Flemington Council Opposes Halfway House
Neighboring Municipality Takes Issue With Proposed Project
FLEMINGTON – Flemington borough council Thursday night went on record in opposition to plans for a halfway house/re-entry facility in Lock Haven’s hill district.
Flemington council on a 6-0 vote approved a resolution in opposition, to be read at next Monday’s Lock Haven public hearing on the request from a Williamsport social service agency pursuing establishment of the halfway house inside the city, some 200 feet from its boundary with the borough.
City council Monday is expected to act to accept or deny the conditional use request from Firetree Ltd to construct a two-story halfway house for up to 80 paroled convicted felons from north-central Pennsylvania.
Flemington left no doubt on its views Thursday night. Council member Wayne Allison introduced a 13-point resolution in opposition; it passed 6-0 and Allison agreed to present the resolution at Monday’s 7 p.m. hearing at Lock Haven University’s Ulmer Planetarium.
The resolution said the borough “respectfully requests that the Lock Haven City Council reject the zoning application. The reasons for the borough’s opposition are set below:
• The property is surrounded by residential zones in both Flemington and Lock Haven. The proposed facility would adversely impact the quality of life for residents near the facility.
• Cree Drive/Pineview Drive is a Keystone Central School District bus route with several stops within a block of the facility.
• St. Luke’s United Church of Christ, which holds children’s Sunday School classes and has expressed interest in a daycare facility, is within 800 feet of the property.
• Hillview Wesleyan Church is located approximately 1,000 feet from the property.
• Grove Community Park and Rube Bressler Little League Field is(sic) located approximately 1,100 feet from the property and is used extensively by children during the summer months.
• Grove Community Park hosts a Keystone Central School District Summer Recreation Program.
• There are two homes with minor children within 300 feet of the property.
• Flemington is concerned with the introduction of addicts in our community, many of whom have no local ties. This will increase the need for social services and law enforcement and diminish the quality of life for our residents.
• The facility will house up to 80 convicted felons and there is no guarantee that the population will not include residents convicted of violent crimes or sex offenders.
• Should the actions of the residents increase the need for law enforcement in Flemington beyond the PA State Police coverage currently used by the Borough, a substantial tax increase would be imposed on Flemington residents and the Borough will not receive any tax benefit from the facility.
• Clinton County, Lock Haven, Flemington and Keystone Central School District will be adversely impacted by decreased property values.
• The influx of up to 80 men required to gain employment as part of their reintroduction to society will negatively impact the job market for county residents.
• Flemington is concerned with the need for added security at our community hospital, with its narcotics storage, that is adjacent to the proposed location.”
Allison said the resolution contents were developed at a recent meeting between Flemington council representatives and attorney/borough resident Allen Lugg. Council fine-tuned them at the Thursday public session.
