Presence of group home concerns Howell man Officials have no say when such a facility is established in town BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer HOWELL - Tim Geraghty says he will never again leave his doors unlocked, allow his two children to play alone in the yard or borrow a cup of sugar from his neighbors. Geraghty, who has lived in Howell for more than 30 years, said he is now concerned about his family's safety. His uneasiness derives from the fact that he lives less than 100 feet away from a home which is a self-governed Oxford House program for individuals who are recovering from alcoholism and drug addiction. Geraghty said he found out how the home was being used in March when police officers and an ambulance responded to the residence. He said he believed the response had something to do with an individual in the home having a relapse. Police said the call was for a 55-year-old man who fell down a flight of stairs in the home. They said the call did not involve a resident having a relapse. Geraghty said after he learned about Oxford House he wrote a letter to U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) addressing his concerns. According to Geraghty, "there is a loophole in the system that is being used to provide drug treatment housing in the middle of a residential neighborhood with families and small children. To set up this house around people raising young children is irresponsible." Geraghty said neither residents nor municipal officials were told how the home would be used. "There was zero notification, the house is unsupervised and I have no information about the history of these individuals with regard to criminal records," he said. Geraghty said he wants to stop the operation of the house or at least see some type of supervision. He said he wished residents had been notified and believes the township should have more of a say on where facilities such as this can be placed. According to the federal Fair Housing Act of 1988, "it is unlawful for any jurisdiction to discriminate against congregate living for the disabled. Under the law recovering alcoholics and drug addicts are within the scope of the term disabled. Therefore governing bodies have no control over these homes." There are currently 71 Oxford House facilities in New Jersey, including two in Howell. Both of the Howell residences house men. According to the Oxford House Internet Web site, "any group of recovering individuals can start a new Oxford House. All they need to do is to find a house to rent in the name of the group and apply to Oxford House Inc. for a charter. Oxford House leases residential single-family houses in good neighborhoods." Darryl Joiner, an administrative assistant with Oxford House, said, "Houses are usually designated in good neighborhoods that foster drug- and alcohol-free environments." Oxford House facilities are self-run by the residents who elect officers to serve for terms of six months. If a majority of residents believe that any member has relapsed into using alcohol or drugs, that person is immediately expelled. There are no resident counselors in an Oxford House, according to information provided by the Web site. There must be six or more residents in order for the home to be chartered or recognized by Oxford House. Recovering individuals can live in the house for as long as they do not drink alcohol or use drugs, and pay an equal share of the house expenses. Mayor Joseph DiBella expressed regret that municipal officials had no say in the establishment of the Oxford House. He said the township attorney informed members of the Township Council they had no jurisdiction or authority at all in governing, regulating or prohibiting the facilities. "I am certainly disappointed that we don't have any jurisdiction because I believe the township should be involved in regulating and overseeing these kinds of organizations," DiBella said.