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Blue Haven mediation hinges on 51% resident approval; council to consider moratorium timeline
Summary
An attorney for Blue Haven Mobile Home Park said a mediated agreement needs signatures from 51% of households to implement a Dec. 1 rent increase (offset by credits) on March 1; council will review moratorium timing and may act at its Feb. 9 meeting.
SACO, Maine ' Attorney Richard Bryant, representing Blue Haven MHP LLC, told the Saco City Council on Monday that a mediation agreement reached Jan. 26 with residents requires approval by 51% of households before it can be implemented.
Bryant said the parties have negotiated offsets in the form of monthly credits tied to a December rent increase that was noticed in August. "Effectively, this agreement would implement the December 1 rent increase that was noticed back in August," he said, and added the group expects to present finalized materials to residents for signature quickly.
Bryant said three conditions must be met for a March 1 implementation: (1) approval by 51% of resident households; (2) the current municipal moratorium on rent changes must be rescinded by the council (he identified Feb. 23 as the council meeting deadline to do so); and (3) there cannot be any intervening municipal or state law that prevents initial implementation.
Public commenters raised questions about ownership verification and transparency for the agreement. Hope Lambert, a volunteer with the residents' committee, said the committee needs proof of ownership percentages before signing and asked for a moratorium extension to allow time to verify who holds legal authority to approve the deal.
Council members said they expect to take up moratorium timing at the Feb. 9 meeting; staff previously indicated the emergency moratorium is set to expire Feb. 13 unless the council extends it.
What's next: If residents deliver the required signatures and the council rescinds the moratorium in time, the parties hope the agreement could take effect March 1; otherwise the timeline will shift.
