Controversial Drug Rehab Proposal Withdrawn

A residential drug rehabilitation center proposal by Harding Corona for Route 206 has been withdrawn, the Hillsborough Planning Department confirmed Wednesday.

The proposal called for the construction of five buildings, totaling 34,115 square feet, on a lot located just north of the inersection of Old Somerville Road and Route 206. While the facility would have been built by Harding Corona, Gen Psych, of Bridgewater, planned to operate the facility. 

Gen Psych officials could not be reached for comment on the withdrawal of the plans, however, the proposal was met with opposition by neighbors of the area.

"I suspect that they did not want to continue their efforts here, given the vocal and unified opposition by the residents of Hillsborough," Flanders Drive resident David Fritz said.

Gen Psych met with residents living near the site Nov. 14, after reducing the planned construction—but making the center a residential facility instead of out-patient treatment center.

The meeting may have been aimed at calming residents ahead of a Planning Board hearing on the application, but if so, that effort failed. Residents turned out for the Dec. 6 meeting, and grilled Georgette Jungels, of Millington, who was to head the center's counseling and treatment operations. The Planning Board continued the hearing on Harding Corona's proposal to the February meeting to hear from the company's business managers.