MHProNews.com reports the Meadowbrook Park manufactured housing community in Richmond, Maine was evacuated after the Richmond Utilities District turned off the water system because it was leaking, and shut down the sewer system to prevent raw sewage from leaking into a nearby stream. The state Manufactured Housing Board and local officials say owner Russell Edwards has told them he cannot afford to make repairs. Residents are repairing the systems and deducting the cost from next month’s rent. Community resident John Wilson agreed to mange the community when he moved in last year, but discovered that not only was there a long list of complaints from state and local agencies going back several years, but past contractors, maintenance workers and managers were not fully paid. Wilson had invested his own money in repairing some of the homes in anticipation of buying the community, but has since changed his mind. Richmond Utilities says Edwards owes $20,000, and the city says he is $15,000 behind in back taxes. The Maine Manufactured Housing Board will hold a hearing May 7, according to wlbz2.com. ##
