Actor John Krasinski’s brother apparently doesn’t have all his office ducks in a row.
Paul Krasinski, who runs The Farmhouse in Plymouth, is in hot water over his nonprofit as the town recently ordered him to stop operations due to building code violations.
The Town of Plymouth sent the Krasinski brother cease-and-desist orders to immediately halt operations at his educational facility for violating fire safety codes and lacking the required permits. The cease-and-desist letters were first reported by the Plymouth Independent over the weekend.
“It has come to our attention that the operation of an educational facility is being operated at 296 Center Hill Rd. Plymouth, MA, and is in violation of the below fire safety codes,” the fire department’s battalion chief wrote to Krasinski.
“During a recent inspection conducted by Plymouth Fire and Building Departments it was also determined that you have failed to secure the proper licenses and permits to operate this type of occupancy at your private residence,” the battalion chief added in the cease-and-desist letter.
Local student programs and meetings have been taking place at The Farmhouse, which has not had the required permits — violating the Massachusetts State Building Code, and prompting the letter from the town’s director of inspectional services.
“This office has become aware of a change in use of the single-family dwelling to a public/educational use without the benefit of a building permit,” the director wrote.
“Cease and Desist all activities associated with this notice including: Immediately cease all activities and use associated with the public/business/educational activities within any building or structure on the property,” the director added in the cease-and-desist order.
The Herald received copies of the letters through a public records request on Monday.
Krasinski said in an email to the Herald that he was working with town officials “to address any outstanding concerns.”
“We’re confident everything will be resolved in short order,” he continued. “We are focused on continuing to deliver the impact in the community and empowering people young and old to discover, explore, experience and connect. Our intention has always been to be an integral part of the Plymouth community, and add new dimensions and perspectives to what the town already offers.”
The Farmhouse over the weekend, after the Plymouth Independent’s report went live, posted a photo of a rainbow on social media.
“On a rainy day here at The Farmhouse, where a well-intentioned informational article was derailed, allowing the real story to be missed,” The Farmhouse wrote. “This is the story of the transformational work that our team is doing to inspire young adults to find true self and pursue their dreams.
“I asked for a sign that everything was going to be ok and this is how the universe responded!” the post continued. “All will become clear soon and give way to brighter days ahead. Thank you, Farmhouse Family.”
In a video on The Farmhouse’s website, Krasinski talks about the idea behind the nonprofit: A place where everyone can come together.
“So it didn’t matter if you were a young child or the chairman of Microsoft, everyone here was welcome,” he said. “And really it was about letting people connect, communicate and gather, and understand themselves through discovery, but also to create new solutions to things. Rather than waiting for people and institutions and organizations to change the world, why couldn’t we do it?”