Cardinal McCloskey Services Talks To The Ossining Town Board About A Possible Group Home

Representatives from Cardinal McCloskey Services gave a presentation to the Ossining Town Board during their regular meeting last night on the possibility of having a small Community Residence or Group Home for 4 young adults at 4 Locust Road in Ossining.

The presentation, given by Beth Finnerty President and CEO of Cardinal McCloskey Services and Cathy Varano Vice President of Residential Services, talked about the purchasing of the house on Locust Street for four young adults who live with Autism. There will be 2 men and 2 women who will be finishing school, working a job and enjoying all that the Ossining community has to offer.

“One of the young women is finishing her last year of school,” said Cathy Varano, Vice President of Residential Services. “The other three will attend a job or a day rehab program in Valhalla. We fully feel there is a part time job out there for everyone. The four all live with Autism. They need supervision 24 hours a day and they will not be alone. They will do grocery shopping, going to church or synagogues of their choice and participating in what the community offers.”

The property in question is big enough to house all of them and the driveway is large enough to accommodate 4 cars with 2 more being able to fit in the garage. In addition to the four young residents, there will also be staff, a part time nurse and psychologist and a supervisor who will come and go, but ultimately it will be the residents’ home.

“We [Cardinal McCloskey Services] have a number of homes in Westchester [seven] but they are home first and foremost and they live there until they pass away,” said Beth Finnerty President and CEO of Cardinal McCloskey Services. “We are in the business of creating homes for people who need them. The character and nature of the house will not change unless there is a repair needed.”

John and Michele Lawton’s son is one of the young men who would be living in the home if the petition is approved.

“My son has been a resident of Ossining since he was a young child,” said John Lawton. “I see no reason why my son who has Autism can’t be allowed to live in the town he grew up in. He is deserving of a home and I’m very confident that the house will be run well.”

Not every Ossining resident was happy about the prospect of another group home coming into the area.

“I object to having a group home being built so close to me,” said Linda an Ossining resident. “There is a lot of support staff and they will be coming and going all day. We have a really quiet street and I’m worried about it changing the character of the neighborhood. It’s an institution.”

According to the Town Supervisor Catherine Borgia there are already 3 group homes in the Town Outside and 5 in the Village of Ossining, a fact that had one resident upset.

“You are putting all of these homes in our little neighborhood,” said Dennis, a resident who would be living near the home. “I think there is a law on the books about having them [group homes] too close. You are directly changing the character of this neighborhood. You can’t have them every other house.”

Regardless, the issue is still up for discussion and the Town Board will reach a decision next week at their work session.

“We don’t have a plan yet,” said Town Supervisor Catherine Borgia. “This is our info gathering.”

The Town Board received a proposal from Cardinal McCloskey Services on July 1st. They then have 40 days to do one of three things: agree to the proposal, reject the proposal or offer an alternative suggestion. After the Town Board submits their verdict it will be up to the state to make the final decision.

“This is going to be a home for people,” said Councilman Michael Tawil. “No different if a very large family moved in…have an open mind and an open heart.”