Westgate representative asks Mount Vernon Utilities Commission for wastewater-billing leniency after January pipe bursts

William Ostermiller, representing Westgate mobile home park, asked the Mount Vernon Utilities Commission on Feb. 6 to consider leniency on the wastewater portion of the park’s January bill after repeated frozen-pipe breaks and repair work.

Ostermiller said the park experienced multiple leaks during an arctic cold spell in January and that some tenants left for vacation without winterizing units, which led to burst lines. “We had a leak on January 4, which we addressed and got fixed, then another on January 5, then another on January 6… then right after that arctic blast went through,” Ostermiller said. He told commissioners he purchased a 50,000 BTU heater, paid out of pocket for emergency repairs and that much of the water “ended up going onto the ground,” increasing wastewater billing for the account.

The…