Politics & Government

Leadership Battle Clouds Mobile Park Sewer Issue

The health board agreed to discuss the issue again at its October meeting.

A Route 9 mobile home park's town-mandated connection to Westborough's sewer system is caught in a power struggle at the park.

Several Wayside Mobile Home Park residents told the Westborough Board of Health on Tuesday night that they have elected new officers for the Turnpike Park Cooperative Inc., which governs the park at 165 Turnpike Road.

However, they added, Paul Dorr, who has represented the residents as the cooperative's president, does not recognize the new leadership and won't let them see the park's finances.

The health board agreed to discuss the issue again at its October meeting.

In the meantime, new park President Scott Knox should be be "constantly in touch" with Director of Public Health Paul McNulty with "every new step that happens," health board member Priscilla Federici said.

"This is a serious situation. To me, it's an accident waiting to happen," she said.

In July, the board required the park to have a signed sewer connection construction agreement, and new ekections, for the board's July meeting.

Otherwise, Director of Public Health Paul McNulty would be directed to seek court-ordered receivership for the park, to accomplish the job.

The park has a failing septic system, but had five years to connect to the Westborough sewer system, McNulty has said. The five-year window closed in May.

In July, Dorr presented the health board with a signed proposal, dated June 7, from Northboro Septic Service, estimating the project's cost at $627,275. The work would begin on March 1, 2014 and end by Nov. 1.

Dorr did not attend Tuesday night's meeting.

"Mr. Dorr refuses to see us as a viable board," Knox said.

"Where we stand now, we have to get a lawyer and we have to fight him. When we are a viable board, we will have the means to get this project started."

Health board member Dr. Nathan Walsh said that"it does sound like there's progress being made."

Walsh also said he was not certain when the leadership issue will be resolved.

"A receivership is going to give us a very clear person that we can hold accountable," he said.

 


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