Minutes of December 9, 2008

General Meeting

Present: Karen Nady, President; Don Terry, Treasurer; Diane Roberson-Hill, Secretary; Cathy Barnette, Governmental Affairs; Louie Nady, Treasurer,Lon Johnston, Utility

Advisory Board: Glenn Robinson

Absent: Kelly Hughes, Membership

Karen called the meeting to order. She stated that Old Towne Daphne had agreed to host tonight’s meeting in order to provide a forum for citizens to address their concerns regarding Townsend Recovery Center, a substance abuse program for opiate addicts, being allowed to operate at the Mercy Medical facility on Villa Drive.

Karen introduced Christopher Hill, who is a resident of Old Towne Daphne. Christopher presented a fact sheet stating specifically the concerns of members of the community who have organized in an effort to bring this issue to the City’s attention. He asked for any comments and concerns from the floor.

Lon gave a history of the special variance granted to Mercy Medical in 1997. The 1997 variance was for expansion to Mercy Medical and approved a two story administration building and additional parking. The resident in the surrounding area were not notified in advance of Mercy Medical breaking ground on that project. Old Towne Daphne was actually formed at this time as a way of addressing future growth in Daphne and to assure that public input was obtained in advance of expansions at Mercy Medical. Mercy Medical is a non-profit organization with a specific mission. An agreement was eventually reached that satisfied the community. Mercy Medical made commitments at that time that they would not increase their patient population and that the additional building was for administration only.  Lon further stated that Townsend is a for-profit organization. It was decided by the City that Townsend did not need to go before the Council. Lon raised the question about the legality of granting a business license to Townsend without benefit of review by the BZA.

Cathy explained the process for gaining approval of a business license. She stated that she had questions as well about whether Townsend could be approved for a business license when it operates at a non-profit facility and whether they represented themselves as part of Mercy Medical when they applied for their business license.

Numerous members of the community expressed their dismay and surprise that a program of this type could be allowed to operate in an R-1 zoned area without notification to the neighboring residents and without regard to the safety of the children attending surrounding schools, day care facilities and parks. It was also felt by some residents that Mercy Medical railroads plans through before asking for input from the community. Another resident reported that one morning while out for a run, she was followed by two men in a car leaving the facility at Mercy Medical. She said that she and her family moved here because it was known to be an area where she and her children would be safe.  She expressed concern about the safety of all the children attending schools in this area if such a program is allowed to operate.

Diane stated that there are many good people who enter treatment programs for addiction and that Daphne should support programs of this type. She also felt that an alternative location would be more appropriate. Karen suggested that Daphne could possibly help Townsend find another more suitable site.

The primary issues seemed to be: 1) Townsend’s business license seemed to imply that they are part of Mercy Medical. To our knowledge Townsend is actually a separate entity treating opiate addicts using Suboxone, a methadone replacement drug designed to help reduce cravings. 3) The citizens of Old Towne were never notified that the program was there and that their business license was not reviewed by the BZA. 3) That the concerned citizens be able to ask that the City revoke, or at least, not renew Townsend’s business license at the Mercy Medical facility.

Christopher asked that everyone attend the Council meeting on December 13 as a show of support for the citizen’s concerns. He and Lon hope to speak at the Council meeting. Christopher also stated that he would be putting together another flyer and asked for help distributing it to as many residents of Daphne as possible. Given

Townsends close proximity to so many schools, parks and daycare facilities, as well as, our large population of elderly residents; this is seen as an issue that impacts the entire city.  

The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted

Diane Roberson-Hill