Municipality mulls trailer park solution
Residents vote for new septic system
Fetherston Mobile Home Park resident Maurice Dumoulin is hoping a deal with a private company will solve more than a decade of septic and sewage drainage problems that could force the park’s closure if left untreated.
“To me, it’s a solution. I know it’s expensive but hey, let’s get it done so nobody loses their homes,” said Dumoulin.
ASI Group, a St. Catharines company that specializes in marine, water and waste water services, is proposing the company pays to replace the park’s five septic tanks with a brand new system. The work would cost about $750,000, which residents would pay back to ASI Group in monthly instalments.
“We will be paying a user’s fee,” said Dumoulin. “It’s like renting a hot water tank.”
Dumoulin is the president of the resident-run Fetherston Park Association. He said the close to 100 people living in the park voted in favour of ASI Group’s proposal.
In early August, the municipality gave park residents 90 days to fix the septic system, amid concerns a sewage overflow or pipe failure could lead to water contamination. If residents are unable to find a solution after three months, the municipality will issue an order prohibiting occupancy, evicting the nearly 100 park residents. The chances of selling the park to a new owner are slim, as the municipality is unwilling to pay for the repairs. Getting a new system from ASI Group is the best option for saving the park, said Dumoulin. If approved, the septic tanks could be replaced in eight to 10 weeks.
“It could be done before winter. The clock right now is ticking pretty fast,” said Dumoulin.
Fees will double for residents should the park be allowed to move forward with its proposal, increasing from $200 a month to $400 a month per unit. Fetherston Park Association president Maurice Dumoulin said the more expensive payment plan is cheaper than the alternative.
“Four hundred dollars a month is not expensive, you know? You can’t rent a bedroom for $400 dollars a month.”
Problems with the park’s septic system have plagued Fetherston park for more than 10 years. The municipality of North Grenville has been looking for solutions since 2005. At one time, the municipality offered to help finance repairs if the park’s owner, J. Edwin Brown, complied with certain conditions. When Brown died and his company went bankrupt in 2008, the conditions were not met, leaving the municipality to solve the problem alone.
Dumoulin said the municipality has no interest in owning the land.
Getting the land turned over to the Fetherston Park Association requires approval from the municipality. Dumoulin and the Fetherston Park Association members were to present the proposal to the municipality’s chief administrative officer Monday afternoon. The Ministry of Environment, ASI group and the bankruptcy trustee tasked with previous owner’s case were also scheduled to attend. Requests for comment from ASI Group and the municipality of North Grenville were not returned.