WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — Resident concerned about a proposal to build apartments for low-income tenants and a new homeless shelter near the existing Haven shelters on Route 5 say they’re worried about noise and the potential for an increase in crime.

The Hartford School Board organized a meeting last week so neighbors could hear presentations from Twin Pines, The Haven and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on their plans. If approved, 18 one-bedroom apartments for low-income renters and an emergency shelter would be built.

The School Board advertised the meeting as a community engagement event to discuss the impact the project might have on the 1,800 students and employees on the campus across Route 5 from The Haven.

The proposed emergency shelter would be “low barrier,” and include 20 beds and more services, space and showers.

Accessing the low-barrier shelter does not require any kind of criminal background check, program participation or sobriety. If someone in need of a place to sleep shows up inebriated, they won’t be turned away.

Michael Redmond, executive director at The Haven, said that the ethos of low barrier sheltering is hinged upon harm reduction in moments of need.

“We want to do what we’ve been doing for five years with our first low-barrier shelter, but we want to do it better,” Redmond said.

The meeting was hybrid, and extra seats had to be added to Room 1 at Hartford Town Hall. At one point, 61 viewers were tuned in online.

Many residents expressed concerns about disorderly behavior in their neighborhood from those who might be using the shelter, citing recent incidents of vandalism and disruption. The “low barrier” status of the shelter became a flashpoint for the meeting.

Beth Demers, of White River Junction, lives adjacent to The Haven and was the first resident to speak at the meeting.

“My hope is that the low-barrier shelter might be placed not within an immediate neighborhood or within proximity to the several schools in the area,” said Demers.

The Haven, which is on land originally purchased from St. Paul’s, currently runs a group shelter for eight families as well as an adult shelter that can house up to 20 individuals, but was limited to 10 at the onset of the pandemic. In 2015, The Haven opened a winter seasonal shelter, which operated as a low-barrier shelter until 2020, when it also closed because of the pandemic.

The shelter was operated in the dining room. There was a single shower and men and women, divided by a curtain, slept in the same room.

“It wasn’t at all trauma informed,” Redmond said.

But Demers said that the presence of the Haven singles shelter in their neighborhood has been difficult, and that expanding it could bring more of the same.

“When they leave or come into the shelter, we’ve had a lot of disturbance on our street,” said Demers. “These events might be unheard of from people (proposing) the project, but not for the people living in the community.”

Residents also voiced frustrations over how community input was collected.

“During this process, I felt like I wasn’t a part of this community. When the church and The Haven approached us, it felt like they had already made up their minds,” said Michelle Boleski, of White River Junction.

Others also said problems with the existing shelters were already affecting quality of life.

“We have great concern already for what we see in the neighborhood,” said Kerry Heavisides, of White River Junction. “I don’t let my daughter ride her bike anymore. I’m going to need a lot of convincing that this is a good location.”

Several teachers, current and retired, voiced their support for the presence of the new shelter so close to the schools.

“The work and proximity of The Haven is an asset to our school community,” said Danny Brzozowski, a teacher at Hartford High School.

Mary Bouchard, another teacher at Hartford High, noted that many of the school’s students have experienced homelessness themselves and receive services from The Haven.

“This could be the project that allows a student to continue accessing school,” she said.

Even those who voiced concern over the project also emphasized their support for The Haven’s work. Still, the discussion was shot through with accusations of NIMBYism, or a “not in my backyard” mindset.

“For me the heart of the issue is safety. And I’m living in a place where I don’t feel safe,” said Heavisides.

But she said that the night’s discussions had made her believe in the possibility of a compromise.

Redmond didn’t mince words about the effect the addition another shelter might have on the neighborhood.

“We would see a lot more people with mental health challenges, that’s for sure. But our hope is that with this program we can provide helpful services,” said Redmond. “The motto of The Haven is hope and possibility. Sometimes it takes a long time for those to emerge. And it can get messy along the way.”

Frances Mize can be reached at fmize@vnews.com