Dick Listro, of Nicholson Hill Road, shared his concerns with the Select Board about a proposed single-family group home. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
SOUTHWICK – The Select Board heard concerns from residents on Tuesday night about a proposed plan in a nearby neighborhood for the development of a group home.
A proposed 30 ft. wide by 90 ft. long group home at 11 Nicholson Hill Road is expected to have four residents at this time. The home is owned by Berkshire County Arc, a non-profit organization based in Pittsfield, which offers services to individuals with developmental disabilities, brain injuries, and autism throughout both Berkshire and Hampden Counties.
Dick Listro, who lives on Nicholson Hill Road, met with the Select Board to talk about the proposed single-family group home. Listro addressed the fact that his and the rest of the neighborhood’s concern about the proposal isn’t about the people that may be in the home, but the potential effect the property could have.
“We’re concerned that the homes are going to suffer,” said Listro. “It’s about the value of our homes for the future, not the people in it.”
A major reason why Listro believes the group home could bring down their property value is the presumed appearance that the building will have. Listro pointed out the group home that is located on Sheep Pasture, is also owned by Berkshire County Arc.
“It doesn’t look like a residence, it looks like a hotel,” said Listro. “We don’t like the design, we want it to look like a home.”
Michael Govine, who would be an abutter of the single-family home, chimed in on the discussion.
“Why screw up my house?” said Govine. “Everything I have is in that house, we’re here to tell you that’s not acceptable on our street.”
Jim Murray, who lives on Nicholson Hill Road, but down the street from the property, is concerned about the traffic the group home may cause, since he has two young children.
“I’ll have to think about moving if this (home) goes in,” said Murray.
Further into his discussion with the Select Board, Listro added that he’s done research and looked at the Fair Housing Act where there have been lawsuits with other companies involving a similar situation. Despite that, Listro is aware of the difficulty it may be to get the organization to not build in their neighborhood.
“They have the right to build pretty much where they want to,” said Listro.
The Select Board informed all of the concerned neighbors that they’d be reaching out to Berkshire County Arc and also finding out what could be done, but Select Board Chairman Joe Deedy wanted to reassure the individuals that he didn’t have an answer for them at this time.
“I don’t know what we can or can’t do for you,” said Deedy.
