John Hamilton, the CEO of Recovery Network of Programs, stood in the lobby of 158 Main St. last week and detailed his plans to bring a methadone clinic to the downtown office building.
Hamilton envisions treating about 285 Valley residents who are recovering from addictions to heroin and prescription pills at a clinic on the first floor of the building.
But while Hamilton spreads the word about the company’s planned expansion to Ansonia, the owner of the building said he hasn’t heard from Recovery Network of Programs since 2010.
Tonino Mavuli, the building’s landlord, said he has even leased out some of the space Hamilton planned to use.
The different stories are the latest wrinkle in Recovery Network of Programs’ plans to open a clinic in Ansonia.
Illegal Wording
Hamilton has had trouble moving his plans forward since he first proposed them in 2010.
Recovery Network of Programs had a lease prepared for the entire first floor of the building at 158 Main St.
But city officials pointed out a phrase in their zoning codes that forbid all “clinics for the insane, alcoholics and drug addicts.”
So Recovery Network of Programs complained to the United States Department of Justice about the language in the city’s zoning rules, saying it violated the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act.
The feds agreed, and in March 2012, the Ansonia Board of Aldermen signed a settlement with the Department of Justice that saw the wording removed from the zoning codes.
So It’s Allowed
The settlement, without issuing any penalties, said Ansonia “shall not retaliate against Recovery Network of Programs” as a result of the complaint.
After the settlement was approved, Hamilton began planning again to come to Ansonia.
Last week, Hamilton said he plans to sign a lease soon, and apply for city approval to renovate the remaining space on the first floor of the office building.
Assuming all applications go smoothly, Hamilton said the clinic could open at 158 Main St. in August or September.
“We’ll create offices for counseling, stations for medication, group rooms,” Hamilton said.
The clinic gives medication — including methadone and Suboxone — six days a week to its clients.
The office also offers counseling services, as well as HIV and STD testing.
“We believe in treating people with dignity and respect,” Hamilton said. “We believe they deserve treatment in their community.”
Calls and e-mails sent to Hamilton after an interview with Mavuli were not returned Friday and Tuesday.
Word Gets Around
Although Hamilton has not signed a lease yet, or sent any formal application to the city, his plans for the building have been circulation among downtown vendors — some who say they are not happy to be calling a drug clinic a neighbor.
The city has been trying to attract new businesses. In the last few years, popular restaurants like Crave and The Original Antonio’s have opened to large crowds.
Lanza’s, another restaurant, is on East Main Street. A new coffee shop and a cigar shop opened on Main Street as well.
The drug clinic doesn’t fit in well, merchants said.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea to have it downtown on Main Street, with people walking with their children,” said Chris Reyher of Lewis Jewelers. She says that her business has had problems in the past with people loitering near the store.
Being closer to Griffin Hospital in Derby would be more appropriate for the clinic, some said.
“They could have found another spot,” said resident Rob Librandi, who recently moved to Ansonia.
Librandi said the main focus for the city should be the revitalization of buildings downtown, and he believes the clinic is opening in the wrong place.
Across the street at Seccombe’s Men’s Shop, similar opinions were shared.
“I understand they have a right, it’s just unfortunate they are going to be on Main Street,” said Gregg Seccombe, who owns the venerable men’s shop with his father.
Seccombe remains on the fence about the issue, agreeing that there is a need for the clinic, but questions its busy location in the heart of downtown Ansonia.
“I don’t want this to be a roadblock,” he said. “I don’t want it to scare away future tenants.”
Meanwhile, Vinnie Scarlata, chairman of the Ansonia Economic Development Commission, said he couldn’t judge the clinic without knowing what they do and how they’ll do it.
A message seeking comment was left with Mayor James Della Volpe.
A Need
Hamilton said the clinic is needed in Ansonia because of the high number of clients from the Valley that travel to Stratford and Bridgeport each day for treatment. The location is perfect for those using public transportation. It is right next to the train station and bus stops.
He also points to a 2010 study on drug and alcohol dependence in Connecticut, which tracked opioid-related drug overdose rates in each town.
The study, conducted by Traci Green, Lauretta Grau, H. Wayne Carver, Mark Kinzly and Robert Heimer, found that Seymour and Ansonia had overdose rates of more than 100 overdoses per 100,000 people.
Seymour, Oxford, Shelton and Derby fell in the second-highest category, with overdose rates between 50 and 100 per 100,000 people.
“Preventing heroin overdose deaths will require more active involvement of suburban communities in substance abuse prevention, addiction treatment, overdose training and response efforts, and increasing awareness of overdose potential,” the authors stated.
Hamilton said the new clinic would create 30 new jobs.
Past Stories
Drug Clinic Eyes Ansonia’s Main Street
Drug Clinic Won’t Open In Ansonia
Feds, Ansonia Reach Agreement Over Discriminatory Zoning Rule
Drug Clinic Eyes Ansonia — Again
Editor’s note: The Valley Independent Sentinel offices are also located at 158 Main St.
I am a business owner on Main Street. Isn’t it time we open our eyes to the fact that new business is needed downtown….not more social services, not churches, not social clubs. Business creates jobs, tax revenue, and a more prosperous city. Many people turn to substance abuse because they don’t have a sense of purpose and are frustrated over being jobless. Granted, this program is needed. There are so many souls who need a hand up.. But not downtown. Do you honestly think our customers who are discovering the excellence of our relatively new restaurant and entertainment district won’t bat an eye about going else where when they think about passing RNP’s clients on the street. It’s all about perception. We (the merchants of Ansonia’s Downtown) have been working long and hard to turn around the perception our our downtown business district. Our EDC is trying to bring in a college campus. That plan will never stand a chance with such a program across the street. Citizens and Business owners of Ansonia, It is time to re-claim your downtown. Do you want more funding for your schools? More Jobs? Less Taxes? Help bring in business to downtown, not more social programs. A good job is one of the best tools to help those who need a hand up.
I thought we were trying to improve downtown. If you want to ruin the downtown area and start losing tenants this would be the way to go. Move this to Shelton that has more area than a small city like Ansonia. I work for a commercial real estate owner and in most leases they would need the landlords permission. In addition there may be some stipulations if the landlord owns other property in the area that they cannot rent to such a place witin a certain area. I was happy to see business coming in to downtown but now I think we will just go back.