When the community was built in 1997, the township had a verbal agreement that it would furnish the meters and do the billing, figuring that would cover the costs of maintaining and reading the meters. However, the meters are in pits in the ground that flood, and the high water makes them susceptible to malfunctioning, which in turn requires constant maintenance, according to lenconnect.
Other nearby MHCs, including Hidden River North, also owned by Inspire Commuities, as MHProNews has learned, have a master meter. Madison Township Treasurer Janet Bovee said, “Looking back, we should have required this in the beginning. We really only need an easement to install the master meter pit. We have agreed to bear the cost of installing the meter.”
Fred Lucas, the attorney for the township, and The Daily Telegram both report they have reached out to Hidden River South management without response.
For the estimated 50 ft. X 50 ft. plot of land to install the master meter the township has to appraise the land in order to offer the correct amount for the property, and then go through condemnation/eminent domain to obtain right of way, if management objects. Lucas said the actual battle is over how Hidden River will be billed, not over land.
MHProNews understands Hidden River will then have to figure out how to bill their residents. The cost of installing the master meter is estimated at $40,000.
“I will try to get hold of someone at Hidden River, the owners, and say, ‘Look, it’s coming down the pipe,’ ” Lucas said of the township moving forward on getting the land. “You can either get on board or not get on board, but you know it’s going to happen no matter what.”
California-based Inspire Communities operates 36 manufactured home communities in 13 states, according to their website. Local officials say Hidden River South has plans to expand the community within two years by 100 homes. ##
(Photo credit: lenconnect/Lonnie Hohman- Hidden Valley MHC, Adrian, Mich)
