A methadone clinic at 439 Boston Post Road in an area of residential homes, small businesses, and restaurants will lower home values and hurt business owners. Other towns tried that and were forced to relocate their clinics. No one wants to deny access to care for those in need of treatment. Unfortunately, addiction creates desperation, and desperation leads to crime. There's no mention of increasing police, fire, or ambulance service nor of the costs of these additional services. Taxpayers should have been included in First Selectman Matt Hoey and APT Foundation CEO Lynn Madden’s plans to open a clinic in Guilford. In doing so, a more suitable industrial location could have been chosen, and the townspeople would have had input as to the safest way to pursue this endeavor.

It is unfortunate that Guilford’s First Selectman lost sight of this responsibility to protect the health, safety and security of the townspeople. Madden has no allegiance to Guilford, and her request to Matt Hoey to keep this plan confidential should never have been granted. Elected town officials and town board members conspired with her in concealing their plans for the clinic. The exchange and tone of their emails confirm their collusion to leave residents in the dark.

It is obvious that Hoey was derelict in his responsibility to ensure that the needs of the citizenry were met with fiscal responsibility and informed participation as outlined in Town of Guilford CT Charter. Hoey should resign his position immediately. Planning and Zoning should re-evaluate PRB-3 zoning in regard to its wordage of allowing a medical/dental facility. And, the voice of the people should always be heard.

Connie Baglio

Guilford