Avon approves MOU, recommends $146,483.95 appropriation for regional CLEAR opioid recovery initiative

The Avon Town Council on April 3 authorized the Town Manager to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with McCall Behavioral Health Network to participate in the Farmington Valley Regional CLEAR initiative and favorably recommended a $146,483.95 appropriation from restricted opioid settlement funds to the Board of Finance.

Chief of Police Paul Melanson described the CLEAR model as a multi-town program that trains two officers in each participating community to act as conduits to treatment, with a clinician and coordinator shared across towns. He said Avon has received $146,483.95 in opioid settlement funds so far and expects additional funds. Chief Melanson told the council the program is already used in other Connecticut municipalities and that Avon expects to spend about $30,000 annually to support the CLEAR program elements currently proposed. The minutes record: "RESOLVED: That The Town Council authorizes the Town Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with McCall Behavioral Health Network and any related documents required for the Town to participate in the regional CLEAR (Community Law Enforcement for Addiction Recovery) Initiative."

Council also favorably recommended to the Board of Finance a supplemental appropriation of $146,483.95 from the Opioid Settlement (restricted) account for opioid remediation programs and services, with quarterly accounting and an expectation that staff will provide utilization feedback after one year. The motion to authorize the MOU and the appropriation passed unanimously.