BROCTON — A controversial subject that resulted in a standing room only attendance at a recent Brocton Village Board meeting saw residents not so much stating “Not in my town,” but definitely, “Not in this location.”

Village stakeholders promptly arrived to take part in the public comment section of a recent board meeting to ask questions about an issue revealed through social media surrounding the potential sale of The St. Stephen Hotel and the possibility of it being turned into a faith-based “recovery house/cafe and restaurant” for drug-addicted adults.

Code Enforcement Officer Alan Gustaphson addressed the public stating “I am aware of a sale pending, and I’m not sure where the potential buyers are at for a possible restaurant and bakery. I’ve been told that the buyers plan to stay in the first floor of the building while they plan to renovate the second floor. However, I did not realize the nature of the intent for the building until it was first revealed on social media.”

What the code enforcer was referring to was news that flooded Facebook recent about former Brocton residents Stewart and Tammy Thompson, and operators of Breathe Life Ministries of WNY, Inc., intending to purchase the notable property and run it as “rehabilitation home,” with an operational cafe/bakery on the first floor where substance addicted adults would work. Once social media opened the intent, including a funding source post on youcaring.com in which dollars were being sought to complete the sale and renovation of the building for the “St. Stephen’s Missionary Project,” and featuring a thumbnail image of the downtown building, Village Clerk Scott Jagoda noted that his office was lit up with phone calls from a very concerned public.

Brocton resident Dennis Mink, who attended with his wife, Stephanie, voiced “This was brought up out of nowhere, and for them to be asking for money for this looks bad. The public was not informed in any other way and I think a different location other than Main Street would be best. The county does need this service. And I think several people would be willing to help out if there were more information.”

He further asked the board members, “What is your plan to combat the drug epidemic?”

Mayor Frost responded that it is a law enforcement issue. Mink reiterated “This is something that could benefit the town, but we, and others as parents, are not happy with the location.”

Several residents voiced concerns that the actual center of the village worries them due to children that traverse through the village, a nearby playground, park and library which sees traffic made up not only of children but elderly people, and the fact that support services for those facing addiction such as necessary medical care, counseling and employment services and transportation are not readily available or immediately accessible in Brocton compared to other parts of the county.

Gustaphson and Jagoda both assured residents that should any formal action be taken on an official sale, the village would be required to open the process up for a public hearing, allowing any village resident with concerns or support for the issue to attend, ask questions and make their opinions heard and noted that a larger setting would be slated to accommodate as many residents as needed.

As Gustaphson prepared to turn the meeting back to the mayor for the remainder of the agenda, the potential buyers arrived and were asked by Gustaphson to address the residents.

“Currently, our plans are the final purchase of St. Stephen’s and to do some renovation and open it up as a coffee shop. Part of our goal is to provide residential rehabilitation services through a certified facility. The building, which would be certified within the State of New York would run as a ‘normal’ rehab, and as part of a ‘normal rehab,’ residents would not be permitted to leave the facility,” stated Stewart Thompson.

Stephanie Mink questioned Thompson whether they have experience running this type of facility before, to which he responded “Yes, we have run recovery ministries.”

Resident Bill Hollman, who attended with his wife, Kimberly responded, “I’ve read the reviews of that program online and the reviews are mostly negative. This is a small community, and as residents here, we love the aspect of a small community. And this is something that is a major obstacle in the minds of parents in this community. Every example I’ve read about has said the same thing. I think you’re facing opposition with so many voices here tonight.”

Cathy Test also raised one of her concerns, reiterating that the small community has no major employment opportunities or accessible services to benefit a person struggling with addiction.

Tammy Thompson answered back to the residents stating “We traveled from Kentucky to be here. We came back because we love the people that we’ve stayed in contact with. The passion you have, I’m excited for that because that means you care. Two of my three children were born here, and I wouldn’t jeopardize the safety of my own children. We’re not looking to ‘detox’ people as in the medical field, we’re looking to offer people a safe place to stay who want to be sober. These won’t be people that have been kicked out of other programs, but people that need a safe place to heal.”

Hollman spoke up to add that he himself has lost family members to addiction and realizes the standard cycle of someone attempting sobriety, adding “Once they’re all through with their treatment, a relapse will happen. That’s what you’re offering to bring to our town.”

Gustaphson and Jagoda again noted that the village would be holding a public hearing as required for any action that will be taken on a potential sale of the property and thanked the residents and the Thompsons for attending.