By Joseph Edgerton
Staff Writer

A group opposing the cooperative ownership of Medford Farms and the Village at Glen Falls in Goffstown has written a letter to bring residents over to their side.

Roger Buxton, a resident who would rather see the parks owned and operated by Hometown America, has previously criticized the Medvil Cooperative Association, saying it fails to represent the interests of residents.

“I'm trying to tell the truthful side of what comes out from the meetings,” he said. “Even the people who have gone to the meetings say some of the things they're telling us just aren't there.”

Among Buxton's concerns is the unanticipated cost of repairs and improvements, or “pass throughs,” which he said Hometown America is prepared to absorb and the Medvil Cooperative Association is not.

“If there is a large emergency spending, we are all going to pay, and pay for years at that,” he said. “Hometown America has a fund for emergencies that will not come out of our hides. We will all have to pay for tax increases one way or another, but not for roads, septic tank, leach fields, or oil tank removal and cleanup as long as Hometown is in control.”

Buxton said an emergency fund has been established by Hometown America, and is collected by taking 1 percent of the income of their more than 200 parks.

Paul Bradley, vice president of the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund, said residents shouldn't be convinced by Hometown America's word.

“What Hometown America does behind the scenes is anyone 's guess. The Medvil Cooperative Association can pass throug extraordinary capital improvement expenses, but they need the majority vote of the cooperative members to raise rent,” he said. “The cooperative also has built in reserves to cover the cost of capital improvement expenditures.”

To date, the NHCLF has funded approximately 50 of the 72 resident-owned communities in the state, and said some have achieved total ownership of the parks.

As part of a purchase-andsales agreement, seller Beverly Kilmartin Marion has agreed to cap the rent increase at no more than $15 per month for the first two years and no more than 6 percent per month for years three and four.

Bradley was unable to give exact figures, but said the reserves would be “well over six figures in the first year, and close to that amount in years two through five,” and that the NHCLF requires such money to be set aside from rent payments.

Another source of conflict between members and nonmembers of the Medvil Cooperative Association is ownership of the land. Buxton and others said residents will never own the land on which their homes are built, because the parks will be collectively owned by the cooperative.

“The homeowners who become co-op members will be able to buy a share in the corporation that owns the land,” said Bradley. “It's no different than having a pool at a condominium complex, because nobody directly owns the pool. The condominium owner's association owns the pool, but everyone has an equal right to it.”

Buxton is concerned about himself and other residents who chose not to join the cooperative. “We know that Medvil will not let all the residents vote, which would help eliminate the rift between neighbors,” he said. “We're encouraging the members to think about the whole park and what makes sense to the welfare of all the residents.”

Members of the Medvil Cooperative Association will vote on whether to collectively own the parks or convey ownership to Hometown America. As of Dec. 28, the purchase of the parks was scheduled to be completed in approximately three months.

A ratification by buyer membership states that such a vote will occur on or before seven days prior to the closing date. Buxton said a vote to set bylaws and approve a nine member board will take place on March 4, and on March 11 there will be a vote on whether to buy the parks.

“If the voters say no on March 11, according to the contract there is nothing the members of the cooperative can do to own the park,” he said. “If the members say no, the owners can do what they want, which will be Hometown America. It's a better deal.”