The Church Council is calling for a Special Congregational Meeting on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in the DeWolf Room. The purpose of the meeting is to address a remedy for the heating system in the DeWolf Room, which will require expenditures beyond the amount budgeted for building maintenance in our 2025 budget. As required by our By-Laws such an expenditure requires a vote by the congregation.
Background: For some time, the heating in the DeWolf Room has been insufficient, especially during the coldest time of year. The problem is that the current heating configuration between the Sanctuary and the DeWolf Room is unable to deliver adequate heat to the Room, resulting in very high fuel costs as the system struggles continually to bring heat to the Room.
An additional consideration is that we do not have any space in the church that provides air conditioning. The two standing ACs currently in the DeWolf Room bring some air conditioning but not sufficient when 30 or more people are in the Room. These two units are on loan to us from two church members.
Proposed Solution: The Facilities Committee has considered a number of options to remedy both heating and cooling in the Room. After much research, the Committee recommends the installation of minisplit units in the Room, which will provide additional heat during the winter and air conditioning in the summer. Furthermore, these units offer a dehumidifying option. Three bids were obtained from reputable contractors—all of which were in line with each other (one more expensive than the other two). After meeting with representatives from each company (Queern, Gem, and Ocean Air), the Facilities Committee members were most impressed with Ocean Air, especially their professional assessment of our needs, their understanding of how our current system works, and sensible approach to the installation. The cost for installing five minisplit units and two compressors is approximately $46,000. The cost just to replace the heating elements in the DeWolf Room would be $60,000; however, we would not have the benefit of a cooling component to the system.
The Facilities Committee presented their research and recommendation to the Church Council on Tuesday, July 22. After discussion, the Church Council put forward a motion supporting the Facilities Committee’s recommendation to install minisplits in the DeWolf Room and to engage Ocean Air as the contractor for this installation. Furthermore, the Council discussed options for how to finance this expenditure.
Special Congregational Meeting: On August 10, the congregation will hear a presentation from the Facilities Committee about how they came to recommend the minisplit option, why they suggested Ocean Air, how this system will enhance our overall congregational program, and what is involved to install this system. Then, Ruth Fisher, our treasurer, will explain proposed options for how we could finance the minisplit solution.
As required by our By-Laws, a Special Congregational Meeting requires a two-week announcement. Please consider this communication that announcement.
With thanks for your presence on August 10,
Dr. Amy Halt, Church Council Chair
Rev. Dr. Nancy Hamlin Soukup, Settled Minister
