Buildings and Grounds – March 2023

We feel so supported by the congregation now with the work that has been completed and the work that is underway or in the planning stages. We will keep up our efforts to communicate with you as to the status of our projects. Just know that we so appreciate your backing!

The Courtyard Roof is now finished with excellent work done by McFall Roofing. No more rotten wood! A big hurrah and a big sigh of relief! Our “hat” (as Carol calls it) is now in good shape. Tree work in the courtyard was completed before the roofers began and stumps were ground when the roofers finished.

We took a step backward with the eradication of the vermin when it was discovered that although the pest control company did not see signs of rats in attic spaces they were apparently there in the Sanctuary and Seminar Rooms and were trapped inside the building when all the entry points (and exits!) were sealed. They attempted to chew their way out causing damage to all of the screens on the north side of the sanctuary, the chapel door, and the door jamb in Seminar B. Four rats were trapped and removed initially, with another, hopefully, final one, a few weeks later.  Carol is working out responsibility for the damages with the pest control company. This is reason enough to spur boards and committees, ministers and staff, to clean out unused items in any storage areas throughout the campus so as to not have things that would attract vermin to nest.

Glenn Acomb prepared a PowerPoint presentation that we showed to the ministers and staff to inform them of what we know so far about the challenges in the courtyard. We got very good feedback about the current uses of that space along with visions for future use which will inform the work we will do. The Topographical Survey will have been completed by the time you read this – another hurrah! The Re-Mod Squad will continue information gathering and will be presenting this material to the congregation at seminars in the coming months to get your feedback as well.

We are getting estimates about vegetation clearing on the north side of the office building, the sanctuary, and the area between the northeast corner of the sanctuary and the east parking lot, as well as the lowering of the grade behind the office building where a great deal of debris has built up over the years.

The solar panel installers were out to do preliminary design and electrical assessments. Because of a backlog in the permitting process, the installation has been delayed to April. We know how to be patient. J

The replacement of our four oldest HVAC units is next on our list! Won’t that make us all happy??

Remember that we value your observations about things that need repair or attention. Contact Liz Harvey at lizharvey65@gmail.com or 352-359-2895 or put a note in our mailbox in the office workroom.

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