Summit Natural Gas of Maine said it will pay back more than 100 people who lost money to Howland-based contractor Dave Ireland Builders LLC, which abruptly closed last month.
The Portland Press Herald reported that Summit still maintains that it has no official relationship with the contractor, which accepted deposits between ranging from $1,500 to $3,000 for natural gas heating system conversions before closing down. But the utility said it hopes the reimbursement to customers will help them move forward.
Dave Ireland told the newspaper that he apologizes to customers for having to close his business down, and that he will work to get customers’ deposits back.
But, he added, Summit was to blame for the closure of his business, alleging that a delay in Summit’s installation schedule, a change in how reimbursements work for air-sealing jobs and issues with a boiler installation in Cumberland were the main culprits. He said he also lost money answering phone calls for customers who couldn’t reach Summit.
Summit said it would not respond to the allegations.
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