Residents of an East Greenville apartment complex have gone multiple weeks without heat. In December, borough officials learned that part of the Willows, located at 401 West Fourth St., was not providing heat for some of its residents.

            Approximately one quarter of the residential units were affected, according to Mary French, president of the Ingerman Management Company. In an email received late Tuesday afternoon, she wrote that the missing part to fix the heaters would arrive on Wednesday, Feb. 4.

            "The primary focus right now is on ensuring the safety and comfort of this community with clear communication to every impacted resident," French wrote.

            On Jan. 29, council cited the property owner for violating East Greenville's property maintenance code. A letter, posted on the inside set of doors at the apartment's main entrance, references two ordinances: failure to provide and maintain mechanical and electrical facilities and failure to provide heating facilities that maintains a room temperature of 68 degrees.

            French claimed the community's new ownership – identified by French as MRK Partners, Inc, a company based in Los Angeles, Cal. – became aware of the heating situation the afternoon of Thursday, January 29, the day it assumed ownership. According to the Ingerman executive, the company immediately offered comprehensive hotel accommodations and meal assistance to every resident.

            She wrote that five of the affected 21 residents have accepted that offer. According to French, the offer remains open and available should their needs change.

            A Jan. 21 submission to the Town and Country's website claimed the impacted residents received one or two space heaters, depending on the size of their apartments, approximately two-and-a-half weeks after the issues commenced. Since then, nothing else has been done, according to the information from the respondent, identified only as Lady A. She did not return an email message seeking further details.

            According to the borough manager, the complex utilizes a Samsung high-efficiency system that appears to be complicated and complex. One system supplies multiple apartments and spaces, according to his email message.

            After checking the property, Fry claims he was informed that repairs were done and the heat was working. In an email message received Jan. 30, the manager wrote that he received a few more complaints from tenants within the last two weeks.

            Fry stated that he was told crews at the community replaced three compressors, then multiple sensors, then a control board. The heat was working that day, according to the manager.

             According to French's email message, each of the families that opted to relocate to the hotel has access to free continental breakfast and was provided gift cards to offset take-out dining that might be necessary during this time. French wrote that all affected units have received high-efficiency space heaters to ensure safe internal temperatures.

            Additionally, Ingerman staff is conducting temperature checks twice a day and monitoring residents' well-being. Flyers were posted in the affected wing with emergency numbers and contact information should residents need access to management during non-business hours. It states the building's common areas remain fully heated and staffed, serving as a warm, safe hub for the community.

            Municipal officials are scheduled to inspect the Willows every three years, according to Fry, who serves as the borough's code enforcement officer. On Aug. 1, 2024, he claims to have identified a faulty smoke alarm, a sink trap problem, and a faulty GFCI receptacle. He wrote that a reinspection found the items to be corrected.