Bath, New York 14810
March 7, 2001

Congressman Amory Houghton
Allison Giles, Chief of Staff
Committee of Ways and Means
U.S. House of Representatives
1102 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515

Re: Mobile Home Gas Heat Assessment Increase

Dear Congressman Amory Houghton,

Referencing your 03/03/01 article in "The Leader" captioned "Amos's hearing seeks ways to ease heat woes," we submit the following for your consideration.

In Lake Country Estates Mobile Home community in Bath, N.Y. there are 113 units heated by Bath Municipal Utilities Natural Gas. 99% of these occupants are senior citizens on fixed incomes. These units are not individually metered, but the owner of the mobile home community assesses gas. The heat assessment is as follows:

Many of the tenants living in the 113 gas heated units have applied fir HEAP and again have been penalized for not being metered. The maximum HEAP benefit allowed because of this is $50.00/year per unit. As tenants we all own our units and rent the space only.

Attached is a copy of the letter we recently received from the owner of Lake Country Estates.

We, the tenants anticipated an increase but feel this increased assessment to be excessive and inequitable. We would appreciate ANY help you could give us.

Sincerely yours,

Patricia Eaton
Tenant

LAKE COUNTRY ESTATES, INC.
EAST WASHINGTON STREET
BATH, NY 14810
February 13, 2001

Eaton. P
17 BIRCH
LAKE COUNTRY ESTATES
BATH, NY 14810

Reference: NINETY DAY NOTICE OF
ASSESSMENT. RENTAL FEES
FOR LAKE COUNTRY ESTATES
MANUFACTURERED HOUSING COMMUNITY

Dear Tenant;

We are sorry to inform you, that effective June 1. 2001 the Assessment/Rental Fee for 17 BIRCH will have a increase of $60. Your rent will be $328.06 for June. (June will still be under STAR) July rent will be with the increase $344.77.

The increase is due to the excessive increase in heating cost. Anyone heating with gas this winter has been aware of the rising cost around us. Unfortunately, we here at Lake Country Estates have not been immune to the increase. The rising cost has not passed us by. Lake Country Estates, has enjoyed the low affordable prices of BEG&W for sometime. This apparently is all in the past. BEG&W has said the price may still yet increase. If this is so, We would like you to prepared for yet another increase in January or sooner. Maybe we will be lucky and the prices will stabilize and drop off. If this is so, maybe we also will be able to have a drop off in price. The gas prices have doubled in cost per unit used since last near. The only way to regulate each homes heating cost would be to have individual meters installed. Management has asked for individual metering. At this time the utility company does not feel they can do this. Call or write, to BEG&W, express your concern for the need of individual meters for your gas. This is the only way for you to regulate your own individual heating cost and usage.

Rent received in the office prior to 4:00 P.M. on the 5th of the month is eligible for a $10.00 discount. Rent trust be paid IN THE CORRECT AMOUNT to be eligible for the discount. Rent that is mailed. should be post marked by the 3rd to take advantage of the discount. After the 15th of the month your gross rent is subject to a 5% late fee.

Respectfully;

Paul J. Wilson III