Residents surprised by opening of non-profit in neighborhood

Date: 12/11/2015

WEST SPRINGFIELD – Several residents took to the City Council on Dec. 7 to express concern about a state program implemented in their neighborhood without their knowledge.

Residents of Tatham Hill Road were surprised to learn that a home in their neighborhood had been purchased by the state and converted in a Guidewire facility. Guidewire is an organization that helps move developmentally disabled adults from institutional settings to a home in the region.  

The state has a program that allows private contractors to find homes to service nonprofit organizations, Condon said. Because this falls within the program’s guidelines, the state was not required to notify the town or residents of Guidewire opening. The program is also exempt from abiding by zoning ordinances.

Though West Springfield is no stranger to programs such as this, the residents were “shocked and surprised” by the lack of notice, according to District 3 Councilor George Condon.

“The neighbors are upset. They’re concerned about their home values and things of that nature … I think they were just shocked because they didn’t know this was going on,” Condon told Reminder Publications.

Condon said he was just as surprised, having learned about the program’s presence just days before the Town Council’s meeting.

Even though the Town Council has no jurisdiction because it falls in the hands of the state, Condon said the board is making an effort to open communications. The Council will be hosting a meeting between Guidewire, residents and community stakeholders at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 16.

West Springfield, he said, is home to similar integrative programs with few to no complaints. The meeting will be a chance for all involved to gain a clearer understanding of what is happening.

 “One other group we had a few months ago, they met and it worked out very well to sit down with the director of the home, the staff, counselors, community police and residents. They came to a mutual understanding about each other and the work,” Condon said. “We just want to get all the parties concerned together into a neutral environment to learn how the process works.”

Because the issue stems from the state, Condon said he would encourage residents to reach out to state Rep. Mike Finn and state Sen. Jim Welsh.