Some residents in Berlin, Vermont are outraged over newly released prisoners possibly moving into their neighborhood. At Monday's select board meeting, they looked to town leaders for help on how to stop it.
No need to ask these neighbors in Berlin, Vermont how they feel.
"It puts a bad taste in my mouth and just very uncomfortable," said Jean Bruce of Berlin.
Four prisoners, two of them sex offenders, are expected to move into this neighborhood on Chandler road once they are released from jail. Neighbors like Jean Bruce were never notified, rather found out through this sign, "A couple of the neighbors had posted on telephone poles," said Bruce.
And her other neighbors are not happy with the possible idea. The town select board meeting was packed full of people wanting to make sure something would be done.
"No state government has the right to come into your home and tell you we'll do what we want," said a concerned Berlin resident.
"It does warrant a little more looking into," said a concerned Berlin resident.
"I'm speaking for the children," said a concerned Berlin resident.
Jean's biggest concern is her son, Nathan who has down syndrome, "Mom and dad's biggest concern number 1 is always to keep you safe," Jean tells her son.
She supports the idea but thinks it should be in a different location, not near children, "We feel there really isn't a whole lot of rehabilitation for a sex offender."
Many people aimed blame at the elected town officials, but, they too had just found out.
"Let's try and come with a way to fix this together," said a select board member.
The town administrator says it could in fact become a zoning issue, but they will need to find out more.
"We're taking it very seriously and as I said we will issue you an opinion here shortly," said Jeff Schulz, Berlin Town Administrator.
The parties involved with the rehabilitation program and also the home owner, who gave permission to rent out the space, did not show up to the meeting. The town select board plans to look into the issue further to see if any legal issues would impact the decision.
