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The Board of Selectmen on September 30 met with representatives from Habit Opco, which is slated to open a methadone clinic at 401 East Main Street in January.
Attending were Laura Frangipane, regional director at Acadia Health Care, the parent company and Erin Belle-Isle, who will direct the Spencer location.
Frangipane said the goal is to open a satellite location to shorten the drive for people going to centers in Springfield and Fitchburg.
The idea is to “help folks more easily receive services,” she said, which include medication assisted treatment and clinical and counseling provided in an outpatient setting.
She said they used federally regulated medications like methadone, suboxone, subutex and others.
Selectman Ralph Hicks, who has a nephew receiving this treatment, said services are “sorely needed,” and he believes the clinic will be a “win-win” for Spencer.
Hicks said the clinic will add to the tax rolls and help people who want to get off drugs.
Frangipane said the evolution of treatment and greater independence makes people more engaged and motivated to “come and participate the way it’s intended.”
She added, “We don’t punish people for exhibiting symptoms of disease.”
Weekly interdisciplinary meetings are held to monitor progress. Partnerships with local police, fire, primary care and health agencies are important, realizing they alone are not “the end all and the be all,” she said.
Springfield had 13 response calls last year; none for violence and one overdose of a non-patient, she said.
Selectman Anthony Pepe said Spencer is powerless to stop these mandated facilities from locating there. His concern is the town does not have infrastructure to support it.
Pepe said he is disappointed because over the last 15 years, efforts were made to “clean up the town,” attract businesses and families and build new roads.
Belle-Isle spoke about how police (in Springfield) have “no qualms,” about bringing people to them for help. Other community liaisons assist with aiding people with housing and food needs, resulting in “less folks on the streets…We’re appreciated and valued in the community at this point.”
Pepe said he is concerned about drawing people from outside of the area, noting “one person in a Dunkin Donuts bathroom or wandering in town not doing well is one too many.”
“I understand the need for (services),” Pepe said, “but I’m worried this will hurt the town. I hope I’m completely wrong but it’s my job to watch out for my town.”
Springfield initially paid for police detail at its site but the community removed it because there was not a need, said Belle-Isle, who oversees that location. “We’ve turned public perspective around.”
Every facility has uniformed security to move foot and vehicular traffic along, said Frangipane.
Pepe said he hoped at least initially they would have police detail at the Spencer site.
Selectman Gary Woodbury said he would hate to place a burden on other town departments. “I’ve seen it happen in other towns. I hope we’re wrong…Our job is to look out for the public and make sure all the information is out there.”
Spencer Rescue contract would increase
Selectmen also heard from Patrick George, president of Spencer Rescue and Emergency Squad. He spoke about rising costs and inflation as Spencer looks toward a new three-year contract with the private, non-profit corporation.
Spencer Rescue has provided medical services to Spencer since 1959. It is licensed at Basic and Advanced Life Support (ALS) levels.
George said the organization purchased three ambulances at $170,000, $265,000 and $310,000, not including $25,000 to outfit the vehicles.
He said inflation over the past three years increased by 21% or $55,000. George noted $2.1 million had to be “written off,” on reimbursements because 80% of its transports are on Medicare or Medicaid.
Additional factors are $112,000 in insurance costs, which George said doubled since 2020.
He praised the staff, noting the organization did not provide health or pension benefits, something that would need to be covered if the town took over the services.
George added Spencer Rescue is overseen by a volunteer board and if it was a town entity, it would mean hiring a leader with “a six-figure salary.”
Town Administrator Jeff Bridges noted the current contract is for $225,000. He said the proposed three-year contract totals would be $325,000, $350,000 and $375,000 (or $100,000 more for the next fiscal year).
Hicks said whether the organization or town runs the services, the prices would be identical.
“We definitely need to do something for Rescue Squad. We can’t let them go under because then we inherit it…a very pricey thing to do,” he said.
Used trailer as backup a possibility?
Peter Boria, superintendent of Utilities & Facilities, reported the transfer station’s trash trailer may arrive at the end of next week. (It was impacted by the hurricane in Florida so that could change).
Hicks has been proposing the town get a second backup trailer – that he said could “rotate out,” with the new one to increase its longevity.
A new trailer would cost $125,000 to $135,000, according to Boria.
Bridges suggested that Boria and a mechanic travel to Harwich to investigate getting a used trash trailer. It is being held there by the distributor for the Florida company.
Boria said with minor repairs, the town could expect to pay around $20,000. It is a 2012 model, currently in service and with an inspection sticker in place. It is being replaced because of a regular replacement schedule and not because of its condition, Boria said.
The three sidelined vehicles the town has were from the 1980s, he added.
Selectmen gave approval for Boria and the mechanic to go look at it.
Bridges noted the Florida company owes $17,000 in late charges to date.
