Emotional Hearing On Newport Academy Proposal Draws Large Crowd

FAIRFIELD, CT — A recent state hearing on a controversial proposal in Fairfield was not about zoning — the officer overseeing the forum made that clear. But despite her repeated objections, a zoning dispute involving the project came up again and again during the crowded five-hour hearing.

The certificate of need hearing was held Wednesday at Fairfield University as the state's Office of Health Strategy considers a proposal for Newport Academy to open two residential mental health facilities for young adults in the Greenfield Hill neighborhood. The plan has elicited outcry from neighbors, who are going to court over Zoning Board of Appeals decisions that upheld permits for the project. Wednesday's state hearing drew what appeared to be more than 200 people, who filled chairs and overflowed along the back wall of the university's conference center dining room.

"This hearing is not about zoning," hearing officer Micheala Mitchell cautioned the crowd at the outset of the forum.

The purpose of the hearing was to help the state assess the project's relationship to the statewide health facilities and services plan, determine if there is public need for the project, and gauge how the facility will improve quality, accessibility and cost effectiveness of care, according to the agenda.

First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick said she was willing to work with for-profit Newport Academy to find a location in a commercial zone, rather than a residential neighborhood.

State Sen. Tony Hwang, R-District 28, argued Newport Academy's application was made using a false premise of protection under state law Section 8-3e and that the healthcare provider's proposal should not be classified as a group home. Hwang has cosponsored a bill that would prevent facilities required to obtain a certificate of need from being considered "community residences" under 8-3e.

"A premise of an application based on a false premise has no foundation at all," Hwang said, to enthusiastic applause.

Mitchell repeatedly interjected, asking Hwang to stick to the criteria of the hearing.

"This is not a zoning hearing. It's not, and you're making it something it's not," she said.

Hwang replied that he felt the project was based "on a house of cards."

The locations of the proposal are 3236 Congress St. and 2495 Redding Road. The properties were purchased about a year ago for a combined $5.45 million, make up more than 13 acres of land and include wetlands. Newport Academy intends to establish a six-bed, gender-specific facility in each house for adults ages 18 to 26 seeking treatment for primary diagnoses such as depressive or anxiety disorders and secondary issues like eating or substance use disorders.

Newport Academy CEO Joe Procopio told state officials that the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services considers young adults a population of concern for whom residential services are lacking. He said Newport Academy, which has facilities in Bethlehem and Darien, accepts insurance and also provides uncompensated care, as well as an annual $100,000 scholarship fund.

"The need is real, the need is growing, and it cuts across all socioeconomic statuses," Procopio said.

State officials noted Newport Academy is not an in-network care provider for insurance, and that the organization is not eligible for Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services grants or Medicaid.

During public comment, some said Newport Academy's willingness to accept insurance at all sets it apart from other mental health care providers. Others offered personal stories about how the organization has helped them.

Courtney Levi detailed her teenage daughter's struggles with alcohol abuse and the progress she's made since being treated through Newport Academy.

"We would not be in the wonderful place we are today without their support," she said.

Ally Kernan, a graduate of Fairfield Warde High School, told her story of heroin addiction, homelessness and incarceration. Kernan, who is now a college graduate and counselor, said neighbors are creating a barrier for Newport Academy.

"Let's make it possible for the next Ally to find healing right in our backyard," she said.

Equally vocal were the community members opposing Newport Academy. Greenfield Hill residents have raised tens of thousands of dollars to fund their opposition effort and founded a nonprofit called Neighbors for Neighborhood Preservation Inc.

Meghan McCloat, the group's president, said the nonprofit requested and was denied intervener status on the Newport Academy proposal. She said Newport Academy will drive up health care costs and is unnecessary, with ample treatment centers already available for those who can afford the high cost.

The daily rate for treatment at Newport Academy facilities is about $1,100, according to Procopio, although he said 97 percent of cases were reimbursed by insurance in the past year.

McCloat was not the only person to complain that Newport Academy was targeting affluent patients, while ignoring those with the greatest need.

"Probably 99 percent of the population in Connecticut cannot afford this," said Linda Cronin. "... This is for the 1 percenters."

Newport Academy took issue with some of the comments made during the hearing, which began at 1 p.m. and ended around 6 p.m.

"I think we've heard a lot of comments that were raised on speculation," said attorney Kim Rinehart, who represented the healthcare organization.

The state record on Newport Academy's certificate of need application will remain open through Wednesday. After that, state officials will have up to 60 days to make a decision, according to spokesman Steven Lazarus.