The North Webster Town Council Monday told a group looking to put a recovery center in a home in town they could not support the effort in that location.
The facility, named Humble Beginnings, was presented to the town council and has also appeared before the county zoning board and the area plan department.
Town board president Jon Sroufe said he had letters against the use of a home at 319 E. Huntington St. as a rehab facility.
Jason Schmidt, who said he inherited the home from his late father, said the focus of the facility would be rehabilitation for men dealing with drug and alcohol abuse.
"Our goal is when they come in we can get them on their feet," said Schmidt.
Schmidt said he is trying to do his part to combat the drug problem in North Webster.
"I don't want it to be known as Meth Webster anymore," said Schmidt.
Several of Schmidt's neighbors spoke out against the facility.
Mark Boggs who also lives on East Huntington Street expressed concern about what the facility might do to property values.
"I think what you want to do is great but I think the location is a bit of an issue," said Boggs.
Several other neighbors also said they supported such a facility but had trouble with it being in a residential neighborhood.
Rob Fisher with North Webster Day Care said he was concerned that the facility would be near the town park.
Schmidt said the facility would not take in violent or sexual offenders.
Sroufe read a letter from the North Webster Police Department stating it would not be in support of the facility.
Sroufe along with council members Lisa Strombeck and Tim Hine said they would not give their endoorsement to Area Planning.
No official action was required by the board in the matter.
Earlier in the meeting, Schmidt said creating such a facility was so important to him he would look to put it at another location if necessary.
In other business, the board approved a new travel policy.
The town's budget hearing is set for Sept. 14.
North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce President Tonya Bowser said the chamber is working with the North Webster Community Center to create a fall festival.
