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	Map Details Sex Offender Limits By Karen Nugent Telegram Gazette May 20, 2010 http://www.telegram.com/article/20100520/NEWS/5200716/-1/NEWS05 A city map depicting circles around schools where sexual offenders would not be allowed to live if a special law was enacted would rule out most of Leominster. At least 20 circles were on a map before a City Council subcommittee last night, as councilors, several of whom said they would approve such a law, pondered legal and constitutional questions, including several submitted by Ronal Madnick, director of the Worcester Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. Councilor John M. Dombrowski of the Legal Affairs subcommittee questioned if the law, which would ban Level 2 and 3 sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of a school, playground, or other places where children gather, is unconstitutional because it punishes someone twice for the same crime, violates a right to live in a family unit, and illegally drives people out of the city. The three issues were raised by Mr. Madnick in his letter, and he also pointed out that such a law would discriminate by wealth, because it would apply only to renters, not homeowners "But the appetite seems to be to do something, so we're going to do something," said Mr. Dombrowski, who is a lawyer. He cautioned that the council has not seen any real studies on repeat sexual offenders, and said he wants to avoid a costly legal battle. The council decided to submit questions to City Solicitors Kopelman & Paige asking their opinion on the effects of the map showing the 2,000-foot radiuses, which start at the property line of each school or preschool, versus a map with 1,000-foot radiuses. They also will ask about penalties for offenders found in violation of the law. The map displayed last night did not include playgrounds or day care centers. Councilor Richard M. Marchand, who said he is in favor of the petition, would consider exemptions for offenders living in the city with family, and that will also be put to the lawyers at a June 1 meeting. Councilor Claire M. Freda, a proponent of the petition since it was brought to the council in March, said she has sat for years on a committee consisting of pediatricians, child psychologists, and social workers dealing with the pedophile priest problems plaguing the Catholic Church. "It is very clear that there is no cure for this type of person. It's a grave situation with repetitive, compulsive behavior," she said. "Nobody's saying put them out of the community — just not let them live near schools." According to the state's Sex Offender Registry Board, there are 21 Level 3 offenders and 87 Level 2 offenders living in Leominster. Mrs. Freda noted that photographs and information about Level 3 offenders are online, but residents must request information on Level 2 offenders from the Police Department.
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