Rent board approves $12 monthly lot-rent increase at Hillcrest Mobile Home Park

The Rent Board held a public hearing on a petition filed by attorney Amy Lagarde on behalf of the Hillcrest Mobile Home Tenants Association asking for a $12 monthly increase in lot rent (from $348 to $360) for residents of Hillcrest Mobile Home Park. Attorney Lagarde and resident representatives said the park — an owner-occupied (resident-owned) community — faces rising costs tied to septic system upgrades, pump truck calls and increases in taxes, insurance and water charges.

Association treasurer Sharon Prowell told the board the community maintains capital-improvement reserves (about $100,000) and had spent roughly $65,100 on engineering and planning for both short- and long-term repairs to the pump station; the immediate work and a grinder to reduce pump-clogging from wipes are included in the capital plan. Petitioners said the $12 increase yields roughly $14,400 annually and they judged that modest increase necessary and reasonable given the community’s fixed-income demographic.

After public comment and questions from Select Board and Rent Board members about the scope of needed repairs, the Rent Board voted unanimously to approve the $12-per-month increase. Board staff noted documents supporting expenses and engineering estimates are available at the Rent Board office for review.