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Residents tell Stillwater County commissioners they oppose proposed forensic mental hospital
Summary
Several residents, including Kelsey Tennison and Kyle Stadel, told commissioners during public comment that they oppose siting a proposed Forensic Mental State Hospital in Stillwater County, presenting petitions and citing safety and staffing concerns; commissioners said the county has not offered property and no local decision has been made.
Kelsey Tennison, a Stillwater County resident, told the Board of County Commissioners on Oct. 16 that she and others oppose siting a proposed Forensic Mental State Hospital in Stillwater County and presented 49 signed petitions and more than 30 online signatures opposing the facility. Tennison cited safety concerns, high staff turnover and other potential problems with locating the hospital in the community.
Abby Britto and another community member spoke in support of those concerns during the public comment period. Later in the public comment period, Kyle Stadel, who identified himself as a lifelong county resident, also said he did not favor placing the facility in Stillwater County.
Commissioner Steve Riveland, chair of the board, responded that the commissioners had not discussed the proposal and that the county did not have property to offer for such a facility. Commissioner Roger Webb said the state initiated invitations to counties on the eastern side of Montana; Commissioner Jeff Ruffatto added that the state would need to research potential locations and that Stillwater County had not made any determination.
No formal action or vote was taken by the board on the subject during the meeting. The Commissioners’ comments indicated that any decision would originate with the state and that local action had not been requested or taken at this time.
