Saugus board looks to sink water problem

SAUGUS – The Board of Selectmen took aim Wednesday at solving the sewer bill issue for a Route 1 mobile home park, but the solution won’t come cheap.The board voted to have environmental attorney George Hailer draw up a plan for developments of three or more units using only one meter to monitor water use to switch to individual meters funded in part by the town.When asked what he thought of the vote, park resident Bob Arbo asked, “What was the question?”Arbo, like many residents at the meeting, was left confused as to what exactly was happening. The only thing they knew for sure was they were not going to have any relief on the increase for the last billing cycle, which is what they were hoping for.The water/sewer bill for 846 Broadway Mobile Home Park jumped from $25,000 to $103,000 after billing methods were changed. The change was supposed to give low-end water users a financial break but it had the opposite effect on the park, which uses one meter for all 71 homes.Board members have been trying to devise a way to alleviate the $79 per park homeowner rate hike, but residents said they learned Wednesday they would have to pay the increase.”We cannot abate this,” said Selectman Michael Kelleher, who has been the driving force in trying to help the park residents. “There is no legal way to abate this bill.”After looking at several options, Kelleher said he felt installing individual meters at the park would best resolve the issue, but the bigger picture shows that the mobile home park is not the only development affected by the rate change.Town Meeting member Peter Manoogian said there were 109 multi-unit developments that used one meter and if the option were extended to the park for individual meters it would have to be extended to everyone.Kelleher agreed. Since all homeowners received new water meters through a town-wide program funded through a bond, Kelleher said the park and same-suited developments should have the same option.It cost the town $205 per home to purchase and install the new meters.Kelleher suggested they use the funds left over to pay for meters for the mobile homes and other similar establishments. The park owner would still be responsible for considerable costs because there will be a need for excavation to install the meters.Residents were mixed on the plan.Lou Daddario said he thought by the time all was said and done the project would cost residents more.Marie Brooks said she thought some positive did come from the meeting, but is still concerned about her bills going up.”My rate has gone up $135 in the last year,” she said, adding that includes rent and water. “It’s doubled and I have a mortgage.”Paul LeGrow, who was representing the park owners, didn’t disagree. He warned residents that even with a new meter, it is unlikely their bills would go down significantly.”No one should leave this room thinking the problem has gone away,” he said. “I agree with individual meters but the bill is not going away.”