Residents Voice Concerns Over Guilford Methadone Clinic: Report

GUILFORD, CT — Residents gathered at the Guilford Community Center last Friday for a meeting on the new methadone clinic coming to town, and many voiced opposition to the facility, according to a report from WTNH News 8.

The Guilford Planning & Zoning Commission approved plans for the clinic last month. The clinic is set to open in the coming months at 439 Boston Post Road, the former site of Play Café.

Hearst CT previously reported the APT Foundation is aiming to open the 4,093-square-foot outpatient clinic in July or August. Regular health care services will also be offered.

Resident Dave Holman told WTNH on Feb. 9 the clinic will be located 200 feet from the closest house, and 470 feet away from a daycare facility.

Another resident, Don Pritchard, told WTNH, "I just didn’t think this would be the town to do it. It’s such a quaint town."

First Selectman Matt Hoey was away and did not attend the meeting. WTNH reported that Hoey believes there's a need in town for methadone clinic services, and noted there is a misconception about people who utilize such facilities.

The APT Foundation was founded in 1970 by members of the Yale School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry and is among the oldest treatment programs in the U.S., according to the foundation's website.

There are also clinics in New Haven, West Haven and North Haven.

Read more from WTNH

The Feb. 9 meeting can also be viewed in full here.