Hearing is closed on convalescent home

KENT — The Kent Planning and Zoning Commission closed the public hearing on the proposed convalescent center on Carter Road at its special hearing on Thursday, Sept. 26. 

This was the third hearing at which the center was discussed. Vincent Roberti and his two sons, Dan and Vin, are proposing converting their large, private home on the road to a recovery center for adult professionals recovering from addiction.  

They are seeking a special permit to convert their main house and accessory dwelling to the new use. Vin Roberti is the facilities manager at High Watch, an addiction recovery center that is also on Carter Road, a winding back road that is mainly residential. 

Neighbors on Carter Road have largely objected to the plan to put the convalescent home on their road. Concerns have included increased traffic, possible decline in property values and the fear that there might be sex addicts admitted to the center.

One neighbor, Allan Priaulx, said at the Sept. 26 meeting that he is not opposed to the plan and that facilities of this kind are needed to help people move through the next phase of their recovery, after having gone through the more rigorous programs at places such as High Watch.

About a dozen other neighbors on the road, however, hired an attorney, Joe Szerejko from the firm of Murtha Collina, to represent them.

At the hearing on Sept. 26, similar concerns were reiterated about the project. The Roberti family said that they would reduce the number of clients in residence at any one time from 16 to 14. 

The hearing was closed but no decision was made on the special permit. The commission’s next meeting will be Oct. 10. Minutes and agendas can be found at www.townofkentct.org/planning-zoning-commission.