Mayor Mitchell continues to oppose Brigham Street facility, pledges partnership with City Council

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Mayor Jon Mitchell today reiterated his opposition to a proposed location for an opioid addiction treatment facility on Brigham Street and pledged to work together with the City Council on options for protecting neighborhoods.

At its October 24 meeting, the Council adopted an order with the intention of immediately prohibiting the issuance of local permits related to opioid addiction treatment centers within 10,000 feet of a residential structure. A subsequent legal review by the City Solicitor’s Office found that the measure was invalid because the City Code requires that zoning-related matters of this nature take the form of a municipal ordinance rather than a simple order.

Zoning ordinances are governed by a separate procedure which involves approvals by the Planning Board, Council, and Mayor. Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40A, which governs zoning ordinances, also mandates that the Planning Board and City Council hold public hearings on the proposals. In conjunction with his statement today, the Mayor returned the October 24 order to the City Council based on the recommendation of the City Solicitor’s Office. Mayor Mitchell thanked Councilors for their united opposition to the treatment center and pledged continued partnership.

“I am committed to working with the City Council to ensure that addiction treatment centers are operated with the interests of neighbors taken into consideration,” he said. “I understand that the Council intended to safeguard our neighborhoods, and I appreciate their concern and their efforts to protect the best interests of residents. We will also continue to work to ensure that those suffering from the scourge of addiction receive the care that they need. New Bedford has demonstrated itself to be a national leader in combatting opioid addiction, but it would be irresponsible for us to not also take steps to ensure the appropriate locating of substance abuse facilities. I am confident that together, we can find an effective solution with the best outcome for the residents of New Bedford.”

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