A mobile home community seeking financial relief from the Mount Vernon Utilities Commission at its July 2 meeting for a large utility bill blamed on freezing pipes in winter bursting was told appeals must be submitted in writing to the Public Utilities director.
According to unofficial minutes posted on the city's website, William Buskirk made a request for relief on behalf of Joe Badalamenti, owner of Westgate Mobile Home Community. The outstanding bill had reached $12,674 before a down payment of $1,901 was made on March 10. A monthly payment plan was set at $896 for 12 months. Robin DePolo of the Mount Vernon Water and Wastewater Department said a review of the customer's account revealed a penalty of more than $1,000. DePolo told the Utilities Commission that an offer was made to extend the payment plan by one month to April 2027 to avoid causing an undue burden on the customer. No reply had been received from Badalamenti before the meeting, according to the city's meeting minutes.
DePolo also said that more than $10,866 in leak credits have been granted to Westgate Mobile Home Park since 2024. According to Safety Service Director Tanner Salyers in the meeting minutes, billing appeals must be submitted in writing to the Public Utilities director. He said the water lines are the responsibility of Westgate Mobile Home Park and that "the city supplies the water, which is the end of its responsibility," according to the same source.
In other business at the meeting, Sam Filkins, president of the Area Development Foundation of Knox County, requested approval to use non-compliant materials for water service on Centennial and Frost as part of a Habitat for Humanity project building 12 affordable houses. The state awarded grants for this project and using non-compliant lines will help manage costs. The commission approved this request.
Salyers said, some rules were due to Mount Vernon using chlorine dioxide in its treatment process, but noted that soon sodium hypochlorite would be used instead. He said moving temporarily to non-compliant lines should be safe and once the switch is made, all lines will be compliant.
