MILFORD, Del. - Residents of the Hearthstone Manor community met with state officials on Wednesday to talk about a required special assessment fee residents think they shouldn't have to pay.
Seascape, the group that manages the Hearthstone Manor property, told residents months ago that their balconies were unsafe for residents on the first, second and third floors. All balconies needed to be assessed and some might have to replaced. According to residents, each owner has to pay a $92 special assessment fee for a full year.
John McCormick, a veteran, claimed parts of the building's construction that was done years ago was faulty. He said people living in the buildings today shouldn't have to pay for it.
"I'm a 100% disabled. I don't understand at all why we have to pay this extra money. It's not our responsibility. Most of us who are elderly, we live on a pension and social security. So it's really tough for us to come up with that extra $92 a month," said McCormick.
One person has filed a complaint to the Attorney General's office. Representative Bryan Shupe encourages others to do the same.
"It is helpful if you have multiple people who want to make a complaint because you may see different sides of it, you may have different information. It really just strengthens your case for the attorney general's office," said Shupe.
The Attorney General's office said there is an ongoing investigation and it is waiting for other documentation from residents.