Proposed CBRF continues to draw concerns from neighbors

Last night, representatives from Matt Talbot Recovery Services and Milwaukee County met with concerned residents regarding Talbot's proposed 5-bedroom CBRF facility near 92nd & St. Martin's Road. The meeting was tense, and at times argumentative, which left both sides leaving with no significant forward movement to bridge the gaps present.

Residents pointed out several key issues that concern them, the primary one being that Matt Talbot's CBRF facility can, with proper review and recertification by the state, be turned into a facility that could house "undesirables" - drug and alocholic rehabilitation patients that Matt Talbot's company specializes in with several of their facilities in Milwaukee. Despite representatives from both the County and Matt Talbot both stating that they wouldn't be housing these patients in Franklin due to significant costs incurred on their part if they did, residents were left questioning that commitment since Matt Talbot refused to put that in writing.

These non-commitments were argued by Matt Talbot's attorney several times that it shouldn't be viewed as such, due to future agreements with the County and state that will require signed commitments that won't allow such people to be housed at the facility. Instead, Matt Talbot stated several times the Franklin facility will be similar to other CBRFs in Franklin and house those with developmental and mental disabilities. These individuals could be wheelchair bound and pose little harm to the community-at-large. Additionally, Matt Talbot reps stressed the reasoning behind the elopement equipment is to keep a closer eye on these residents so they don't leave the grounds unattended.

What truly impacted this relationship between Matt Talbot and their future neighbors, potentially to an irreperable state, was the process of which this proposal was presented to the public. Despite Matt Talbot reps stating that this facility will be under one of their subsideries that doesn't handle drug and alcohol rehab patients, city staff kept moving forward with the applicant being Matt Talbot Recovery Services themselves. This lack of communication directed neighbors to their website, which painted a picture of offenders, criminals and the like as being the targeted population for this facility. Now, despite any verbal commitments made, no one is allowing those stances to hold firm in their own minds.

Additionally, city staff under the direction of Mayor Olson fell flat when it came to handling the public in this controversial situation. The alderwoman of the district, Susanne Mayer, had emails misplaced due to staff sending them to the wrong email address. Several other aldermen claim that the lack of being provided with Plan Commission packets and detailed information on the proposal as it was making its way through the Commission and the Board of Water Commissioners hindered their ability to fully realize what this was, and perhaps not giving them an opportunity to ask appropriate questions before a crucial water main extension vote March 3rd.

With all the frustration and lack of information, residents have to take Matt Talbot's representatives at their word that the facility will truly be for the developmentally and mentally disabled. And based on how the project has been executed publicly so far, it leaves a sour taste for some.