Prudential Committee Minutes 2/12/25

Members Present:  Pastor Allan Palmer; Dennis Carman; Karen Hong; Myron Winders; Steve Delano; Ginny Sears.  Also present, Bob Sears

Meeting Called to Order by Ginny Sears at 7:05 PM 

Door Locks - Ginny called Commercial Lock and Safe in Weymouth Ma. This is the company Skip Holland used to work for, recommended them; Ginny spoke to Joe with regard to crash bar installation   Joe stated that installed cost would be $800-$1200 depending on trim kit that we needed asked me to send photos of door we would put that on. So she sent side door photos to the tech Matt.  Matt stated in email for “Mark exit device with outside lever and key control” would be what we needed and the list price is $595 with discount, our cost  $476. Plus labor cost between $250 and $400 depended on time and travel.  They like to be as fair as possible with labor and left me phone number if we decide to do that.  Ginny showed photo from tru-door.com for photo.

Future Energy – Ginny sent email to Michael Jones regarding proposal and has not gotten back to her.  She will reach out again tomorrow.  Pastor Allan spoke with the lawyer he knew but he has retired so he spoke to John Bruno, a selectperson for the town of Halifax (he is a lawyer but not real estate lawyer) regarding taking a look at Future Energy proposal.  He said he would take a look at it for us and would get us a referral for a “Land Attorney”.

2025 Budget – after discussion at previous two Prudential Meetings, we came up with $100,185.  Steve worked with figures and got actuals for 2024 to where we are close.  $94,704.94

When Sue Costantino sent out auditor report she had several figures couldn’t figure out where it went – Electric line was $220. difference due to the propane bill was posted with electric and Steve clarified.  There was a worship line around $17 that was also rectified.  Ginny will update figures for Budget so that folks will have correct figures for meeting.  We had a conversation with Steve Delano about getting Prudential Committee a monthly checkbook balance so we know where we stand. It was noted that budget is -$900 this month which is better, than in the past several months.

Ginny did spread sheet for the committee with last 5 years’ income and expenses 2020-2024.  One thing that is to change is our internet cost; now reduced significantly – we will reduce that budget line by $1000.00 due to Dennis Carman contacting Verizon to change our internet service. $130/month, which is about half of Comcast charges. ($330.–they went up 12% on January 1st.)  Ginny thanked Dennis for looking into Verizon for the committee.  Verizon will be installing new service on Feb. 14th.  Steve Delano asked if FIOS or wireless – it will be FIOS and we need to cancel Comcast.  Steve has password for accounts and its set up on auto pay. 

Pastor Allan asked for plowing budget – $750. He thought this would be enough.  We have a new plow guy, due to Gordon Andrews not being able to service the chapel as he has medical issues and his plow had broken down. $250 was sent by Steve to Garrett Gage for the first plowing – Pastor Allan stated he did a good job plowing and salting, as well as, shoveling walkways. 

Our other big line is insurance – comes due in April.  Dennis was going to ask wife, Terri, about this through Hanson Insurance to see if we could find a better rate;   Pastor Allan stated that when we went with Church Mutual, they gave us a better rate – we had previously been with Borhek Insurance in Halifax. Bob Sears asked if someone is looking into this – Pastor Allan said policy is on his desk at church. Ginny will get policy on Sunday and look into this. 

In regard to our budget, Pastor Allan wanted to point out to the committee that when he first started at Silver Lake Chapel, they didn’t have a budget sheet like we have today. Virtually no budget at all, they simply said this is how much we spent – they didn’t itemize and was around $25,000-$28,000.  The Budget we have now around $100,000, which points to how this church has grown and things we are doing.  Idea of budget isn’t to keep it low, it’s to show what you’re doing is effective and productive – it’s the life of the church.  Budget with adjustment is $99,185.

Building fund – there wasn’t a breakout last year’s report or year before in annual report.  As far as amount in Building Fund – 2022 was $53,000; following year added $5,000.  This is in our checking account not separate account.  Prudential needs to decide how to get that in a separate account so that we can better monitor it.  Steve Delano stated that only accounts he has is checking and the Certificates of Deposits.  Our previous treasurer had amounts earmarked as building fund and we didn’t realize it wasn’t a separate account. 

Trash pickup – Steve Delano contacted Republic Services to get a better rate and thus far the on-call pick up is working and is saving the chapel some money.

Annual Meeting – Ginny has printed the agenda and Bob Sears has graciously said he would be moderator for our Annual Meeting on Sunday; Lisa Winders will open the meeting with a word of prayer.  Bob stated format we use for agenda is what we’ve used for the past several years.  Bob wanted to bring to committee attention, under old business about building – upgrades, etc., and the issue is accessibility with correct access for all.  Bob intends to discuss this as a brief picture of what we need.  Next step is an architectural rendering that we need as well as what the town will need.  Reality of project is around a cost of $60,000 for lift and infrastructure.  This note is so folks will have a better idea on next step. Our Budget itself is a little fluid and he will call on Myron Winders or Steve Delano to give their input if needed. 

Bob’s intention is to moderate the meeting through the Nomination Report and turn ceremonial gavel over to Myron Winders as our new moderator and Myron will turn to Pastor Allan for closing prayer.  Myron asked if Bob will be asking Pastor if he will be our pastor – Bob stated yes, it’s on the agenda after acceptance of reports of boards and committees.

A member emailed Ginny last week asking if the church has a Venmo account as they are looking for an easier way to give. Ginny noted that we do have a PayPal “donate” button on our website – Steve told us that PayPal owns Venmo.  Ginny asked if we could get a QR code and put in frame at back of the church so folks could scan and make donation.  Steve said it’s usually done through the cell phone or email account.  Money stays in Venmo and then you transfer into checking account – it usually stays in Venmo for 5 day. Ginny stated that if you go on chapel website and click “donate” it brings you to page to do that with options for one time, monthly, yearly.

Steve hadn’t logged into PayPal yet and doesn’t know if there is anything there or nor.  Perhaps we can let folks know this is in the works.

Next meeting is annual meeting on Sunday; and Pastor Allan will be purchasing the items for lunch.

Closing prayer by ACP

Meeting adjourned at 7:44 pm

(39 minutes)

Respectfully submitted;

Ginny Sears

Ginny Sears, Clerk

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