labor force to staff the facility.
He also noted that there are no plans for new structures or additions, though the company will be doing cosmetic improvements.
Roughly 20 residents attended the hearing, which lasted about 1 ½ hours. During that time, several people asked questions about safety issues.
“Security for us is a combination of nurses, therapists and recovery coaches that will be working closely with these folks,” Clements said. “If somebody were to take off down the road, we would be right there beside them. They won’t just be walking down the street and they won’t be able to be out on the trails alone.”
Clements also noted that the facility will transport patients to and from the campus and they will have no access to vehicles or cell phones.
“They are constantly monitored and we do drug tests to make sure that they are not using any of the substances that brought them here and that they are med-compliant,” Shandoff said.
Some residents recalled problems they experienced when the property was used as a therapeutic school.
“There were times when kids from the Swift River Academy would end up in our yard and we would call the facility and they would actually tell us that there was nobody missing,” Mark Whelihan said. “I think it is important to have a liaison to keep the lines of communication open.”
Clements agreed and said he would be interested in have a meeting with the town when the facility opens to further discus this and other issues.
“We are an open book and we want to be a good neighbor,” he said.
Others had questions about what the treatment center would charge people seeking help with addiction.
“The patients at our current three facilities pay a range of $6,000 to $30,000 per month, and the program at this facility would be a ‘mid-range’ program,” Clements said. “85 percent of our clients are covered by insurance.”
One resident asked if the business accepted Mass Health.
“We don’t have an agreement with Mass Health today, but we are open to exploring that,” Clements said.
With the special permit granted, Clements said they can now start the process of closing on the property and hope to open by Oct. 1.
“I think that it is great what you are doing and I think you have done a great job of addressing our concerns,” Lisa DeLisle said. “You will be using that beautiful property and putting people to work, I am glad you are doing this.”