Alfred Planning Board Greenlights Recovery, Training Center

York County government plans to break ground soon on a new substance use treatment and recovery center and separate first responder training center in Alfred.

By Tammy Wells, York County media specialist

York County government’s proposed substance use recovery center and separate first responder training center are now a go. The Alfred Planning Board approved the projects on Monday, June 3.

This means the county can now seek bids for site work for the two projects on county-owned property off Layman Way and Route 4. Scarborough-based Landry French Construction is providing construction management services.

“We’re very happy and grateful for the approval,” County Manager Greg Zinser said. “We’ll break ground as soon as we can.”

A regional recovery center to combat substance misuse and a first responder training center emerged as top priorities as York County Commissioners began considering options for use of about $40 million the county was awarded through the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021. Commissioners were committed to projects that would make lasting differences in the lives of county residents.

The York County Substance Use Treatment and Recovery Center will sport 58 beds – 50 licensed substance use disorder beds offering detox, short- and long-term options – and eight observation beds, allowing for immediate access to care.

The York County First Responder Training Center will offer workforce development for law enforcement, fire services, emergency medical services and related professions, all close to home.

The vote was 4-1, with Planning Board members Andy Bors, Lee Steele, Michael Gibney and Al Carlson voting in favor and member Dorothy Guinard opposed. Two board members, Stephen Gile and Owen Brochu, were absent.

There were conditions – among them that the county pay for an Alfred Water District main to be upgraded from the current 8-inch size to 12 inches; that project construction be conducted between 7 am and 7 pm, and that once the 58-bed recovery center is complete, the county would surrender its current 36-bed land use permit for Layman Way Recovery Center.