Several families have not had water for as many as six weeks
Contractors are currently checking for leaks and other problems on a new water storage tank.
POLAND – Some mobile home park residents are complaining that they have been without water for weeks and want town officials to help.
About a dozen residents showed up Thursday during a Board of Selectmen special meeting, which was scheduled for review and signing of town warrant articles.
They complained of lack of water and of residue showing up in their fixtures. One couple was there with their two second-grade children, who had been showering at their school. The family would not give their names but said that they had not had water for six weeks.
Carolyn Johnson, principal at Poland Community School, confirmed that a couple of students had been taking showers at the school. Staff also has provided families with minimal help with laundry, said Johnson.
“We’ve said to the kids that they could come and use the showers in the gym if they wanted to,” said Johnson. “We want them feeling clean and comfortable and not worrying about things out of the control of children.”
However, most of the 29 families in the Northern Spring Trailer Park on Poland Corner Road currently do have water, said park owner Linda Welch.
The problem has been lack of water pressure. Contractors have been working since the initial complaints came in early March to accommodate residents, said Welch.
Scott Hodgdon of Hodgdon Well Drilling told selectmen Thursday that a new water storage tank had been installed recently and contractors are currently checking for leaks and other problems. One of the four wells serving the park has run dry.
Hodgdon attributed some of the well problems to residents running their water continuously to avoid pipes freezing during the winter. He also noted that the current water system is about 30 years old and without accurate records of where water lines lie.
Orrin Welch said that he and his wife bought the park two years ago and have been trying to upgrade the system since.
Park resident Mike Cribbin stood up for the current owners as being responsive to resident complaints.
Cribbin has lived in the same mobile home for the past 25 years.
“There have been quite a few owners here,” said Cribbin. “The Welches have been the best ones we’ve had so far.”
Linda Welch said the work that started last month has cost about $18,000 so far. Her husband added that some families have stopped paying rent while the water problems exist. The park owners also asked town officials for help.
“I feel that this is a situation that some families are taking advantage of,” said Orrin Welch. “There is a bottom to our pockets. If they’re not happy with the service, they can go elsewhere. Without any help, I don’t stand a chance, and I’ll just have to close the park down.”
Board member Pat Nash suggested that the owners contact state officials for possible grants to improve or replace the water system. She added that Poland Spring Water Corp. often provides free water in emergencies.
“The good news is that it’s not being ignored,” said board member Lionel Ferland.
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