A substance abuse clinic plans to move to Ansonia now that the city has removed discriminatory wording from its zoning laws.
Recovery Network of Programs, based in Shelton, wanted to open a drug clinic at 158 Main St. in 2010, but Ansonia zoning officials said the business was not allowed under its zoning code.
Specifically, the zoning laws prevented “clinics for the insane, alcoholics and drug addicts.”
The U.S. Department of Justice found that wording violated the Americans With Disabilities Act.
A settlement approved by the Ansonia Board of Aldermen March 13 requires the wording be removed from the zoning laws and city officials be educated about federal law.
“We feel it was the right decision,” John Hamilton, the chief executive officer of Recovery Network of Programs, said. “Obviously the bigger issue here is the discrimination against our clients, who are suffering from a chronic disease.”
The Clinic
The substance abuse clinic treats people who are addicted to opiates and heroin.
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.
Two such clinics now operate in Stratford and Bridgeport, Hamilton said.
About 285 residents of the Valley travel south to the two clinics each day for treatment, he said.
“People deserve to have community-based treatment,” Hamilton said.
Some of the Valley residents leave their homes at 5:30 a.m. to get to the Bridgeport and Stratford clinics each morning to get treatment before work, Hamilton said.
“We were coming to be the solution,” Hamilton said. “And they were looking at us as the problem. The problem already exists.”
Hamilton said he still wants to open the clinic in the office building at 158 Main St., which is already zoned for medical uses.
Hamilton said his real estate broker will reach out to the landlord to figure out details.
The landlord, Tonino Mavuli, said he hadn’t heard from Hamilton’s company as of last week.
Article continues after settlement agreement.
Settlement Agreement USA and Ansonia
City leaders said the settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice was not an admission of wrongdoing.
“This is in no way to be construed to be an admission of wrongdoing,” Board of Aldermen President Eugene Sharkey said, reading from the settlement last week.
The settlement required Ansonia drop the discriminatory wording from its zoning laws.
The phrase “clinics for the insane, alcoholics and drug addicts” has been removed from the zoning regulations, according to the settlement.
Under the five-page agreement, Ansonia must provide a copy of the settlement to all Board of Aldermen members, all Planning and Zoning Commission members, and employees in the zoning and building departments.
Any new member or employee over the next three years must also get a copy of the agreement.
The settlement also states that Ansonia “shall not retaliate against the Recovery Network of Programs” as a result of its complaint.
Past Stories
Drug Clinic Eyes Ansonia’s Main Street
Drug Clinic Won’t Open In Ansonia
Feds, Ansonia Reach Agreement Over Discriminatory Zoning Rule
Editor’s note: The Valley Independent Sentinel offices are also located at 158 Main St.
