Between authorization of several important maintenance projects, budget preparation, and preparing for a vote on whether to make our trial governance structure permanent, October was another busy month your Governing Board.

Exterior Repairs to the Meeting House, Education Building, and Chapel
On August 8, 2017 the Governing Board, in good faith, acted to approve the repairing and painting of the Meeting House columns, the Chapel cupola, and the Education Building eaves by applying the unspent portion of the steeple painting appropriation, the balance remaining balance of the portico insurance settlement, and an appropriation of $7,700 from Major Projects to the exterior painting and repairs of the columns.  It subsequently came the Governing Board’s attention that making use of unexpended residue of Major Projects Reserve Fund appropriations was not appropriate, as monies not used for that specific project revert automatically on project closure to the Major Projects Reserve Fund.  In order to rectify the situation, a Special Meeting of the Congregation was called for October 8, 2017 at which the Congregation unanimously voted that the 2015 appropriation from the Major Projects Reserve Fund for painting the steeple be increased to $28,000 and the scope of the project be expanded to include repairing and painting of the Meeting House columns, repairing and painting the Chapel cupola, and painting the Education Building eaves.  Accordingly, at its regular monthly meeting on October 10, the Governing Board rescinded its August votes.  Painting of the Chapel cupola, Education Building eaves, and the steeple is now complete, and work on the columns was scheduled to take place in October.

Replacement of West Doors on Christian Education Building
Buildings and Grounds Coordinator Duffy Brookes put together a proposal for replacement of the exterior door at the courtyard end of the Education Building with a wheelchair accessible unit that will be similar to that at the Meeting House end, with push plate switch activation of an electric opener/closer.  After reviewing Duffy’s proposal at its September 26 meeting, the Finance Committee recommend appropriation of $7,000 from the Whitaker Accessibility Project (money remaining after construction of the ramp at the front of the Meeting House), supplemented by $2,500 from the Major Projects Reserve Fund.  The Governing Board approved these expenditures at a special meeting held on October 1.

Tree Removal
At its October 10 meeting the Governing Board approved the request of the Finance Committee with input of the Buildings and Grounds Coordinator, to appropriate $4,000 from the Major Projects Reserve Fund for removal of a dead sugar maple and two Norway maples on the 195 side of the Meeting House and restoration of the lawn on the site.

Appointment of Counters
On October 10, upon the recommendation of the Collector, the Governing Board approved the following to serve as Counters:  Jane Ann Bobbitt, Lisa Gregus, Marietta Johnson, Carol Jordan, Richard Roberts, Mark Roy, Susan Schur, and Erin Scholes.

2018 Budget Forum and Budget Meeting
On Tuesday, October 10, the Governing Board, on advice of the Finance Committee, approved a draft budget for 2018.  A Budget Forum will be held on Sunday, November 5 (not November 19 as given in the October Carillon).  The schedule for that day will be:

11:00    Worship service ends

11:10 – 11:45 Women’s Fellowship Annual Meeting

11:00 – 11:45 Informal budget discussions in the Parish House Lounge

11:45    Budget Forum formally called to order

12:15    Budget Forum concludes

The Annual Budget Meeting, at which the vote on the 2018 budget will take place, is Sunday, December 3 after church.

Governance Structure and New Bylaws
Our church’s Annual Meeting on January 28, 2018 will include a very important vote on whether to adopt new Bylaws, which would make our current trial governance structure permanent.  An Open Forum on Church Governance Structure, to include discussion of the Bylaws, will be held Sunday, November 19 after church in the Parish House Lounge.   A draft of revised Bylaws prepared a year ago has been distributed to members of the Governing Board, Lead Ministry Coordinators, and Church Officers, and work on reviewing and revising has begun.  Copies of the updated proposed Bylaws will be made available to the Congregation prior to November 19.

As always, we are happy to hear your questions, comments, and concerns.  Do not hesitate to contact any of us.

Your 2017 Governing Board,

Dick Roberts (Chair), Olivia Arsenault, Linda Blum, Laurie Brookes, Jan Castle, Tina Huey, Ray Joesten, Wade Johnson, Mary Lake, Bryan Klimkiewicz