The air conditioning initiative is proving to be three-fold in nature: property, electric, and the mechanicals themselves.
Air Conditioning
The engineers have completed the plans for the HVAC replacement in the Edifice and the AC / air handler in Heathcote Hall and the Thrift Shop. They were here to do the measurements last week, and will be involved in the process of ordering what we need. We have been told not to expect this to be completed this summer as it will be 4-6 weeks at the earliest before what we order will arrive. In the interim, we have purchased additional dehumidifiers for the Thrift Shop area.
Property
As we related last year and earlier this spring, there are building improvements that must be made to address the water issues in the basement (and ultimately mold and mildew) along with the proposed planting improvements outside of Heathcote Hall (more about the plantings at the end of this communication). We have received and evaluated bids for the repointing of the front and sides of the entrance to Heathcote Hall, in addition to the repair of the broken steps at the entry. This work will begin within the month.
We are receiving bids for the repair of the capping at the top of the entryway. The capping, like the brickwork that is to be repointed, has degraded over the years. Water has saturated the joints and any cracks in the capping. Over a number of winters, the water has frozen and caused additional cracks and damage, in addition to providing water a path into the basement. There is also an opening in the flat roof. All of these issues will be resolved by the company whose bid is selected. The final piece will be to correct the gutters and leaders, and to clean out the line to the storm drain. These corrections and improvements, just as the ones done on the back of the parish house, should resolve the major challenges. We hope this work will begin in mid-July.
Plantings
For those who have volunteered their time, talent, and treasure for this initiative - thank you. The planting will not be done until after the building issues are resolved, for the obvious reason we do not want to plant and then tramp over them while repairing the building. We have asked the landscaper to provide us with a proposal, asked member of the congregation Gerilyn Brewer, a landscape designer, to review and approve the proposal and design, and then move ahead with the plantings themselves. We should be ready to undertake this by September.
Electric
We had two electrical issues in June, both now resolved. The fire system in the foyer of Heathcote Hall failed, leaving us in test mode for a few days and no actual fire alarm. While the system was destroyed, there was no harm to our own electrical system in that part of the building. (The system belongs to an outside vendor, GSI). We asked for expedited service as not to be without an alarm any longer than necessary. The cost for the repair was $5100 (no longer under warranty), but our insurance company reimbursed us for all but $1,000 (the deductible).
Three weeks ago it was reported the two refrigerators that belong to Brown Bag had stopped working. The circuit breaker tripped because of an overload to the system. Our electrician has capped off what has been determined to be non-essential, and is in the process of re-routing the refrigerators to their own circuit. Cost to this point is $615.
As always, if you have any questions, please speak with our property manager, David Bilotti.
