Montville: No sex-offender home here

1-12-2010 Connecticut:

12-bed treatment facility had been proposed next to prison

Montville, Conn. — Montville town leaders Monday night blasted a state proposal that could bring a sex offender treatment facility to the community.

The Town Council directed Mayor Joseph Jaskiewicz to send a letter to Gov. M. Jodi Rell and its legislative delegation vowing to fight any initiative that would bring the site to life.

“It was ‘no’ from day one, it’s ‘no’ now and it will be ‘no’ for the future,” Jaskiewicz said. “Let them find another location somewhere else.”

There was some confusion among residents and councilors leading into Monday’s meeting about just how likely it was that the Corrigan-Radgowski Correctional Center in Uncasville would house the proposed treatment center.

That’s because lawmakers in June 2008 approved a provision requiring the state Department of Correction and Court Support Services Division to each construct 12-bed centers that would provide secure residential facilities to sex offenders who have finished or are finishing prison sentences.

After the legislation passed, both state agencies decided to pool their funds, and Correction officials tapped Middletown-based contractor The Connection Inc., to build the facility adjacent to the correctional center.

Plans changed

But Correction spokesman Brian Garnett said Monday plans changed as the economy faltered, and the Correction Department and Support Services Division will build separate facilities.

Last week, the Correction Department launched a bidding process for the construction of a 12-bed center. The deadline for applications is March 8. According to details of the application process, the department will earmark $1 million annually to support the facility for up to six years.

“We are starting fresh and we’ll see what we can get,” Garnett said. “Montville at this point isn’t even in the equation.”

State Rep. Michael Lawlor, D-East Haven, and co-chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said Connecticut desperately needs a facility to house high-level sex offenders to help ease their transition back into society.

Must live somewhere

“I understand the reaction of people who live nearby, but it’s either having these people wandering around with no supervision, or having supervision,” he said. “I think everybody would agree that’s a really bad idea.”

State Rep. Kevin Ryan, D-Montville, said he supports Montville’s efforts to keep the facility away from town.

“We’ve made it clear that we don’t think this is an appropriate location for this,” he said.

Council member Howard Beetham, who made the motion that Jaskiewicz send a letter to Rell, said he hoped the town’s sharp stance makes a difference.

“This will be a good time for her to save a few bucks and kill the project,” he said. “We don’t want this in our town.”

But not everybody shares his concerns.

“It doesn’t bother me any,” said resident Ron Sydor. “You’ve got to put them somewhere. If they’re not here, they’ll just be some other people’s problem.” ..Source.. ADAM BENSON, Norwich Bulletin