Week 8: Mother’s Day. We have owned 29 West Street for 8 Weeks and I have turned 65. I am the proud owner of a Medicare card, two ranch houses and wonderful labrador. It has been cloudy or rained every day since April 29th. We have made much progress and had a few major setbacks at the house.
Setback 1: On April 27th the Newtown Borough Zoning Board consisting of 5 elected officials denied our petition for a Zoning Variance. We requested 10 ft into the setback for placement of a 2 car garage. The setback is 25 ft. While this may seem minimal it isn’t. Getting a two car garage on the site is not looking promising. We did not demonstrated Hardship. The neighbors weren’t opposed. It is a wooded border that would have had a small corner of a garage jutting into it. I have been extremely depressed about the outcome. They did not acknowledge our hard work to turn a blighted property around or welcome us to the Borough or say anything remotely kind. Not sure what to do next. Appeal the decision which means more money and court or try and reapply.
Setback 2: Bringing electric to the house underground was the plan. We currently have a very low hanging wire coming from across the street. I knew it would be some effort negotiating the utility system. I have been working with Eversource, Frontier who owns the pole and our electrician. Last week I found out that Frontier will charge me $3800 to put in a pole on my side of the street so I can then go underground. I was prepared to bear the cost as it is choice. That is a 500% mark up on the cost. I was discouraged because that amount is not in my budget.
Progress in spite of the rain: in between rain storms and clouds our footings got poured, the walls are in, forms stripped and waterproofed. I had the bilco dropped in and backfill started on last friday May 5th. It was a huge push and all happened before torrential.
The walls are up, the new basement floor is poured, the rear drainage is hooked up with footing drains and we are looking like a potential house. I have reached a low point and don’t want to look at the property anymore. We are minus of large amounts of cash enough for a few cruises and all I feel is enormous discouragement. I want to be positive again but can’t. The Gila monster is green, it is in my yard and WON’T GO AWAY!!!
Our last dance... 