Holcombe House Is Getting There

To the Editor:

Two weeks ago Jane and I had planned to host a public open house at our new home and bed and breakfast, The Dana-Holcombe House. The event was to double as a fundraiser for Newtown Scholarship Association, which was to receive all proceeds from the sale of tickets for the afternoon reception.

Originally planned for Sunday, July 24, the event had to be postponed for one week when it became apparent that we would not be ready to open by that date.

Unfortunately the same news greeted anyone who showed up at 29 Main Street this past weekend: We weren’t ready to open. This time, however, we had to cancel the event.

I extend my deepest apologies to everyone who had planned to visit our beautiful house and found instead a cancellation notice posted outside.

Too often in our town you hear how the town building and fire officials are uncooperative. That is not the case in this construction endeavor.

Quite the contrary.

They have been extremely cooperative in our attempts to sort out the new bed and breakfast regulations handed down by the state.

It seems that two years ago, bed and breakfast regulations were removed from the umbrella of hotel and inn regulations in an effort to ease the construction and remodeling pain of established bed and breakfasts. As we began this project, it became readily apparent to local, and subsequently to state, officials that the state had not written regulations for new bed and breakfast constructions.

Proudly — but not without struggles — we announce that we are the first new bed and breakfast construction in the state of Connecticut. It is the interpretation of confusing regulations, however, that has caused us to delay once again the opening of this edifice.

While we have received a temporary certificate of occupancy, we are still awaiting a modification from the state for handrail and stair regulations. We are also still waiting for bedroom furniture that has been backordered for six months, as well as a few dining room pieces.

It has been a tremendous learning experience for Jane and myself. It has been a dream come true for the town and for the two of us after 23 years of waiting, hoping, and planning.

As soon as all is in order, our plans are to open The Dana-Holcombe House to all of you as our guests, hoping that you will come back, enjoy the spirit of the Yankee Drover land, and contribute in some small way to Newtown Scholarship Association, as our initial goal of the open house planned for last month was to provide additional funds for the children of Newtown who eagerly wish to continue developing their talents.

I look forward to the day in late summer when The Dana-Holcombe doors open for visitors and guests.

We’re getting there.

Most sincerely,

John Vouros, co-proprietor

The Dana-Holcombe House

29 Main Street, Newtown                                              July 31, 2005