Citizens should be alerted to group homes

To the editor:

On March 10, the Portsmouth Town Council took up an agenda item requested by Councilman Peter McIntyre. The item was a proposal that would be a modification of the zoning ordinance that would allow citizens whose property abuts a proposed new group home to receive notification. Middletown recently adapted the same modification after receiving full approval from their town solicitor.

Since most residents are totally unaware when the agency providing the group homes is preparing to purchase a home that will abut their property, this change would be a really important step in allowing property owners to address and resolve their concerns through the zoning process. One would think this would not be a difficult motion to adopt, but Mr. Katzman quickly announced he could not support such a modification as it could possibly affect the mentally handicapped and disabled. Councilmen Seveney and West had similar concerns.

Portsmouth through the years has made an enormous contribution to the group home need, the latest being the Boys Town Complex. Having the town notified of further group home placement is good for the town as well as the abutters to the property. Open discussions are an opportunity for mutual understanding and resolutions to any differences. I would also like to see a town committee person appointed to be a liaison to the occupants of the group homes and visit all of them periodically to insure that living conditions are what was promised.

The issue will be brought up again on Monday, March 24, and the public is welcome to speak out.

Kathy Melvin

Portsmouth

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