Don’t fence me in

Bayfield politely urges council to mind its own business

Bayfield Treatment Centres does not want the municipality regulating what is already a highly regulated business. Sharlene Weitzman is the chief operating officer of the residential treatment, education and counselling facilities for children operating through six homes across Ameliasburgh from Rossmore to Consecon. Weitzman responded to a range of issues raised last month by neighbours of these homes relating to break-ins, vandalism and aggressive behaviour by children in its care before a committee of council last week.

Weitzman began by apologizing to the neighbours, about 20 of whom were assembled in the Shire Hall gallery. She acknowledged that Bayfield ought to have “gotten in front of this.”

With Bayfield’s attorney Richard Wright by her side, Weitzman quickly turned to a defence of her organization—pointing to accreditation achievements, awards and history in this community.

She explained to council that Bayfield operates a highly regulated business and works diligently and responsively to neighbours’ concerns and damages. She noted the implementation of a system that calls concerned residents when a child has run away from the facility, and again when they return.

“I credit the neighbours for finding this system,” said Weitzman, “I credit Bayfield for implementing it. There is nothing else like this in Ontario.”

She stressed that the children in Bayfield’s care are not incarcerated.

“These kids are getting treatment,” said Weitzman. “They are not detained. They are like one in five other kids in this community.”

EXPANSION PLANS?
Ameliasburgh Councillor Dianne O’Brien along with North Marysburgh Councillor Robert Quaiff asked Weitzman to confirm speculation that it was moving a youth facility from Trenton to the County.

Weitzman refused.

“It is unreasonable to ask about expansion plans when the issue is already contentious,” said Weitzman. “It will only incite more conflict.”

Quaiff noted police had been called to the Trenton facility at least 63 times in recent months.

“I think we should know if the County will have to assume the cost of these additional OPP calls,” said Quaiff.

Sophiasburgh Councillor Terry Shortt suggested to Weitzman that, despite the reputation and good work Bayfield does, it has some work to do to make its neighbours feel safe.

“There is a problem here,” said Shortt. “How will an agreement with some neighbours help the situation overall? What measures are you taking to prevent kids from running away?”

Weitzman said Bayfield is below the Ontario average in terms of runaways. She also reminded council Bayfield staff are not permitted to physically restrain a child from running away.

“We want them to have a normal home environment,” said Weitzman.

Bayfield’s attorney Richard Wright then stepped to the microphone to underline the point that governing this facility wasn’t something in which council ought to involve itself.

“Private mediation stands as an open offer,” insisted Wright. “It is an appropriate solution—rather than black and white regulation.”

But few of the residents want a private deal; instead they are seeking to restore a feeling of safe and quiet enjoyment of their homes for all residents.

One neighbour, Don Carr, offered a series of suggestions that council might consider in regulating facilities such as Bayfield’s. These included demanding that such a facility post a security bond; establishing minimum distance separation between group homes and neighbours; and allowing homes only in communities with municipal water and sewer services.

“There should be no more free lunch,” said Carr. “Appropriate planning rules will stop Bayfield from offloading costs of a private business onto the backs of the municipality and its residents.”

Carr also added that he believes there are too many homes clustered across Ameliasburgh.

Council asked planning staff to prepare a report with recommendations about how, or whether, it ought to proceed.