City to issue demand letter if deadline blown

If developer Dan Bellows doesn’t pay Maitland $39,000 by Nov. 4, the city will send a demand letter that could lead to a water shutoff at the Lakes at Maitland Condominiums.

At Monday’s meeting, City Council unanimously approved to send the demand letter and some expressed relief that the struggle with the Ravaudage developer seemed to be coming to a close.

“Just a month ago it seemed like several said they didn’t know anything about this and now it’s solved,” Councilman Phil Bonus said, thanking staff members.

Bellows owed $50,000 in overdue utility charges. The city made several attempts to work with him to negotiate credits for spikes in sewer usage related to leaks. But the developer did not provide the necessary documentation.

Last week, he did provide that. Sharon Anselmo, Maitland’s management services director, said she met with Bellows on Oct. 19 and he said he would pay the delinquent bills now that a lawsuit has been resolved with the former property owner.

“He said that they settled the lawsuit with the prior owner and the funds would be available in 10 days,” Anselmo said Monday.

Bellows handed over work orders related to the water leaks, and the city issued him a nearly $10,000 credit on his account. He also said eight of the 12 units in the complex are vacant so the city has disconnected them.

The $39,310 due on Friday, Nov. 4, is utility use from January to August. His September bill of almost $10,000 became overdue on Oct. 11.