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Residents call for action as Georgetown meeting fills with tense debate over homelessness and services
Summary
A lengthy public-comment period focused on homelessness, encampments and local supportive-housing programs. Residents, service providers and State Senator Brian Pettijohn urged both urgent cleanups and coordinated, accountable services; speakers were sharply divided on enforcement versus treatment approaches.
An extended public-comment session dominated the Oct. 13 Georgetown council meeting as more than two dozen residents, business owners, service providers and officials addressed concerns about visible homelessness, encampments (commonly referenced as "Pallet Village"), trash, drug activity and public safety.
Two hotel general managers provided written correspondence documenting property damage, alleged drug use and disruptions tied to state-assisted guests and asked the town to take steps to protect businesses and reputation. Those letters—read into the record by town staff—said repairs exceeded $10,000 and asked the mayor to explain actions the town is taking.
Speakers at the podium presented a wide range of perspectives. Several residents recounted safety fears, property damage and encounters they attributed to individuals living in encampments, asking for stricter enforcement, cleanup and removal of tent encampments. A number of speakers blamed local "detox" or supportive facilities for attracting people and urged tougher oversight.
Other attendees urged a different approach. Peer counselor Erica Merrill and Supportive Housing Issues Committee member Dennis Winzenreid urged compassion and coordination with service providers; Senator Brian Pettijohn urged the council to convene stakeholders, saying residents' safety concerns are "real" but that solutions require coordination among town, state and nonprofits. "Residents feeling unsafe should be a showstopper for us as elected officials," Pettijohn said, and offered to help convene an ad hoc group of stakeholders.
Several former police officers and longtime volunteers supported combined enforcement plus structured services, saying criminal summons and court involvement alone do not resolve repeat behaviors. Public commenters also raised concerns about environmental impacts (trash and hazardous debris in woods) and about accountability and transparency for supportive-housing programs and expenditures.
The council listened but took no new action during the meeting beyond reminders about the town's Supportive Housing Issues Committee meeting schedule and an invitation for public input; committee members encouraged residents to forward suggestions to town hall and to attend committee meetings.
Quotes from the meeting capture the tensions: one resident wrote that "this town is full of drug dealers, drug addicts, homeless vagrants," while Erica Merrill said, "They're people... not a number for me." Senator Pettijohn offered a middle path: "We mustn't allow the small group of individuals in our town to force families and businesses to leave our community," while also advocating compassion and measurable goals.
Next steps: residents were urged to participate in the Supportive Housing Issues Committee and to submit ideas to town staff; the committee will continue to meet and accept public input.
