Norwegian Twp. residents oppose use of 2 homes to house disabled
Jun. 28—MAR LIN — About 20 residents attended the Norwegian Twp. Planning Commission meeting Monday to voice displeasure about two homes in the township.
Community Options Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides services to those with disabilities, owns two residential homes in the township.
Resident Lisa Renninger, a nurse who said that she has worked with the disabled for more than 30 years, said residents only want single-family homes in areas zoned for such homes.
"This is not against what Community Options does as a business; that has no bearing on why we are here, so their mission or their goal is inconsequential," Renninger said.
The Community Options' homes are at 15 Tall Oaks Drive and 569 Willow St.
Among other requests, Renninger said, residents want outside legal counsel to assist them in protecting their rights as homeowners.
"Federal laws are meant to be challenged when we feel our rights as homeowners are being negated by the rights of whoever moves into these group homes," she said. "My rights are not going to be trampled on because we're too afraid, or you're too afraid, or whoever is too afraid to take on a federal lawsuit."
For about an hour, discussion ensued about the number of people in the homes; the homes' impact on the values of other properties; and issues relating to quality of life.
"We don't know what type of permanent residents we are talking about at this time," Renninger said.
Keith Tokonitz, commission chair, said that to his knowledge, no township ordinances are being violated.
"I understand it's not a single family, but they are occupying it as a single family," Tokonitz said.
He referenced a letter from township attorney Albert J. Evans, which said the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination against people because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family or disabilities.
Sheilann E. Weicker, northeast regional director for Community Options, Drums, tried to reassure the public about the role of the organization.
"We want to be great neighbors," she said.
Michael Miller, township office manager and zoning permit officer, said a July 6 visit to the homes is planned.
Vote taken
"Do you want an independent counsel," Renninger asked the crowd.
People responded that they wanted one.
Members of the planning commission subsequently voted unanimously to recommend that the board of supervisors assist in finding a list of attorneys for the residents.
The next supervisors meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. July 10.
Renninger said it's the township's responsibility to pay for an attorney for the residents.
Evans, however, said in his comments Wednesday: "The township only has the authority to pay for legal claims that are grounded in legal precedent because the township supervisors have a duty to protect the finances of the township and cannot spend funds when there is no chance of success."
In a phone interview Tuesday, Weicker said residents moved into the homes about six months ago.
All three of the residents were born in the county and have family here, she said.
Weicker, who also is from the county, was disappointed in the community response voiced at Monday's meeting.
Among the other counties the nonprofit maintains homes in are Luzerne, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Columbia, Lycoming and Northampton.
She said the nonprofit has faced similar opposition at other locations.
"A lot of people, they really don't understand the disability community, and when they don't understand, they are fearful," Weicker said.
Contact the writer: amarchiano@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6023
