The proposal to renovate the former mill at 21 Chamberlin St. into an addiction rehabilitation center in Greenville has been continued again, after a public hearing on the matter on Thursday.

Georges Realty submitted the application for the center almost two years ago, but the application was continued month-to-month for a year from July of 2023 until last month while plans were updated. The board continued the hearing again Thursday to allow time for stakeholders to submit comments on updated plans.

Will Georges of Georges Realty said he’s aware of the stigma surrounding addiction, but that rehabilitation centers are “very much needed.” He said revitalizing the mill and bringing around 50 jobs to the area will boost the economy, and provide a use for the long-empty mill.

“I know there’s a stigma behind the project – no one wants it. But in 2014, a facility of this kind saved my life,” Georges said. He said he was 10 years sober from an alcohol addiction.

“These are not bad people. The people coming in want the help,” he said.

Planning Board Chair Mike Sadowski fielded a few questions from the audience, but said many of them had been answered since the hearing started two years ago. He also directed residents to the submitted materials which are available on the town’s website, greenvillenh.org, both on the landing page under the “news” tab and on the Planning Board’s page. While some residents expressed frustration over limitations on public comment, which only allowed “new” concerns not already heard by the board, Sadowski said the board was attempting to move the application forward to deliberation.

Sadowski said he was also aware that there were strong emotions related to the possibility of a rehabilitation center in the town’s center, but that the board must review the application only with an eye to the town’s zoning rules.

“Feelings cannot come into it,” Sadowski said. “We cannot continue to kick the can down the road. We need to be fair, to them and to you.”

One of the major changes in the application since last year was how the facility will address parking. Originally, Georges Realty planned to lease parking spaces from a nearby church, and use its existing parking lot. After the board raised questions on whether the church’s parking would accommodate both the rehabilitation center and its own needs during both businesses peak hours, Georges Realty has submitted a new plan which includes building a parking area for 30 spaces, offsite but within walking distance.

Sadowski said the applicant would have to submit a separate site plan for the parking lot, but that the board would move forward with the deliberations for the rehabilitation center plan, and if approved, would require the approval of the parking site plan among its conditions. Sadowski said because many of the questions surrounding the parking would be discussed during that site plan review, the board would not discuss it at length on Thursday.

However, board members did discuss the number of potential spots needed during the hearing. Specifically, the applicant has provided proof of up to 43 spots – 13 in front of the mill and 30 in the offsite lot. Sadowski said that during the peak shift, there were up to 29 employees expected at the rehabilitation center, and that during a shift change, would need double that to accommodate both employees coming on shift and coming off.

The applicant disputed that, saying that the shift that relieves the peak shift is much smaller, and they have calculated that the peak overlap would be 41 employees on site at  any one time.

The board unanimously agreed to continue the hearing  until Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. at the Mascenic Education Center on Adams Street.

Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172, Ext. 244, or asaari@ledgertranscript.co m. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.