Bold Steps Behavioral Health officials said Monday their proposed treatment center on Greenfield Road would not include new buildings or expansion beyond the existing structure.
During a March 16 public site walk, company representatives told Peterborough residents that all construction would be limited to the interior of the main building at 468 Greenfield Road.
The Zoning Board of Adjustment hosted the visit while CEO Chaim Berger led over 40 residents around the site. Attendees raised their concerns regarding the project.
Residents walk around Bold Steps Behavioral Health’s proposed treatment clinic building. Credit: TYLER DION / Ledger-Transcript
Bold Steps, a New Hampshire-based addiction treatment provider, is considering the 150-acre property for a new facility.
Chief Operations Officer Joe Curran said the organization does not plan to add new buildings or infrastructure. The proposal centers on renovating the existing structure — a large horse barn with an equine training arena and more than 20 stables.
“What you see is what you get; the structure will remain the same,” he said. “We’ll retain two or three horses for equestrian therapy, but we are not adding any houses or structures to the property, so everything will be contained in the main building.”
Bold Steps COO Joe Curran speaks to Peterborough residents about the site proposal. Credit: TYLER DION / Ledger-Transcript
“We’re proposing around 30 beds right now,” Berger said. “We’ll have 60 patients and 25 staff members at any given time.”
He said staffing levels would meet state requirements. Patients would be allowed to move freely on the property under staff supervision, with a curfew in place, Berger said.
Resident Chuck Welch said he would rather see affordable housing on the property than a clinic. “We have workers in town who have no place to live,” he said.
Traffic was also a concern for neighbors. Melanie Bertoni, who has lived nearby since 1990, said the area has limited access.
“The reason this affects our neighborhood so much is because this is the only way in and out,” she said. “All four adjacent streets are cul-de-sacs.”
Curran said patients would not have personal vehicles on site and that the company does not plan to add parking, though officials said they would continue to review traffic concerns.
Berger said Bold Steps does not yet own the property or have it under contract.
“We’re going through the zoning process, and if we can’t do what we want to do with it, then we’ll have no use for it,” he said.
Chaim Berger, CEO of Bold Steps, speaks to Peterborough residents in front of the main building on 468 Greenfield Road. Credit: TYLER DION / Ledger-Transcript
Conservation Commission co-chair Francie Von Mertens said the proposal appears to have relatively low environmental impact, noting the property includes wetlands and forested areas.
Berger said the organization would explore ways to preserve the land, adding that the natural setting contributes to the therapeutic environment.
Von Mertens said the commission may submit a letter to the ZBA comparing the project’s environmental impact with other potential uses.
The ZBA is scheduled to continue discussion of the proposal at its April 6 meeting.