“In the early 1990s PG&E undertook a $12.5 million cleanup effort, approaching the owners of three farms and 10 houses in the area and offering to buy their properties.
Roberta Walker was one of the people approached by PG&E, which offered to buy her house (valued at $25,000 at the time) for $60,000. She said she didn’t want to sell. When the utility asked her for a figure, she blurted out $250,000. A few weeks later, the company agreed.”
http://www.salon.com/2000/04/14/sharp/
Something is weird with the real estate records in Sandy Hook. Maybe someone will eventually find the story.