OAKLAND (WGME) – A central Maine town has disbanded a committee that looked after mobile home park residents.
The Town of Oakland says the committee was originally formed to help residents worried about rent increases and maintenance problems.
It was dissolved after just a few months. Town Manager Kelly Pinney-Michaud says tensions were running too high after its last meeting with park residents escalated.
“They’re not bringing solutions. They’re only bringing demands and complaints,” Pinney-Michaud said. “The committee itself is too big. There’s high emotions. I feel it’s not a productive use of my time.”
In a committee report sent to CBS13, Pinney-Michaud says the committee had some success, including paving a park road, resolving sewer issues and getting one park its own dumpster. But the report claims the town would be more productive if she helped owners and residents on a one-on-one basis.
A central Maine town has disbanded a committee that looked after mobile home park residents. (WGME)
As it stands, the town passed a mobile home park rent increase moratorium. That will expire August 1. But by then, a new state law takes effect. It will prohibit lot owners from raising the rent more than once per year and requires a minimum of 90 days notice before rent hikes.
But Town Councilor Kelly Roderick worries that residents are losing their voice with the town.
“They’re the most vulnerable population we have,” Roderick said. “Those people may become homeless or forced to move away where they can afford housing. Housing is expensive, we all know that. These poor people, this is the only housing they can afford. And it is becoming quickly unaffordable for them.”
Roderick is concerned they could be left behind.
A central Maine town has disbanded a committee that looked after mobile home park residents. (WGME)
“They’re not like apartment renters where if the rent goes too high, you just look for a cheaper apartment. You pack up your stuff and you go. Many of them own those homes. So moving the home is not cost effective for them to do that. It costs thousands of dollars,” Roderick said.
Pinney-Michaud says there will be a public hearing on Wednesday night to discuss an ordinance which would address safety and property maintenance concerns from residents. It is a first draft reading set for 5:30 p.m.