Hampden rejects proposed detention center

HAMPDEN — The Town Council needed only one overture to decide that the town does not want a juvenile detention center to be built here.

After a slide presentation by Michael L. Czarniecki, principal at WBRC Architects and Engineers in Bangor, would-be designers of the detention center, the council Monday evening voted 3-2 to entertain the possibility no further.

Councilors Kenneth Huntley, Susan Tennant and Charles McClure said they were concerned that the required right of way on Western Avenue (Route 9) would generate traffic problems, and voted against entering future discussion of the project.

Councilor William Romano said there was not enough information immediately available. He added that whether the town wanted the center in Hampden was the issue, and not the right of way. Mayor Marcy Summers said she would be willing to consider the project. Both voted to discuss the possibility at a later time.

Councilor Katherine Carter abstained from voting.

According to Czarniecki, the juvenile detention center would be located behind the site of the new municipal building, on a 55-acre parcel owned by the town. The building would cover about 10 acres, allowing for an adequate buffer between neighboring properties.

The building would house 40 young men and women between the ages of 12 and 18 from the northern half of the state.

The center would be state-owned, paying no taxes to the town. WBRC’s other projects include Penobscot County Jail in Bangor and Piscataquis County Jail in Dover-Foxcroft.

Tennant told the council she had problems with the logistics of the area. There are so many “unknowns” on Western Avenue, she said. Future development such as the shopping center, middle school and housing for the elderly, as well as the fire station and municipal building will produce increased traffic congestion.

Romano asked Czarniecki about security and noise level at the the detention center.

“Sound will not be an issue at this facility,” Czarniecki responded, as the walls will be solid masonry. Though the center may at times hold murder suspects, Czarniecki assured the council the detention center would be secure.

“If anyone has any questions about this facility, you’ll find them incorporated in (Penobscot County Jail) in downtown Bangor,” he said.

“Basically they can be made to look an awful lot like school constructions,” Czarniecki said. “Inside they’re made to be as attractive as they can be.”

He said other sites in Hampden were likely to be considered, though the lot on Western Avenue was the architectural firm’s first choice. Czarniecki added that 40 locations had been considered statewide.

Hampden is a preferable site because of the town’s access to Interstates 95 and 395, and its several large undeveloped lots.