LIVERMORE FALLS – The Planning Board approved Wednesday night Armand Madore’s application to use the former Parkview Nursing Home as a rehabilitation center for troubled boys.

The meeting on the application, which has been a controversial topic for nursing home neighbors for months, drew no members of the public.

Madore plans to have six to 12 youths in the facility where they will receive counseling, schooling, etc., to help them make a transition from abusive and/or neglected home situations into foster care, for adoption or to return home.

He said he hopes to open in the near future, after doing some renovations, and will keep the Parkview name.

The board added one condition to the permit: that Madore put in a fence at the back of the property where it drops off sharply, as a safety measure. Chairman Guy Palmieri cautioned Madore that any changes to the plan, as approved, will have to come before the board.

Some planners wanted to add other conditions, such as more exit signs and bathing tubs for the children. They were assured that such issues were not within their jurisdiction and would be covered by state regulations and subject to state inspections.

“We’re trying to guide something we have no power to guide,” said Planner Rod Wright.

Board members reported on the site walk of the property they had taken Tuesday evening, the first time many of them had been inside the facility.

In other business, planners expressed concern about so-called home occupations that are really commercial businesses and should come before the board.

They also commented on newspaper articles about people planning to open businesses in town but who have not approached them. Code Enforcement Officer Brenda Medcoff said some prospective business people have approached her for guidance.

Included on a list of items on which the board needs to work are home occupations, building permits, minimum lot standards, junk in yards, fines and safety standards in the town’s ordinances.

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