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Director Pinto offered to meet with the Health Department in an effort to assist Mr. and Mrs. Capobianco with their son's problem, and Chairman Macht stated that they will try to work it out. Rim Conant, 1875 6th Avenue Southwest, stated that most of the families in the area cannot afford the assessment or the possible cost to hire a plumber, plus a monthly water bill. The majority of the children in the area are either on a subsidized or free lunch program and the residents are scared and angry. They are under the impression that the Utilities Department will put liens on their properties and enforce the liens for this service, which is not needed or wanted. They are all concerned that if, for whatever reason, they cannot pay the assessment, they could lose their homes. Ms. Conant felt that communication with the residents was not appropriately handled as some residents did not receive notification until Monday, March 6, 1995 regarding the informational meeting being held that evening. There were a few who did not receive notification until after that date. The residents feel their water is safe and cannot understand why.the County would force them to have water lines without forcing them to connect to the lines. They are also questioning how safe municipal water might be. Ms. Conant stated that she sees a lot of people who have County water in their homes standing in line at the water machine at Publix. She moved to Vero Beach Highlands to get away from County water and the majority of residents said they would not have built there if the house had been connected to County water. Their water is fine and they don't need or want County water and they are asking the County to please review the proposal. Commissioner Eggert asked Ms. Conant to please define "access fee" as she is using it, and Ms. Conant explained it is the fee to run the lines, the assessment. Mr. Chastain stated that he had learned the informational letters that were mailed February 28th and March 1st, by certified mail, return receipt requested, were not delivered by the postal service until March 6th. They had never experienced such poor postal service before. He knows that many residents, however, received notification on March 1st because he had many calls. Normally notices sent in this manner are received in 2-3 days and this is the first time he has ever experienced a week's delay in mail delivery. Bryan Woodrow, 1346 17th Place Southwest, advised that he moved to Vero Beach Highlands because there was no County water and now he is being assessed. It is going to cost him $4,000-$4,500 to Boa 94 Y., -Jr MARCH 21, 1995 27 653