Council discusses large delinquent sewer/refuse balances at Shadowstone mobile-home park

Councilors were briefed on an increase in long-standing delinquent sewer and refuse accounts and discussed collection challenges tied to manufactured-home lots in the Shadowstone development. Borough staff reported that five properties in Shadowstone carry a combined balance greater than $17,000 and that in some cases the borough cannot place liens on lots because the manufactured-home residents do not own the lots, which are owned by the mobile-home park. Staff said they are working with the borough solicitor to determine whether an encumbrance can be placed on titles; meanwhile, the borough is pursuing writs for three of the highest-balance accounts, and one account is moving toward foreclosure (possibly December). The borough manager told council that, overall, of about 3,000 sewer/refuse accounts, only 44 accounts have outstanding balances over $1,000. The borough considers an account delinquent if its balance exceeds $2.21 per quarter; roughly 278 accounts exceed that threshold (many from the current billing period), and 24 accounts carry balances over $2,000. Council members discussed practical constraints of recovering arrears where the lot is owned by the park and observed that manufactured homes themselves have titles and could theoretically be targeted; staff said seizure and auction of household goods is an option legally but not one they intend to pursue. Why it matters: The collection challenges concentrate in a small number of accounts but represent a persistent revenue and enforcement issue for the borough and may require solicitor-driven remedies or foreclosure processes for resolution. Next steps: Staff will continue pursuing writs and foreclosure where appropriate and will report back as solicitor research yields options for encumbrances or alternate collection remedies.