A group led by Ocean Pines Police Det. Patrice Hamilton-Ottey want to transform a home on William Street into a Hope4Recovery Inc. house, offering rehabilitative services. The Berlin Board of Zoning Appeals will consider the matter on April 4.

By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(March 15, 2018) The Berlin Town Council on Monday declined to endorse a proposed rehabilitation house in the town, although officials said they supported the concept.

Hope4Recovery Inc. Executive Director Patrice Hamilton-Ottey, an Ocean Pines Police detective, founded the Douglas K. Hamilton House for Recovery in the Newton neighborhood of Salisbury last year.

She proposed a similar effort for a house on 602 William Street in Berlin.

“Hope4 Recovery Inc … are made up of a group of individuals who have worked in the areas of public service in an attempt to better the community,” she said. “We are steadfast in the cause and are dedicated in our work to be the model of a recovery residence for Worcester County.”

She said the house would “provide a clean, safe and sober living environment for those suffering from the disability of addiction [and] as a result of this environment cultivate productive and successful members of the community.”

Theo Williams, housing and homelessness manager for the City of Salisbury, called the Hamilton House a success.

“I’ve been in most of the recovery residences in Salisbury … and hers is definitely the nicest – a lot nicer than my apartment, I must say,” he said. “It’s just a very warm and open atmosphere. On top of that, I do not believe there have been any calls for service to that location.”

He said the neighborhood was at first “quite resistant,” but was won over by Hamilton-Ottey during several community meetings.

“There was a lot of fear and uncertainty surrounding recovery residences. Even though it is a national and state-level emergency that is killing 60,000 people a day, people are still understandably scared,” he said. “Tish, against my recommendation, decided to go to the Newton neighborhood meeting and they loved her, to put it lightly. She was very honest and open with them … and now she is a welcome part of the community.

“She took a dilapidated house that was way too large to ever be converted to owner-occupied, invested money, heart and soul, and really was able to transform this into a pillar of the community,” Williams added.

Brian Zimmerman, an Ocean City native and former resident of the Hamilton House, also provided a statement.

“Rewind just 14 months from today you’ll find me in a terrible place, nowhere to turn, no family to call, every bridge I crossed burnt up behind me,” he said. “Fast forward back to today, I have a full-time job, I’m a co-owner of my own business, I’m trustworthy and my family is now a big part of my life again.

“I’ve graduated the intensive outpatient treatment program and made my life whole again. That is in no small part thanks to my time at the Hamilton house,” Zimmerman continued. “While being there, I learned responsibility, accountability, how to communicate, to keep my promises, to lend a hand when it’s needed – these are the principals instilled in one who really takes advantage of a unique, sober environment like the Hamilton House.”

The house provided a strong family dynamic with residents sharing meals and talking about their days, “and it feels like home,” Zimmerman said.

“Honestly, I couldn’t tell you where I would be without it. I might still be stuck in that terrible place. Who knows, I might not even be here,” he said. “The disease of addiction has taken members of our community faster than we can count, but with more homes like Hamilton in place, those that want to make a change can and will survive and thrive.”

Councilmember Thom Gulyas said he noticed many letters of support in a packet submitted to the council, but that did not include the Worcester County Board of Education.

Hamilton-Ottey said she met with School Superintendent Lou Taylor and Chief Operating Officer Steve Price last week and had “a very positive meeting.”

“We talked about where the house was and said, ‘what kind of concerns would you have,’” she said. “The only thing they could think of was, at arrival and dismissal the kids cross at that street, at Graham and William Street [near Berlin Intermediate School].”

She said residents could be restricted from smoking in the backyard during arrival and dismissal times “if it makes the community feel better.” Hamilton-Ottey also said she would make a full presentation during the March 20 school board meeting.

Mayor Gee Williams said approval would ultimately be up to the Berlin Board of Zoning Appeals. He encouraged the group to get a letter of support from the school board.

Resident Carol Rose asked if anyone had yet spoken with people in the neighborhood.

“We have not,” Hamilton-Ottey said.

“That, to me, is probably the first thing you’ve said that’s clearly an unfortunate oversight,” Williams said. “That’s something I would encourage you to do.

“Being fairly familiar with the Town of Berlin and our citizens, personal communication is precious here,” he continued. “I wouldn’t leave the resident to be the last folks you interact with.”

Councilmember Troy Purnell said he supported the concept of “everything you guys have said.”

“You’re going to need to speak with the residents,” he said. “I’ve not heard a word from anybody about this even coming up tonight, so I suggest you do your homework as soon as possible.”

Councilman Elroy Brittingham agreed.

“And I would really like to hear the results of the board of education [meeting], being that close to the school,” he said.

Williams said there was “unanimous support here for what you want to do,” but added “the critical thing is we also need to respect everybody and bring everybody into it.”

He cautioned the group not to set an artificial deadline.

“I would say you’re going to be up and rolling it looks like, based on everything you’ve told us, in the very near future,” he said. “I think that you’ll find everyone you’re going to be dealing with – residents, the board of zoning appeals, people in this community – very reasonable, very forward thinking, very open minded.

“I think here we’re trying to do the right thing, but it’s very important to do it the right way and we just ask for your consideration,” Williams added.

The board of zoning appeals will consider the proposal on April 4 at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall.