UPDATED: Residents Say No to Walden Treatment Center; ZBA Continues Hearing to Aug. 20

Written By Whitney Cyr

Framingham residents came out in force on Tuesday night in Framingham to voice their opinions to the Zoning Board of Appeals regarding Walden Behavioral Care’s proposal to build its headquarters on the Marist property.

 The center would house 80 patients with various eating and mood disorders including anorexia, bulimia, obesity, and depression. 

Framingham Patch was the first media outlet to report that the Waltham-based facility wanted to open the treatement facility and move its headquarters to Framingham in May.

The Blumer Room at the Memorial Building Tuesday night was packed to capacity, with many residents listening to the various speakers from outside the room.

Attorney James Hanrahan, Robert Michaud of MDM Transportation Consultants and Walden Behavioral Care President and CEO Stu Komen all gave separate presentations in support of the special permit needed in order to build the property at the former Marist property.

The special permit would grant Walden a licensed establishment for the care of sick, aged, crippled or convalescent persons.

Hanrahan explained the two existing buildings on the property, the Marist House and Bishop’s Hall would be renovated. The footprint of the buildings would remain the same, in addition to the exterior architecture. In total, Walden’s proposal includes three buildings to house their facilities with a total of 80 beds offered to the psychiatric patients.

 “We propose to develop a center for healing and recovery like no other in the commonwealth or like others in New England,” Koman said. 

According to Komen, the facilities will offer Framingham revenue from property taxes, job opportunities, internships for Framingham State University students, but above all, it would provide the town with a service to help those with life threatening disorders.

Koman said he wishes to use the center as a one-of-a-kind center to treat obesity, the first in New England. 

He added every patient would undergo heavy screening, making sure he or she doesn’t have a history of violence, a criminal background or of sexual offenses.

 “There is absolutely no data to suggest that these patients commit more acts of violence than the rest of the population,” he said.

 Michaud, a traffic consultant, said the traffic increase at the proposed site on Pleasant St. would result in 5 percent. 

Michaud’s report concluded the highest traffic flow from Walden would not be during rush hour in Framingham and would result in an extra 500 vehicle trips in one day. There would be 30-40 more vehicles on Temple St. in the morning.

 Residents had varying, but strong opinions on the use of the Marist property for this treatment facility.

 Robert Cohen, an attorney in Framingham, noted the building would be “completely inconsistent with the character of the neighborhood.”

 David Jacobs, of Framingham, brought forth a petition with 350 signatures from those who oppose the proposal for the property. 

Jacobs said his concern was the safety of his neighborhood and the drastic increase in police and fire calls to Walden. 

Based off numbers from an outpatient care center in Waltham owned by Walden, Framingham police would experience roughly 145 calls to the facility per year.

Jacobs has been blogging about the Marist property proposal on Framingham Patch. 

“Komen didn’t address the risk of suicide. These patients have a high prevalence of suicide in particularly lethal ways,” he said.

Not all residents opposed the property however. Richard Paul spoke in support of the special permit.

“At this time, it is the best proposed use of the property. An increase in traffic would happen with any use of the property. The acreage around the property allows for a buffer,” Paul said.

Framingham resident Gerry Bloomfield also supports Walden. Bloomfield said the problem in Framingham was similar to the concerns raised over the casino in Milford, saying traffic will always be a problem and the center will be secure. “If it’s somewhere else, it’s okay,” he said, “but not in your backyard. It seems like people only care about their own interest.”

Zoning Board Chair Phil Ottiviani said the hearing would be continued to Aug 20, after a 3-hour discussion Tuesday night.

The Framingham Zoning Board of Appeals received 3 letters in support of the special permit, 2 letters with questions about the project and 27 letters in opposition to the project.

The board has 90 days, after the hearing closes, to approve or not approve the special permit request.

Editor's Note: Originally published on Wednesday, July 9 at 1:30 a.m.