The fate of a group home for the mentally ill poised to open at 7 Lynne Road could be determined by the decision of a civil court judge within the next couple of weeks.

The Beaver Meadows Homeowners' Association, which covers cul-de-sacs Lynne Road and Bachant Way in Swifts Beach, sought court action because Acushnet-based builder Jeff White did not get the association's permission before renovating the home. Members say the addition he put on the house broke the neighborhood's covenants.

During a court hearing on August 24, the Beaver Meadows Homeowners' Association was told a ruling on the home would be reached within the next couple of weeks, according to homeowners' association member Sean Murphy. He said no specific date was given.

On June 28, a civil court judge ruled that no one is to occupy the home except for White, who owns the home, and his immediate family until the case could be heard on July 19. That hearing was pushed to August 8 and then to August 24.

White has been renovating the home since the spring. He plans to lease it to Rhode Island-based Fellowship Health Resources, Inc. Fellowship officials say they plan to open a six-bed "therapeutic respite program" for patients with mental illnesses and disorders. Patients would live at the home for anywhere from a week to 30 days.

Neighbors have steadfastly opposed the group home, saying they are concerned for their safety.

The group home was scheduled to open on July 1.