Fall River neighborhood group ready to fight SSTAR appeal

At stake: Fate of new drug and alcohol treatment and research facility

FALL RIVER --- The North End Neighborhood Association is getting ready for battle.

SSTAR wants to construct an $11.7 million drug and alcohol treatment and research facility on Weaver Street. But the city building inspector denied the non-profit substance abuse agency its building permit.

SSTAR will appeal the matter Thursday before the Zoning Board of Appeals. The neighborhood association is fighting that appeal.

“At the end of the day it’s not just a North End issue, it’s a city of Fall River issue,” said Antone Dias, the treasurer of the North End Neighborhood Association.

The neighborhood association sent the ZBA a 21-page document arguing against SSTAR’s appeal, including SSTAR’s assertion that its educational component exempts the agency from needing a variance from the ZBA.

SSTAR announced its plans to build the facility in November 2016. It would include 30 inpatient beds, 30 beds for detox and a clinic for outpatient treatment. The outpatient clinic would include the ability to administer anti-addiction drugs such as methadone, suboxone and Vivitrol.

SSTAR paid Weaver Cove Mill LLC $675,000 for about three acres of the property at 75 Weaver St. It’s the site of the old Border City Mill No. 3 that was destroyed by fire in February 2016.

The property is currently zoned as a commercial mill district.

SSTAR CEO Nancy Paull received notice in July from Director of Inspectional Services Glenn Hathaway that a request for a building permit was denied due to the fact that three-quarters of the proposed three-story, 43,500 facility would be for institutional use and not allowed under zoning regulations.

Dias said SSTAR’s proposed facility would be the third detox facility in the city and that his group feels that other communities should be providing treatment.

“A lot of people are indicating enough is enough and are worried about the potential for higher crime rates,” said Dias.

SSTAR is being represented by New Bedford-based attorney Philip Beauregard. Dias said if SSTAR makes the argument that the facility is educational in nature, there is an issue under state law regarding marijuana facilities.

Across from the Weaver Street property is the medical marijuana facility Hope, Heal, Health, which just received a letter of non-opposition from Mayor Jasiel Correia II for recreational marijuana.

Dias said state law requires a 500 foot buffer between an educational facility and a marijuana facility.

If the ZBA does rule in favor of SSTAR, Dias said, the neighborhood association is prepared to take the matter to Superior Court.

“We will absolutely get a judgment in our favor.”

Email Jo C. Goode at jgoode@heraldnews.com.