Drug Treatment Issue Explored

Drug Treatment Issue Explored

YPSILANTI -- Drug treatment in the Ypsilanti area was discussed again at the Ypsilanti City Council work session last night.

Dr. David Bostian, Ann Arbor program chairman for the Washtenaw County Community Mental Health Center, told the council the county was still interested in establishing a treatment center in Ypsilanti.

Council members had asked Dr. Bostian to attend the work session to clarify county requirements. The council had been subject to severe criticism for its refusal to let the Octagon House continue operating in Ypsilanti.

The council told Dr. Bostian it was "very anxious” to have a drug treatment center in the city providing city ordinances and particularly zoning laws were followed.

The Octagon House was denied a rezoning on the grounds location of such a facility at 114 N. River St. would create spot zoning in the area.

Dr. Bostian told the council the county would like a building with at least 2,500 square feet. He added the size of the facility would depend on where the Ann Arbor drug treatment center moves, adding the Ann Arbor center is moving because there is no heat in its present location at the Human Resources Building.

Mayor Richard L. Boatwright asked Dr. Bostian if he had considered the Chamber of Commerce building as a possible site. Bostian said the building was “too small” and that he would appreciate city help in talking to local realtors about other locations.

Mayor Boatwright said the city would do “all it could” to help establish the program, “because there is a need for it in the community.”

In other business:

The council expressed concern over the recent decision by the Water Resources Commission to have a regional sewer system with a treatment plant on Lake Erie.

Bruce Jones, public utilities director, told the council the city would have to add to the present plant until the regional sewer is completed in seven to 10 years. Jones said modifications would cost about $500,000.

City Manager Peter Caputo reported the traffic committee had decided to remove the no-right and no-left turn signs

at the end of Gregory St. The city will take a traffic count after the signs are removed to determine if there has been an increase in volume.

City Atty. Kenneth Bronson told the council he had received a reply from the Internal Revenue Service stating the city could raise Blue Cross benefits during the wage-price freeze.