Board of Supervisors Recommends Mediation for Greenlea Drive Residents

 residents and the operators of a group home slated to open on Greenlea Drive soon may take part in a dialogue aimed at resolving their differences. 

The Moon Board of Supervisors last night agreed to provide mediation between Greenlea Drive residents and mental health care provider Transitional Services Inc., which plans to open a shared residence for the mentally ill on the street. 

"I think the board's feeling is that unless people are talking nothing's going to happen," said township solicitor Blaine Lucas. "The goal is to have the parties communicate." 

Citing safety concerns, residents have been vocal in their opposition to the home, which will open at 162 Greenlea Drive later this year. Transitional Services purchased the single-family home in October and plans to use it to house four men with mental illness. No live-in supervision will be provided for the home's occupants, which troubles Greenlea Drive residents.

The board voted to fund mediation sessions between the two parties at a cost not to exceed $5,000. Board Chairman Jim Vitale said the township would help the parties select a mediator. Township staff will formally contact Transitional Services and residents today about the mediation offer. 

Greenlea Drive resident Venus Thompson filed an of the occupancy permit issued to Transitional Services last month but was not successful in overturning it. She has not filed a second appeal of the permit in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas. Residents on the street, however, have hired a private investigator to look into operations and activities related to similar group homes in the state. 

Transitional Services CEO Sharon Alberts said last week that the organization has not scheduled a move-in date but is in the process of selecting roommates for the house. 

Residents at last night's meeting said they felt political alliances in the township have stymied their efforts to stop the home from opening. 

"I cannot say that they do not have a right to live in the neighborhood," said Philip Herrle, who lives across the street from the house.  "But I have a license to carry a concealed weapon. I've never felt I needed to use it before. But it will be in my belt and in open display from this point now." 

Supervisor Marv Eicher said the board cannot revoke Transitional Services' permit or delay the opening of the home. If it did so, he said, the board would be in violation of the Federal Fair Housing Act. 

"If a federal court were to find that Moon Township had broken the law, the damages are severe," he said. "You've backed me into a corner expecting me to solve this problem. And I'm telling you that if I did tonight what you want me to do, the township would pay a severe price for my actions." 

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