Gosnold Pulls Plug on Plan to Expand Near Morse Pond School

FALMOUTH – Gosnold has decided to scrap its controversial plan to expand their services with a new drug rehabilitation facility near the Morse Pond School in Falmouth.

The agency announced late Monday that they would instead expand their search for a new location.

From the moment Gosnold announced the plan, there was outcry from parents and residents who said the drug treatment facility would be too close to the nearby school, creating a safety risk.

“Over the last several weeks, we have worked hard to engage with the community,” Gosnold’s CEO Richard Curcuru said in a statement.

The non-profit wanted to add 19 acute detox beds and 30 dual diagnosis beds in an expanded facility on Jones Road in Falmouth.

“Our major concern was just the safety of the children at Morse Pond and the playground. And that’s why did what we did,” said parent Michael Heylin. He and others loudly protested the plan and showed up in force at Falmouth selectmen’s meetings in recent weeks.

“People are very upset at what happened. It was not being a good neighbor, what they did to us,” said Heylin.

A community meeting was scheduled for later this month to discuss the plan.

“We listened and heard the message loud and clear. While the community supports our staff and our mission, it would prefer an alternate location,” said Curcuru.

“Today, we’re announcing an effort to find that new location and are once again enlisting the support of the community to help.”

According to the statement, Gosnold helps 8,000 each year on Cape Cod with various services to treat addictions.

“For more than 40 years, Gosnold has been an important resource for the health and well-being of the residents of the Cape, Islands and Southeastern Massachusetts. We help about 8,000 people each year and the need for services to treat substance misuse and mental health problems is on the rise,” said Chief Operating Officer Elizabeth Folcarelli.

“This new facility is more important than ever.”

Heylin said organizers of the opposition wanted to thank all those who helped oppose the plan, but was critical of local elected officials, saying they didn’t help them in their efforts.

 

 

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