CMM 2012-06-10

Minutes of Meeting for Worship for Business

Concord (NH) Monthly Meeting

Religious Society of Friends

6th Month 10, 2012

Concord (NH) Monthly Meeting gathered in Meeting for Worship for Business. Members and attenders present were:  13

The meeting began with a period of silent worship.

6.1  Fifth Month Minutes:  The meeting reviewed and approved the Minutes from the Fifth Month Business Meeting.

6.2  Membership

The Ministry and Counsel Committee asked the meeting to accept Kathy Mercer’s request for membership.  Friends joyfully accepted Kathy in to membership.

6.3  Budget Committee Report

The meeting reviewed the proposed budget for FY 2012-2013.

Friends considered and approved a proposal to add a line item for $150 for the newly revived Peace and Social concerns committee.  In order to accommodate this change, $150 will be added to the expected contributions.  Contributions to organizations were increased about 2%.  This year’s total income from contributions will need to be the same as the amount collected this year.  Greg Heath volunteered to organize a Yard Sale this summer that will bring in a budgetted $200.

6.4  Property Committee Proposal

The Property Committee asked the meeting to consider a proposal to spend $3,075 to improve the efficiency of the Meetinghouse’s heating system.

On the advice of a Maine Energy Systems recommended heating contractor, the Property Committee recommended the following:

  • $725 - The addition of a fan to the outside wall that would run while the furnace is on in order to provide sufficient combustion air; this will keep soot from building up in the stove (which is inefficient);
  • $200 – Installation of an external temperature sensor that will allow the boiler to burn more efficiently by knowing whether the outside temperature warrants a high or low burn;
  • $2,000 – Radiant floor mixing values to regulate the temperature of water going into the floor (in addition to this being more efficient, it may help preserve the longevity of the floor tiles);
  • $150 – addition of pieces that would allow for the easy installation of a hot water holding tank in the future.

Friends asked questions and shared concerns about the need for each of these improvements as well as about the reliability of the advice of the contractor.  Friends agreed to seek the advice of neighbors and acquaintances with knowledge of similar heating systems.  This information will then be shared with the Property Committee and others who are moved to take part in this decision.  The meeting empowered the Property Committee and other interested Friends to move forward with this work pending their clearness in regards to the advisability of each aspect of this project, as well as their performance of due diligence in seeking references from the contractor.  The Property Committee Clerk will announce the date and time of the next meeting of the Property Committee via the meeting’s email announcements.

6.5  Funding the Property Committee Proposal

The meeting was asked to consider how we would fund this project, should the Property Committee move forward with it.   Friends agreed to raise the expected contributions $1,500 and tap into the Unrestricted funds $1,575.

6.6  Operating Reserve Fund and Replacement Reserve Fund Level

The point was raised that the meeting should consider increasing the $1,500 Operating Reserve and the $2,500 Replacement Reserve in the near future.  The meeting agreed to raise the Operating Reserve from $1,500 to $3,000.  The Property Committee is asked to reconsider the $2,500 annual replacement reserve and decide whether to bring a future recommendation to the Meeting.

The meeting ended with a period of silent worship.

Minutes accepted when signed,

Ruth Heath, Clerk

Alisa Barnard, Recording Clerk