Retreat can use building for vets

BRATTLEBORO — The Vermont Environmental Court has sided with the Brattleboro Retreat on a proposal to house patients participating in the psychiatric hospital’s Uniformed Service Program.

The program brings to Vermont firefighters, police officers, emergency medical technicians and service members suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

The retreat wants to use the eight-room Meadowlark Inn on Gibson road to house the patients while they are in Brattleboro.

The town Development Review Board approved the plan last June, but two neighbors objected, saying the Retreat’s use of the building would transform the property into a therapeutic community residence. They asked the environmental court to overturn the board’s decision.

The Brattleboro Reformer says a judge ruled the retreat could rent the rooms to patients, although it could not offer psychiatric services or therapy there.