At a public hearing on February 26, the Republican-led administration of the Town of Marbletown will ask the town's residents to consider a proposal that would site a methadone clinic at 10-14 Gagnon Drive in Stone Ridge, off Route 209.

The applicant for this special use permit, Lexington Center for Recovery, already runs such programs in Dutchess, Rockland, Sullivan and Westchester Counties. As LCR's Ulster hub, the proposed Marbletown facility would import and serve opioid-abuse sufferers from across the county.

Marbletown itself (pop. 5,658 in the 2020 census) does not have a statistically significant opioid-abusing demographic – unlike, say, the city of Kingston, half an hour away. Nonetheless, it seems only fair for Marbletown to take on this outsize share of the county's social-services operations.

The proposed facility will dispense its clients' prescribed dosages of methadone every morning (starting at 6 a.m.), 365 days per year, while also offering them periodic medical exams, counseling and other assistance. Nestled in a wooded cul-de-sac, invisible from the highway, it will not in itself intrude on the outward appearance of the town. It will only impact the three private residences on Lamberti Lane, just 200 feet away from the Gagnon Drive building and in full view thereof. Weighed on the larger scale of things, its predictable effect on those homeowners' property values and sense of security is negligible, and the sacrifices involved on their parts mere fulfillment of their citizenly obligations to the town.

Transportation for this anticipated cohort of what we might call opioid tourists raises some obvious questions. Driving on methadone is often ill-advised, especially early on in treatment as dosages get adjusted and the client gets used to the effects. Some of our new guests, therefore, will presumably arrive via the UCAT bus system, the nearest stop for which is in front of the MyTown Marketplace mini-mall. Others will come by car, but will wisely opt not to drive while "under the influence," and will therefore stay around until their dosage responses are under control. We can safely assume that only a small percentage of them will take to Main Street in their vehicles with their senses impaired.

Of course the proposed treatment facility can't provide such amenities as full food service. Yet its clients will need food and drink, and a place to hang out. Fortunately, the aforementioned MyTown Marketplace can serve that purpose admirably. Conveniently, it lies a mere half-mile walk from Gagnon Drive, along a stretch of 209 that has no sidewalks. However, if you tread carefully the heavy northbound morning traffic poses no safety risks, and you eventually get used to the noise and rush of those cars and trucks.

Once the facility's clients reach the mini-mall they will find a wide range of choices for food and beverages, both alcoholic and non. There's the excellent MyTown Marketplace supermarket, but also Ming Moon (Chinese), Benny's Pizzeria (Italian), and Dunkin' Donuts. Not to mention Stone Ridge Liquors, Walgreen's drugstore, and even Shangri-La Hair Salon. Imagine the bustle once these newcomers show up! What local business would not welcome an influx of new year-round customers?

Unfortunately, only Benny's and Dunkin' have seats, and not very many at that. Presently, any customers beyond their capacity would have to shelter outside under the overhangs, uncomfortable once the weather gets cold. Perhaps, once Ulster Savings Bank vacates its current branch office and moves south to its new location, the present USB building can get repurposed as a year-round clubhouse of sorts for these visitors.

However, the MyTown Marketplace complex has ample grounds fronting on 209. So, when the weather warms up, LCR clients can lounge in the shade of the trees, sunbathe on the open lawns, picnic around USB, and otherwise showcase the casual, convivial atmosphere that makes Marbletown what it is. (Possible roadside signage: Marbletown -- come for the opioids, stay for the ambience!)

And if they need a restroom, Dunkin' Donuts can accommodate them. Plus there are woods alongside and behind the mini-mall that can absorb any overflow.

Needless to say, all of this depends on the decision of the Planning Board of the Town of Marbletown, which has final say in the matter. We can have confidence that they'll take their guidance from the unofficial motto of the Parete administration: What's good for business is good for Marbletown!

Allan D. Coleman

Stone Ridge