Saco council extends moratorium on mobile-home park rent increases after residents raise concerns

Deputy Mayor Joshua d Parks presided as the Saco City Council voted unanimously on Feb. 9 to extend a temporary emergency moratorium on mobile home park lot rent increases, continuing protections while residents and the park owner work toward a mediated agreement.

The moratorium — presented by Councilor Johnston as a third temporary emergency measure — would prohibit lot rent increases from adoption until the ordinance expires on or before April 10, 2026 unless reenacted or repealed. Johnston said the extension allows time for the owner and the Blue Haven resident committee to seek a negotiated resolution.

The action followed an extended public-comment period in which several residents of Blue Haven Mobile Home Park described financial strain and concerns about a mediation process. "It was an experience that left me feeling misled, unprotected, and taken advantage of," said Sarah Giles Gardner of 17 Pinesford Street, who told the council that during a Jan. 26 mediation her ADA accommodation requests were not honored and that paperwork contained language not discussed at the session.

Other residents offered similar accounts. Linda Daniels, who lives at 31 Pheasant Road, said a $145 monthly rent increase would be unaffordable on her household's Social Security income. Hope Lambert said she declined to sign an agreement she received on Feb. 6 because the agreement and its summary contained inconsistent or unclear language and cited a date she believed to be a typo.

Representing the park owner, attorney Richard Bryant said the owners had tried to cooperate in mediation and that parties had finalized a form of agreement. Bryant said the agreement contained three conditions for implementation as of March 1: at least 51% of households in the park must sign; the city must rescind the moratorium by that date; and no municipal or state law may prevent implementation. Bryant said committee counsel informed him the committee had achieved a "substantial number of signatures" and that he hoped to report exact numbers at the council's Feb. 23 meeting.

Council debate stressed the need for additional time and broader policy consideration. Councilor Doyle supported the extension and said the situation underscores the need to consider a citywide rent-stabilization ordinance. Councilor Gale urged attention to underlying issues beyond the immediate rent increase.

On a roll-call vote, the council approved the motion to extend the moratorium 6–0.

The council did not rescind the moratorium at the Feb. 9 meeting; members said they could revisit the item on Feb. 23 if the parties achieved the conditions described by the owner's counsel.

The council meeting packet and future agendas will record any subsequent evidence of resident signatures and related motions. The owner’s counsel indicated he would update the council at the Feb. 23 meeting.