The Killingworth "Watchdog" challenge to the Parmelee Farm Steering Committee

Friends:

It has come to my attention that the press releases from the Killingworth Watchdog are causing much debate on the Patch.  I will not lower myself to contribute to the ridiculous name calling going on here, so I will simply say this.  Our goal is straightforward; we would like the Parmelee Farm Steering Committee to simply explain how much the estimated cost will be to bring the farmhouse up to code so that a certificate of occupancy can be issued. The residents deserve to know this information so they can render an informed decision at budget approval time.

We have provided Patch with the actual cost estimates from the structural analysis commissioned by the town dated November 2009 (see attached PDF), which shows their detailed estimate, item by item, of what needs to be done, excluding the whole new electrical system, Disabilities Act requirements, asbestos removal issues plus lead paint concerns.  If there are those of you who doubt the estimated cost will reach upwards of $522,000 and higher, please contact us so that we may provide the structural analysis estimates to you too.

My old friend Bruce Dodson in his earlier damage control letter claims the $150,000 STEAP grant will produce a certificate of occupancy. His statement that our building official has pledged to make it happen was startling. I know the building official and I find that assertion doubtful at best.  If it can be done, fine, but I’m looking at the same structural analysis information Mr. Dodson is looking at and I can’t see how he can say this.

Mr. Dodson, we have shown you our projected estimates and we are not making our figures up.  The residents of Killingworth have the right to know this information so they can make up their own mind.  If the Parmelee Farm Steering Committee wishes to refute the accuracy of these figures then we ask the Steering committee to provide their own estimates.  We’re not looking to sabotage the Parmelee Farm project by sowing false information.  We’re looking to show how the costs of the reconstruction of the Parmelee Farm are going to rapidly add up to become a mountain of bills.  

We therefore challenge the Parmelee Farm Steering Committee to show how they can “make a molehill out of this mountain”.

Gerald "Jerry" Lucas