HAVERHILL - The city is footing the bill for an elderly woman whose house was flooded when a water main broke in front of her home - costs that may reach $15,000, said City Councilor David Hall.
"They are totally responsible," Hall said of the city. "This is open and shut. There should be no debate."
A city water main on Douglas Street burst early in the morning Nov. 4, sending a deluge of water into the basement and garage owned by 85-year-old Harriet Cadorette. The flooding broke her furnace, caused water damage and ruined her personal belongings.
Cadorette said at the time that it was the fifth time in the last few years that a water main broke outside her home. In November last year she had to replace her furnace due to a water main break and flood.
The bills include $2,000 in repairs to the furnace, $4,000 for cleanup costs, and another $6,000 to $9,000 in other expenses such as the replacement of her personal belongings, Hall said.
Mayor James Fiorentini said that the city is covering her heating bill, furnace repairs and the cleanup costs, such as hauling away her trash. No dollar figure was available from him.
"We'll make sure the city is fair to her," Fiorentini said. "This was our fault and she deserves better service than she got. ... Hopefully she's happy."
Cadorette was not available for comment.
The water main break was the latest in a series of breaks that have plagued Haverhill, as the city designs ways to replace antiquated parts of its water system.
