Two weeks ago I spoke at the Masses about parish repair and refurbishment projects that are  requited. We are prioritizing what has to be done—and what can practically be done—as we cannot do everything simultaneously. These projects are not inexpensive, and they are basically due to old age: our parish just celebrated her 50th anniversary and as with all things, time takes its toll.

Priority One: The HVAC system, heat and cooling, has been a cause for concern for nearly 15 years, and it appears form the experts (EMCORE New England Mechanical) that we have gone as far as we can with a band aide approach. We currently have 5 different AC systems, and the one we are concerned with is the church proper. The others are working properly.

Part of the problem is that when the parish bought the original Carrier AC system, which is located behind the shed, the company discontinued servicing the system. A string of HVAC companies, to no avail, serviced it over the years. When I arrived in 2007, shortly thereafter our facility manager correctly engage EMCORE New England—who are a godsend—and have kept it going for minimal expense.  Another  problem with the AC is the location. It is too far away from the church proper, and the coolant travels  underground (which causes many issues) to the church. It is a very bad design.

EMCORE was here this week and some members of the Building and Grounds Committee  attended. It was decided to have an engineer come out and offer us the options necessary both in a new technology system and locale. We hope to have them design the new system, then we can make an  educated decision for the future—it is my hope to have a system that works well, reduces costs, and is easy to operate. Currently our programming technology is very complicated. More details to come.

Priority Two: A new organ. Our current organ, which was a gift to the parish by parishioners, is also seeing its life come to an end. Some days it starts, other days it starts only with difficulty and the  certainty of its operation is more and more doubtful. Susan Zybert, our music director, has been  looking into options, along with Dr. Ezekiel Menendez, the former director of music at St. Joseph Cathedral and who has much expertise in organ design. Once they have a plan, we will bring it to your  attention.  

Priority Three: Church roof – which has had a number of leaks over the last years due to the  angles of the roof line and bad winters, but the roof in general, while eventually in need of repair, can  continue to serve the parish with some targeted repairs every few years especially when bad winters  happen. This past winter is a prime example with leaks in the atrium and sacristy.  Our plan of “attack” is to figure out our options, decide which are the most effective and what the costs will be and then move forward as necessary. I am working closely with our Buildings & Grounds Committee and eventually with the Archdioceses Office of Facility Assets. More to come.