Resident Calls for Town Council Action on Sober Homes

WEYMOUTH, MA — A Riverbank Road resident is asking the Weymouth Town Council to do more when it comes to sober homes around town.

Cathy Torrey told the council last week that a sober home opened up in a single family home on her street back in May. She told the committee that the home is not required to notify the town of their status because addition is covered in the 1993 Americans With Disabilities Act.

“The consequences of sober homes in neighborhoods are not well thought out. There are minimum requirements and the requirements only apply if they want to be certified,” she said, adding that there are no medical or educational requirements.

A sober home is a home for people who are recovering from addiction.

She said that some in the neighborhood, including herself, have contacted the Department of Public Health to no avail.

Councilor Rebecca Haugh, who represents the district with Riverbank Road, said Torrey brought up the home about four or five months ago.

“Since that time I’ve had others reach out to me for similar situation in their neighborhoods. I would like to see this furthered explored by the Town Council,” Haugh said.

Cheryl Kennedy-Perez, director of housing and homeless for M.A.S.H told the Weymouth News that there is a certification process for sober homes and operators are encouraged to reach out to neighbors and local officials.

The issue was referred to the Committee on Public Safety.