Building and Grounds Committee

FY11 Report covering (2010-11)

We’ve continued to enjoy lower than expected energy prices. We have not yet reached the costs of energy we paid after Katrina and do not foresee when we will do so. This has given us a better than expected surplus for the past several years. Last year continued this trend despite heavy snow removal costs so we are actually budgeting less for utilities in the coming fiscal year.

Our major maintenance line item was budgeted at $80,000 to begin restoring and rehabilitating our organ. We hired a consultant and brought in an architect to help us consider all the ramifications of upgrading the wiring and motors, rebuilding parts, replacing the console, etc. We were not able to get all the planning done in time to spend the funds last year so we are putting them aside to do the first piece of work: building a new chamber for a new blower unit under the chancel.

We rebuilt the bank of memorial niches last summer and added 24 new niches of which eight are now reserved.

We painted the walls and installed new tile floors in the Parish Hall restrooms.

CURRENT YEAR (2011-12)

We cut down an old fir tree in May so that we can move forward on rebuilding the path to the Memorial Garden this summer. We’re still working on developing a planting plan for this area.

The major maintenance line item this year includes the organ work described about and masonry/window repairs. We have some wall leaks in the Sanctuary and the Head Start room that come from some original flashing that needs replacement under the cast stone end caps. We also hope to do some window repair on the Headstart Room side as the windows are also allowing water to come into the walls.

MAJOR MAINTENANCE IMPROVEMENTS LIST

Below is a list of needed major repairs and improvements that we need to fund in the future. This list is continually updated/re-prioritized. A.small fund remains from the Capital Campaign to pay for slate roof maintenance for some time to come.

• Repair stained glass windows in the side aisles of the Sanctuary
• Replace fire/smoke alarm system
• Replace first floor hallway carpeting
• Replace basement & stairway wall-to-wall carpeting
• Replace 50-100 year old floors in Swan Room, upstairs kitchen & restrooms
• Paint exterior wooden trim and bell chamber
• Repair leaded windows in Alliance Room, Headstart Room, Stage and Flower Room
• Replace three exterior doors (back door, side and front Parish Hall)
• Replace flat roof
• Repair Washington St. stone retaining wall
• Repair of Narthex paneling and add Narthex lighting
• Signage/exterior lighting
• New kitchen tables and other kitchen upgrades

One safety item we notably lack is a fire suppression sprinkler system. These systems are very expensive and disruptive to install but the technology is improving and the code requirements are changing. It may become cost effective for us to consider such an improvement in future years.

Other items not able to be included in the regular operating budget are; a comprehensive repainting schedule, major landscaping/hardscaping (sidewalks, paving) improvements, plumbing upgrades such as major kitchen improvements or rebuilding bathrooms. We also need major handicapped access improvements. One last item, needed but not funded, is major rebuilding of the Charles Colby Steinway grand piano.

May 29, 2011

Chair – Building and Grounds