TheCapeBlog

The good news is that the assessor agreed to reduce the value of the house by $50k, effective next tax year.

The bad news is that the Building Department is still on a tear about permits and construction personnel.

The assessor listened to me rant on the phone. He was sympathetic.

Ryan spent some time here yesterday to check out the bedroom and basement work. He said the basement is fine, doesn’t need braces, but the floor project needs to be redone. He’s concerned about the low ceiling and how high the floor can reasonably be built.

I think replacing the existing light and fan with a lower profile model would be a good idea. Ryan is correct, the room is less than seven feet high now.

Postponed delivery of the carpet.

I filled out two permits, one for electric and one for the cellar door. Joe was here. Cement block is in place for the door.

We found the recycling center, just down the street on Mass Ave. They have a machine that counts big loads: a feature we haven’t seen before.

Took route 2 to 8 on impulse from North Adams; found Hairpin Turn. Enjoyed the ride to and from Pittsfield through Adams and Cheshire. Ron was suitably enthused about the views, perhaps because we were on the hunt for Grand Macnish.

After getting advice on possible retail locations from a distributor in Downing Industrial Park, we ended up at a good-sized liquor store on Dalton Ave. They didn’t have Macnish so we bought a different brand of Scotch; hope we like it.

We were “done” after getting back.

I started prepping lunch before I left to close the credit union. Made up one of the HelloFresh packages, and it was VERY good!

It’s 10 degrees outside.

Ron got his license in the mail today.

After mistakenly stopping at our branch, I closed on my loan at the North Adams Greylock Credit Union.

The building inspector and building commissioner claimed that the work that’s been done here doesn’t meet code – even work done by the local franchise of a national company, Mr. Rooter.

They told Dave and me that work had to stop until we could find a licensed contractor to supervise.

The inspector sent an email confirming that the basement carpentry work didn’t meet code, so Joe had to stop with floor reinforcement. He fixed the kitchen drawer and replaced the furnace filter.

Ron and I did a transfer station, credit union and Stop & Shop run.

He continued his usual griping about living in a “fixer” and “house in shreds”.

Terminix inspector came and went.

Everyone is dreading the upcoming cold blast.

Plumbers took care of two projects yesterday and turned off the water to the sillcock in the garage. It was stupidly connected to the kitchen, in their view, “the worst way to do this.” What a surprise.

They replaced the sillcock on the side yard with a no-freeze one and shut off the water. It won’t be fun to turn it back on, we’ll need their help in the spring, but I’m relieved that we are prepared for the freezing cold predicted for this week.

They also replaced the main water shutoff. Fortunately, the job went well and they didn’t have to bring in another machine, which would have almost doubled the cost.

Yesterday an assessor visited at my invitation. The “sunroom” had not been on their radar. He strongly suggested that I pull a permit for the carpentry work on the second floor and the electrical work.

I left a message for the building inspector. After a very civil chat, he’s dropping by today to check things out. This was a surprise since no one thought a permit was needed.

Meanwhile, Pete will pull a permit this morning for the electrical work.

Dave’s renovation license is not the right type for this project. He can get an HIC registration, but it takes time to process. I’m not concerned about his know-how or the quality of his work.

I asked the building inspector to check if permits have been pulled in the past. Bet they haven’t.

I ordered carpeting for the guest bedroom and hallway from a store in Bennington. Nice ride back and forth, snow flurries on the way home.

Dropped off our lunch to-go order for February at the senior center.

Ron cooked! The HelloFresh shipment arrived in time for supper. He prepared stuffed peppers and was nice enough to clean up afterwards, too. Very welcome after a busy and mildly stressful day.

Furnace problem was a minor one: the safety switch was out, either pulled out or fell out.

I am SO GLAD to have heat again!

Last night, I was pretty discouraged about this house, feeling overwhelmed by the number of decisions that have been and will need to be made, the problems that keep coming up and the drain on savings.

According to this blog, I was down on Mashpee as early as January 2004. That means I’d stuck it out for at least 19 years. I only hope Williamstown and Henderson Road also don’t break my heart.

Ryan and the other “suns” worked on the roof yesterday, said the job is about half done. We have shingles on part of the roof.

Dave and Devin put down several sheets of plywood.

Got a call from an attorney at the DPU. She’s had conversations with National Grid on my behalf. I was able to see some of my account using a link from an earlier email.

One of the carpenters was working in the basement yesterday.

He may have disrupted one of the circuits; had no power in the garage doors and last night, I noticed that the furnace was off.

It’s about 54 degrees in here now.

Left a message for the electrician. The oil company is sending a tech, he should be here shortly.

Never occurred to me to get a service plan for the furnace.

This is predicted to be a very cold week, minus temperatures tonight and Friday. Let’s hope this gets squared away today.

Yesterday, a lady whom I’d met at an earlier standout mentioned Don Kurlander, the former art teacher, who lived on Henderson. She was sure we bought his house, but he lived at 315.

I can’t find out anything earlier than the 50’s about number 71 in the North Berkshire Registry.