25C-152 (5) .arc-�s
P.O. Box 264
Sumneytown,PA 18084-0264
February 14,2004
Attn:Anthony Patillo,Building Commissioner
City of Northampton
Building Department
212 Main Street, Room 100
Northampton,MA 01060
Re: 13-15 Orchard Street
Dear Tony:
Thank you very much for your call of February 13,2004 assuring us we were not in violation
of any of the City's building codes. Rick and I were distressed that we might have
inadvertently violated codes, as that was not our intention. I appreciate your personal
involvement in looking into the various issues and coming to your own conclusion based on
what you discovered. I particularly appreciate your call,because many heads of departments
would not have taken the time and would not necessarily have been as willing as you have
been to explain the process.
In the mid through late 1980's, I worked in administration for the Borough of Norristown,
Pennsylvania (Montgomery County seat,population approximately 30,000) and also for the
Borough of Pottstown (Montgomery County,population approximately 22,000). I know all
too well how easy it is for city employees and/or elected officials to be caught"between a
rock and a hard place"with the wishes and actions of residents in conflict with city
ordinances and codes. I also know firsthand the deviousness that residents will employ to
get their way! I sympathize with you. Your role isn't always easy,but you handled it
professionally and we appreciate that.
Thank you again. We do look forward to getting the house revitalized,bringing it up to
code,and moving to Orchard Street to join the Northampton community. This 300-mile
commute is getting tiresome!
Sincerely,
Karin Lea and Rick Hummel
/kel
cc: Clare Higgins,Mayor
City of Northampton