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| By G. Michael Dobbs Managing Editor SPRINGFIELD Members of the Maple-High Six Corners Neighborhood Council visited the Mill Street building on Dec. 11 that houses "Foundation House," a post-release program operated by the Hampden Country House of Corrections. Council members and residents had voiced questions about the suitability of the location at the Nov. 14 Council meeting. Council President Alicia Zoeller told Reminder Publications that Council members were impressed with the program and how the building is used. At the Dec. 12 meeting, the Council tabled further discussion about the program until its Jan. 9, 2007 meeting. Zoeller believes, however, the special permit for the property needs review by the City Council. It was drafted for the building's owner, Michael Goldberg, to have a dormitory-style rooming house for summer employees of Six Flags. It is no longer being used for that purpose and Hampden County Sheriff Michael Ashe said he is renting it on an month to month basis for his program. Zoeller said the current special permit does not address the number of people Ashe could house at the address nor the category of offenders. Zoeller added that at the Jan. 9th meeting, residents are invited to participate in a needs assessment for the neighborhood for the city-wide clean-up program to be conducted in April. |