Winter Hill area residents and city officials met last week to discuss a number of disturbing incidents that have taken place at the halfway house at 155 Central St.

By Donald F. Norton

A meeting was held last Wednesday evening at Winter Hill Community Innovation School to examine complaints by neighborhood residents concerning a halfway house located in the area.

A large turnout of some 100 upset and frustrated neighbors that live near the halfway house operated by Vinfen and overseen by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) voiced their concerns to the representatives of those organizations that something needs to be done to improve the situation there. Many attendees expressed the opinion that there is a need for better screening of those who come to the house.

According to Police reports, a woman was attacked on October 9 by a man whom residents say lives at the facility at 155 Central Street. The police arrested Allen Harmon, a resident there, after being identified by the victim. Harmon is being held for observation at Bridgewater State Hospital to determine if he understands the charges being made against him.

Neighbors voiced concerns about the facility, saying that many times over the years they have had to call the police for various incidents of individuals coming out of the home. It was estimated by the police officers present at the meeting that about 63 calls have been made so far this year. Neighbors complained about beer can debris being thrown around the neighborhood, as well as residents of the home making disturbing comments to various neighborhood residents on an ongoing basis.

Vinfen officials, including its CEO Bruce Bird, were present along with DMH officials and various city and local elected officials. The neighbors were very upset that that Vinfen and DMH did not come to the meeting with a plan on what they were going to do to correct the problem at the home. Some also voiced concerns that and investigation might take place but by an outside, non-related entity.

Neighbors also made it clear that they did not like the way the home is run and asked how a person with a criminal record gets approved to be a resident. The facility has been visited by both the Somerville Police and Somerville Fire departments many times over the years. After this latest incident the local residents want results that will end the neighborhood nightmare.

The neighbors have said that they have had it with this property. Many of them shared personal accounts of various things going on with facility residents over the years. As soon as the meeting began the residents started to ask what the plan was from Vinfen to address these problems. It became apparent to many there that no solution was going to be discussed at the meeting, but the residents made it clear that they were not there to listen to anything other than a plan to make these problems go away.

The meeting lasted almost two hours with a promise to reconvene as soon as a couple of weeks from then for a detailed plan on how Vinfen is going to resolve their issues.

Alderman-At-Large Bill White, along with other aldermen present, as well as Senator Jehlen and Rep. Provost, expressed concern for the neighborhood and agreed that a plan should be developed and brought back to the community to inform them as to how Vinfen plans to proceed.

Another neighborhood meeting will take place within a couple of weeks and everyone concerned will be properly notified.