Peabody City Council postpones talks on new senior development

PEABODY – The City Council has decided to postpone further discussion of the proposed senior housing and training development off Route 1, citing the need for more in depth information on what the project entails and how it would affect downtown flooding.Developer Robert DeNisco is seeking permission to build Newbury Village, an alternative senior housing complex that includes onsite training for caregivers. However, his ideal location does not allow for any residential construction. His hope is for the Council to amend the permit to allow residential development if the state grants exemption from the local zoning ordinance.DeNisco’s attorney, John Keilty, said that two elder service care providers, Associated Home Care of Beverly and Elder Service Plan of the North Shore, Inc., both asked about the 13 acres of land behind what’s soon to be an indoor sports complex. Keilty said it was their suggestion to create a larger version of their small communities that already exist throughout the state.”Independence done with dignity,” said Carol Suleski, Executive Director of Elder Service Plan of the North Shore. “That’s the goal of these homes.”The development would include 40 residential units each with three or four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and common areas for dining and social gathering. There would be no schedule to follow, meaning residents could come and go as they please, eat when they want, and have guests over at anytime. The educational component comes into play with an onsite training facility for caregivers, both professionals and family members.”My vision of Newbury Village is all these community houses under one roof,” said Suleski, adding that this particular development would help conserve a scarce resource, caregivers.Mike Trigilio, President of Associated Home Care, couldn’t have agreed more.”The trend today is for (families) to take care of parents themselves,” said Trigilio. “But often times, they end up injured or injuring their parents. Our vision is to take the opportunity to train individuals so they can take care of parents the right way.”Trigilio said he expects a minimum of 50-60 trainees each month, with 10-15 of who will then work directly with residents at Newbury Village. The training program would follow a strict curriculum designed by the State.All councilors agreed the concept sounds wonderful and that Peabody could truly use something of this nature. However, not everyone was convinced the project was of genuine intent, nor were they convinced the former junkyard and wetlands conservation area was an appropriate and safe site for the elderly.”I would love to have a Newbury Village facility in Peabody, but I don’t think this is the site for it,” said Councilor at Large Ted Bettencourt. “I can’t help but think this proposal is to sort of move around the requirement of no residential component.”Councilor at Large James Liacos also doubted the intentions of Keilty and the developers he represented.”If you were serious about it, you’d at least show me the land,” he said. “I don’t even know the square footage. It sounds huge, but I don’t know.” Keilty then passed around an aerial photo of the land produced by Google Earth and promised that plans are in the making and would be available at the next meeting scheduled for the first week in April.Liacos continued to question why Keilty was even in the Wiggin Auditorium Thursday night, since by law, it doesn’t really matter what the Council decides if the State exempts them.Newcomer Barry Sinewitz, Ward 6 Councilor, said he is against the project on so many levels, including its contaminated soils and ocean-like wetlands.”I don’t need anyone telling me it’s not a flood zone,” he said. “I have my own eyes.”