Council backs requiring parks with hydrants to follow local inspection standards after East Hartford incident

A proposed statute to require mobile/manufactured-home parks to adopt inspection programs for on-site fire hydrants and utility poles drew general support during the council's special meeting.

Council member Liz summarized the proposal as prompted by safety concerns, referencing an East Hartford propane-related incident. "The proposal was prompted by safety concern," she said when introducing the item and asked for discussion on standards and practical implementation.

Members agreed that parks with hydrants should follow the inspection and testing interval used by the local water utility (for example, periodic flushing and pressure testing requirements), rather than a bespoke or more frequent regime. Park owners noted many parks run on private wells and do not have hydrants, and said municipal and utility responsibilities differ. Owners also emphasized enforcement and clear assignment of responsibility to ensure inspections occur.

One park resident recounted that hydrants in some parks have gone unflushed or untested for decades and described minimal offers of remedial maintenance during prior conciliation. Council members said aligning park obligations with existing municipal or utility protocols would be a practical first step.

Next steps: Council did not adopt formal rulemaking language but directed that follow-up work be scheduled and that owners and municipal utilities discuss logistics and funding for inspections where hydrants exist.