Proposed Substance Abuse Facility In Marlborough Would Be City's First

MARLBOROUGH, MA — A proposed substance abuse treatment center would be a first in Marlborough, according to the behavioral healthcare company behind the project.

Alta Behavioral Health is seeking a special permit from the city to operate the day clinic in an office building along Donald Lynch Boulevard near North Bigelow Street. The facility would serve a need in Marlborough, with no "narcotic detoxification and/or maintenance facilities" available in the city at the moment, according to Alta.

According to Alta, more than 160 city residents were referred to drug or alcohol treatment by the state Bureau of Substance Addiction Services in 2022 and 2023, but only eight were able to get treatment in Marlborough. The rest went to facilities in Worcester, Westborough and Framingham.

"This exhibits a need for providers within the city for these services, for the convenience and accessibility of the city's residents," Alta's application said. "Many individuals in recovery do not have readily available transportation or the ability to travel great distances."

The proposed facility would occupy about 4,400 square-feet in the office building, and would typically serve 25 patients with eight staff members on site.

The application was up for discussion at Monday's Marlborough City Council meeting. At-Large Councilor Kathleen Robey asked for the special permit request to go to her Urban Affairs Committee for a public hearing set for March 25.