Selectmen United in Opposition to Proposed Lowell Methadone Clinic

The Chelmsford Board of Selectmen are looking to mount a strong opposition to a proposed methadone clinic just feet over the border in on Old Canal Road in Lowell, a sentiment shared by neighbors as well during their meeting on Monday night.

The topic was the first thing the Selectmen heard during a public forum from Stedman Street resident Eileen Keddy and Calvary Church pastor Ed Conway, whose church is located only a few hundred feet from the location of the proposed clinic.

Keddy voiced her concerns to the Selectmen, stating that the City of Lowell did not notify nearby neighbors in Chelmsford and also saying that she saw office furniture brought in.

Conway also voiced concern with a lack of communication from the City of Lowell and the project’s developers, noting worry about users of the clinic potentially meandering through the area due to a lack of a nearby public transit stop, as well as the presence of six places of worship, two dance studios, dense residential areas and a playground nearby.

The issue resurfaced again at the end of the meeting, as Selectman Janet Askenburg informed the board of her discussions with State Representative Tom Golden, who represents portions of Lowell and Chelmsford, as well as Lowell assistant city planner Joseph Ginowitz.

In particular, Askenburg also noted her fears that the lack of a bus stop in the area could lead to clients of the proposed clinic to walk nearby areas that have high concentrations of the elderly or children, such as the Chelmsford Community Center on Dalton Road.

“That’s a Lowell issue, but it’s just frighteningly close to the Chelmsford line,” said Askenburg. “Right as you cross the line, there’s housing everywhere, but the part that’s most disturbing to me is the Chelmsford Community Center is exactly 1.1 miles away. That concerns me, I’m not going to say anything different.”

Additionally, Selectmen voiced their concerns over possible traffic backups from Stedman Street from Lowell into Chelmsford, due in large part to the expected 600 clients that would use the clinic daily.

The Lowell Zoning Board of Adjustments will discuss the topic at Lowell City Hall on May 30 at 6:30 p.m., which the Selectmen said they will attempt to attend in unison.

CORRECTION -- 600 clients, not vehicles.