By K.B. Sherman, Contributing Writer
Grafton – Nancy Carlson, president of The Suburban Group job placement company, appeared before the Grafton Board of Selectmen March 1 to ask for rent relief. Her claim was that after seven months of ongoing construction and renovating at 1 Grafton Common, her business has been harmed and she has suffered a loss of revenue while incurring significant difficulties.
According to Carlson, her business requires constant phone work, made very difficult with all the noise, dirt, holes in walls and floor, and continuing construction. She said that everything in the office is covered with grit and the staff must keep washing their hands and cleaning everything. Power outages and stuff flying in through the windows is an added problem.
“Timeliness is critical in recruiting,” she said. “Our business requires a level of trust with candidates and employers. We are experiencing a loss of professionalism and we have already lost one employee.”
Carlson then formally requested a rent reduction for the time the construction project has been ongoing, but added that she has not paid rent since July 2015 because, as she said, she has not had full use of her suite. She noted that her lease agreement requires the town to provide “a clean, healthy work environment.”
That she had not paid rent since last July came as a surprise to the selectmen, who asked Town Administrator Timothy McInerny if he was responsible for ensuring rents at 1 Grafton Common were paid on time. McInerny replied that there was some confusion regarding such a measure, and added that there is a provision in town law regarding how a tenant may request a rent delay or adjustment.
Carlson then asked if the town had a responsibility to keep her suite clean during the renovation, to which McInerny replied that her suite suffered no more from dirt and debris than those of other tenants. Carlson countered by saying that during the entire construction project, no one had come to her suite to check on damages and dirt caused by the renovations.
“Dust rains down on us all day and night,” she exclaimed.
When asked, Carlson said that she estimates that her business has lost $60,000 to $80,000 due to the construction.
Selectman Dennis Flynn made a motion to cut tenants’ rent by 60 percent since the construction began in July, stating that tenants have put up with a lot of aggravation. This proposal was seconded by Bruce Spinney.
At this point, Brook Padgett noted that the town has a 2009 policy for this situation and he suggested the board read it before proceeding.
A vote was then taken and the motion failed 4-1.
Selectmen Chair Craig Dauphinais asked Carlson to obtain a copy of the rent policy and that the board would then proceed from there regarding her request. They also requested that the rent be paid up to date.
