Government offices are difficult to get in touch with. On Monday, I called the Town Office to check on building codes - we know the land is buildable, but it is a formality and a bit of common politness to call the Code Officer and ask - it makes him less likely to be overly picky with us, and in a small town, it gets us off to a good start with our neighbors. But Monday was a New England - only holiday, Patriots Day, so the office was closed. Yesterday was a government shut-down day, so the office was again closed.

Today I'll try again. We close in nine days, and I would rather this discussion happen before the sale.