Wilmington Official Who Would Decide Fate Of Detox Center Calls Drug Addicted 'Junkies'

WILMINGTON, MA -- A member of the Wilmington Zoning Board of Appeals -- the body that would decide whether a drug addiction treatment facility gets built at 362 Middlesex Avenue -- referred to people who are addicted to drugs as "junkies" on his personal Facebook page. While Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman Daniel Veerman's comment was not made in reference to the controversial proposal, it did call into question his ability to rule objectively on the plan to build a 48-bed detox facility.

The Lowell Sun reported this weekend that an unnamed Wilmington resident had sent screenshots of Veerman's comments to the newspaper and hoped that he would abstain from any votes on the proposal. While no formal plan has been submitted yet, the ultimate decision on whether or not construction can proceed with the project lies with the ZBA.

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Veerman was not immediately available for comment. He told the Sun that while the resident was entitled to his or her opinion that the term "junkie" is offensive, it was unfair of the newspaper to allow him to be attack anonymously. "I have no opinion on the detox center because it hasn't been presented to the Board of Appeals," Veerman said. "With regard to my private, personal Facebook post, I have no comment. It has nothing to do with the (detox center) application."

Veerman is an attorney with the Boston-based law firm of Cohn & Dussi LLC, where he specializes in civil litigation. According to the firm's Website, his area of expertise include business disputes, construction law, probate and estates, commercial collections, personal injury, real estate and land use.

The proposal to build a 48-bed detox center has divided Wilmington residents. On one side are residents who argue that the center is needed in Wilmington, which, like dozens of other Massachusetts towns, is facing an opioid epidemic. Wilmington Police have responded to 40 reported overdoses so far this year. On the other are North Wilmington residents who live near the lot and have raised concerns about the quality of live and the impact on property values, as well as questions about the proposal's backers.

Last week one of the lead backers of the project, Paul Kneeland, sent a letter to selectmen saying the development group was considering other sites for the center. He did not specify whether or not those sites were in Wilmington. The selectmen also received correspondence from the town solicitor, who said as described, the center is allowable at the 362 Middlesex Avenue under current zoning rules.

More on this story:

• Wilmington Detox Facility Backers Considering Other Sites For Controversial Proposal (10/10/2017)
• Residents Start Petition Opposing Wilmington Detox Facility Proposal (10/5/2017)
• Who Are The Other Partners Behind The Wilmington Detox Center Proposal? (10/4/2017)
• Lead Backer Pulls Out Of Group That Wants To Build Wilmington Drug Addiction Treatment Facility (9/27/2017)
• More Questions, Concerns Raised About Wilmington Detox Facility Backer, Proposal (9/27/2017)

That ruling prompted Selectman Michael McCoy to say he was working on bylaw changes that would specifically prohibit such facilities from being located in residential neighborhoods. McCoy said he wants to call a special town meeting to consider his proposal, which would cost the town about $7,500.

McCoy needs to get 200 certified signatures to force selectmen to call a special town meeting. At any special town meeting he would need a two-thirds majority vote to get his zoning bylaw changes adopted.

For more on this story, see the Lowell Sun.

Patch file photo by Cohn & Dussi LLC.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).