Annual Meeting Minutes 2/16/25

The clerk will verify quorum (16 members needed)

With 18 members present, the quorum was verified by clerk. Those present were: Susan Boncariewski, Dennis Carman, John Costantino, Susan Costantino, Kathy Delano, Steven Delano, Cliff Fredericks, Joseph Grieco, Wendy Grieco, Scott Hughes, Harrison Jones, Pastor Allan Palmer, Tina Palmer, Christopher Sears, Ginny Sears, Robert Sears, Lisa Winders and Myron Winders.

Moderator, pro-tem Bob Sears, called the 133rd Annual Meeting of Silver Lake Chapel to Order at 12:48 pm

Opening Prayer was given by Lisa Winders

Bob thinks of our Annual Meeting as a snapshot of 2024 and a look into the future, celebrating all that we have here at Silver Lake Chapel.

In Memoriam:  Moderator asked folks to turn to page 5 in our annual report and have a moment of silence for the three members who have passed in 2024.

Barbara Ann Roberts

Dennis M. Hill

John M. Pedro, Sr.

The moderator asked those gathered to review printed minutes from February 18, 2024, for the 2023 Annual Meeting, as well as the printed annual reports. Clerk Ginny Sears presented the report and noted that there were no changes or corrections to these reports.

Review Printed Annual Report

Clerks Statistical Report

Prudential Committee Report

Treasurer’s Report

Auditor’s Reports

Deacons Report

Sunshine Report

Fundraising Report 

Kitchen Committee Report

The moderator asked the congregation if there was any discussion on reports. Pastor Allan noted with thanks to Tina Palmer as sole organizer for the three fundraisers for the year (online auction and two bake sales). Moderator asks for motion to accept committee reports from Clerks Statistical Report through Kitchen Committee Report as presented in the printed Annual Report of 2024. Moved by Susan Costantino and 2nd by Karen Hong; Unanimous.

Pastor’s Report – as tradition, Pastor is asked to read his report. Pastor Allan read his report and noted that he was NOT the last report and hopes to recapture that milestone.

Bob asked Pastor Allan to serve Silver Lake Chapel for another year;   he answered “YES, as long as we don’t take a vote on it.

Moderator asks if any Other Old Business:

• Overview of Building Needs – Prudential Committee has been working for a long time on getting access to lower level and parking lot.  Several people came to look at project, an architect and specialized in small churches; Norman Whittaker; said to our credit “its amazing what shape this building is in and usually need a lot of work”.

• Chapel has two enormous needs – an egress that  houses a Garaventa lift to bring wheelchair and a person from lower to upper level also with a set of stairs  Health and safety is a big factor.  We have people in our congregation who cannot traverse this building. The approximate cost: for architect and infrastructure is in the ballpark of $60,000. 

• We need blueprints drawn to understand what the plan involves. If anyone knows someone to help with architectural plans, please let the Prudential Committee know. 

We have an enormous space issue; we have spent many, many hours on the subject and what we found it was cost prohibitive.  To put on an addition, we need Fire Protection (sprinklers), septic system, new bathrooms (code states two handicapped accessible bathrooms on each floor). This has a potential cost of $750,000. 

Len asked if we do the lift, are we going to trigger needing bathrooms.  Bob Sears stated the town lets us make any improvement as long as it is within code; lift is a separate issue.  Myron Winders stated that some professionals indicated that amounts above 35% of the chapel valuation need to meet all standard codes. The Town of Plympton needs to know that we are making access to our building better than it is.

We have had financial gifts tagged specifically for a Building Fund.  Steve Delano asked where the building fund is; it is within the checking account.  We had $1,000 given specifically for the building fund; $5,000 from the Wyman’s estate and $50,000 from Penny & Arthur Hermanson’s estate.  Steve stated that Rockland Trust has a high yield savings account that is a possible place to put the building fund dollars.  We also have three Certificates of Deposit with Bluestone Bank.  Moderator noted that Steve Delano stepped into the Treasurer position previously held by Cathie Nolan, as a financial person he is an asset to our church.  If anyone has any questions or concerns, please direct them to the prudential committee.

New Business: -

Proposed Chapel Budget for 2025

Members are asked if they have anything for discussion on any line items.  Moderator noted that the 2025 budget is in the area of $100,000.  Pastor Allan noted that in 2010 that amount was $10,000. 

Budget line for internet was mentioned as Comcast charges are nearly $300 per month, however, as of February 14, 2025, we have moved our internet and phone service to Verizon for a monthly charge of $130 per month for a two-year contract.

The Insurance Line has gone up substantially; Prudential feels it is time to look beyond Church Mutual for a more affordable policy.

Snow Removal line more than likely will surpass the budgeted amount; however, our new plow person Garrett Gage has done a great job thus far plowing and sanding the parking lot and shoveling walkways. Tina Palmer indicated that he lives just down the street.

Ginny Sears also noted that we have altered our trash pickup with Republic Services to an on-call pickup (with the treasurer’s help)which will save us from the company emptying an empty dumpster.  The Dumpster rental is $25/month and pickup will be an additional $60/month.

Gail Jones asked about a way to donate to the church electronically.  Steve Delano stated that PayPal has a brand-new account linked to the Donate button on our website. PayPal is also providing three card readers which we will be able to use at off-site bake sales, as well as yard sales.  The card readers have a QR code that will be put on church website that will enable folks to donate to the church in this way.

Moderator asks for a motion to accept the 2025 Chapel Budget.  Moved by Steve Delano; 2nd by Tina Palmer; so voted Unanimously.

Pastor Allan thanked Clerk Ginny Sears for her work in typing, printing and binding the annual report. Pastor Allan also  thanked Bob Sears for filling in as moderator for the day.  Bob stated “it is truly a pleasure to do it for what Silver Lake Chapel represents to Ginny and I.”

Moderator thanked the following for their service to the Prudential Committee:  David Greene, member; Stephenie Jones, Moderator; Cathie Nolan, Treasurer.

Thanks to Myron Winders for volunteering as our new Moderator; Thanks to Wendy Grieco for taking David’s place as Prudential Member and to Bob Sears for stepping into Myron’s place as Prudential Member.

Nominating Report – Bob open floor to nominate for a position; hearing none, Vote to accept Nominating Report, motion by Chris Sears, 2nd by Scott Hughes; unanimous. Bob stated thanks to people who put food on tables, people who pick up a rake; people who bring food for the food pantry this is the fabric of Silver Lake Chapel. YOUR contribution to church makes huge difference.  Whatever we do for our church comes back to us.

Bob introduced our New Moderator; Myron Winders Thank you for serving our church.  Myron stated that he will try to serve as best as he can;  all meetings are open meetings, if you have any questions; we can work together.

Closing Prayer: Rev. Allan Palmer

Move to adjourn at 1:30 pm; Dennis Carman; 2nd Scott Hughes, so moved.  

(meeting time 42 minutes)

Respectfully submitted;

Ginny Sears

Ginny Sears, Clerk

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