HB1763

The purchase of 58 Truell Road in Hollis by Community Options has created undue hardship upon the neighborhood and the town. Both Community Options and DHHS have failed to offer resources, support, and intervention on multiple occasions, despite increasing concern from the neighborhood. According to the regional director from Community Options, one of their foundational core values surrounds "community integration" of their residents. Despite this claim, there has been a lack of communication with the neighborhood. The regional director held no accountability for this failure; instead becoming hostile and blaming her predecessor while offering no apology, resolution, or future improvements. There have been two known reports to DHHS regarding concern for the care and treatment of residents in the home that have been left unanswered and disregarded. This failure by Community Options and DHHS has put an increased pressure on the Hollis Emergency Response personnel who have frequented the residence 15 times from July to December (a 7-month period). Police transcripts show calls from the following dates: July 3rd July 9th with concerns for a suicide risk July 22nd July 29th July 31st with concerns for a suicide risk August 15th for a psychiatric emergency August 19th for a welfare check surrounding noises of distress coming from the residence (2 households made calls) August 22nd surrounding noises of distress coming from the residence, including overhead statement of a caregiver being assaulted (one external household made a call as well as a call from the residence) August 29th which led to the shut down of the dead-end road September 17th for a psychiatric emergency September 18th surrounding towns were called to respond as Hollis was unable to respond October 30th for audible screaming from inside the residence November 6th November 11th when a resident was seen outside, naked and screaming with no caregivers present December 16th for a welfare check surrounding extreme noise and banging from inside the house (two households have audio evidence obtained by security cameras) Outside of these dates noted by police reports, there are multiple instances of screaming indoors and outdoors and car alarms being set off at various hours of the day. Caregiver staff inside the residence have shown a blatant disrespect for surrounding neighbors by making excessive noise in the middle of the night, littering, and allowing trash and debris to pile up. This trash has blown into our own yard and had a marked increase in the presence of pests. As the residents in the house immediately next door (the closest of the neighbors), we have been drastically impacted by the failures of Community Options and DHHS. We have an almost 2-year old at home who has been negatively impacted by these disruptions. These disruptions have created interruptions in her sleep cycle that have had directly related, notable changes, including: - Increased fussiness - Increase in frequency and severity of tantrums - Increase in stress and anxiety (nightmares, separation anxiety) - Decreased appetite - Decreased play and inability to focus on her chosen activities The debris blowing into our yard creates a dangerous environment for our daughter and our dogs to play. Added to the screaming and verbally abusive language used by caregivers, it creates a toxic and stressful outdoor environment that no being is able to enjoy. We wish to make it known that we support bill HB1763 and call for further action to be taken in protecting the community of vulnerable individuals while preserving the safety and peace of residential neighborhoods.

Position recorded without written comment.

Position recorded without written comment.