FREEPORT

Following a decision from the legislature blocking the placement of a new mental health facility in Augusta, GOP Gov. Paul LePage has stated that he is looking at alternative locations, including in Freeport.

In an interview on the George Hale Ric Tyler Show Tuesday morning, LePage said that he still plans to build the facility even if it’s not located where he originally intended it.

“Well, what I’m gonna do is I’m looking for another location,” said LePage. “They could only stop me over on East Campus. And already I’m looking at Freeport right now. We’re looking up in the Bangor area. We’re looking down south. I’m gonna get it, but it’s just not going to be next to Riverview so we won’t be able to use the same staff.”

The proposed 21-bed Secure Forensic Rehabilitation Facility would house individuals with mental health issues that have committed crimes. The LePage administration had hoped that by building the new project on the East Campus next to the Riverview Psychiatric Recovery Center, the two facilities could share staff to cut down on costs. With the unit expected to now be located outside of Augusta, that arrangement is no longer possible.

Any plan to locate the facility in Freeport has not been communicated to the town, said Freeport Town Manager Peter Joseph.

“We haven’t had any contact with the state or the Governor’s Office on anything having to do with locating a facility in Freeport,” said Joseph.

nstrout@timesrecord.com