Hi one and all,

Just a heads up for those who do not already know about it,there is a proposal to locate a narcotics-detoxification clinic off Stedman Street near the Chelmsford town line Habit OpCo, which has operated a methadone clinic on Hall Street near downtown since 2006, wants to move when its lease ends in September.

The facility searched locations throughout Lowell and found a vacant office building on Olde Canal Drive "most suitable," according to its ZBA application.

Habit OpCo serves 500 or more patients on its busiest days, nearly 90 percent of which are Lowell residents, according to the application. The facility opens each day at 6 a.m., and closes at 2 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. on weekends.

At Monday night's (5/13) Board of Selectmen meeting this topic came up. Selectman Janet Askenburg has spoken with State Rep Tom Golden (who represents Lowell and parts of Chelmsford including the Westlands) about the matter. Although it will be located on the Lowell side of Steadman street, Selectman Askenburg believes it is Chelmsford's problem because it is "frighteningly close" to the Chelmsford town line with nearby residential homes,condos and apartments and about 1 mile from the Westlands School (which is now used for a pre-school among other things)She went on to say it is not on the public transportation route and the nearest bus stop is a 1/2 mile away. So we are talking about the possibility of heavy foot traffic and high automobile traffic.

Selectmen Jim Lane stated that this is "extremely concerning", although the property sits in Lowellthe traffic will impact an area of Chelmsford that is already dealing with high traffic volumes (Steadman St/ Sunset /Subway Ave/ Golden Cove)

The Board of Selectmen intend to write a letter of protest and also attend the public hearing on May 30th

Here is a link to the BOS meeting

http://vp.telvue.com/preview?id=T01497&video=153708Meth talk starts at 81:20 minute mark

After the 5/13 BOS meeting I was asked by a selectman, "Why haven't I heard anything about this from folks in the Westlands?"

I replied "Two reasons, either this news is no big deal and doesn't bother them or they have no clue this is happening."

So folks that's where I come in, your friendly neighborhood Spiderm errr Town Crier spreading the word ;)

If anyone has concerns let me know and I'll forward them to the Board of Selectmenor you can send your comments to them directly if you want too.

The site plan can be found at this link http://www.slideshare.net/re007hq/steadman-street-methadone-clinic-site-plan-3-282013so you can see, it is right at the town line.

Also you can find more info concerning the methadone clinic at this link http://www.lowellma.gov/depts/dpd/permitting/zoning/development-project-information/22-olde-canal-drive/Supporting%20Documents.pdf   Also a story from today on the Chelmsford Patch can be found at this link  http://chelmsford.patch.com/articles/selectmen-united-in-opposition-to-proposed-lowell-methadone-clinic

Thanks for reading,Roy

-- Roy Earley184 Chelmsford StreetChelmsford,Ma 01824Town Meeting Representative:Precinct 6Westlands WatchdogsChelmsford's In-Town ReportChelmsford Open Space Steward