Lynn board hearing on sex rehab set tonight

LYNN – The City Council will hold public hearings tonight on three proposed ordinances prompted by a request from LifePoint Church to establish a rehab center in Lynn for those with addictions, including Level III sex offenders.Robert Eggeman, deacon of the church at 10 Baltimore St. in the city’s Diamond District, stirred the community last month when it was learned he had approached the Police Department about whether convicted sex offenders would be permitted to join the counseling sessions.Convicted sex offenders must register their whereabouts when living or visiting Massachusetts.According to Eggeman, the rehab facility is still in the development stages and would be located in Lynn, but not necessarily at the Baltimore Street church.City Council President Timothy Phelan vociferously opposed the plan and vowed to take whatever legal steps necessary to prevent it. Phelan quickly filed three draft ordinances, including one that requires a change to the city’s zoning code.”It seems to me that calling it a ministry house is an attempt to manipulate the law because there are protections for churches whereas there are not legal protections in other areas,” Phelan said. “But if it looks like a rose and smells like a rose, it’s a rose. And I will do everything in my power that’s legal to prevent his from happening.”Phelan said he remains unconvinced that having multiple Level III sex offenders under the same roof to receive services would be in any way therapeutic or religious.The three draft ordinances are designed to thwart any attempts to establish a counseling or rehab center where convicted sex offenders might gather, Phelan said.The measures define Level III sex offenders and place restrictions on where they can live in the city, based on proximity to schools, day-care centers, parks and playgrounds.The drafts also address with penalties the failure of any sex offender to register when entering the city, first with a non-criminal fine of $300. A subsequent offense for failing to register would bring about the fine and notification to the person’s parole or probation officer as well as to the state’s Sex Offender Registry Board.The proposed ordinance requiring a zoning change would increase the minimum parking requirements for group homes, sober houses, halfway houses and similar institutions.Level III offenders are those convicted of the most heinous sex crimes. According to the Lynn Police Department, those classified as Level III should also be designated as sexually violent predators with a high likelihood of committing additional sex crimes and who are dangerous enough to pose a public safety risk.The hearings will take place at 8 p.m. in the City Council chambers.