Minutes May 12, 2026– Town of Warwick MEETINGHOUSE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Meeting at Warwick Town Hall May 12, 2026 6:30pm
Attending: Andrea Woods, David Young, George Day, John Gagliani, David Beach, Adrian Paul, Jim McRae in person Claudia Lewis and Jack Cadwell, Remote Additional attendee remote from Finance Committee: Jill DeLisle
- Minutes: George moved to accept minutes of April meeting as presented, David B 2nd Unanimously approved.
- Hear and discuss:
Update on Water Supply
George met with Mike Mankowsky and Don Matthews. Mike will make a fitting pipe for the copper piping from Town Hall to do an Air Test to confirm the connection. If it fails, we may have to look into connecting to Fountain water supply. George explained that the new fire station was built over the cistern/vault but there is a manhole in the station for access. They have ruled out the old Parsonage water well as being inadequate. David Y cautions that it might push it into a designated Public Water Supply requiring periodic testing and costs associated with that; but given the numbers of folks using it, should require the least stringent tests. Next Steps: George to keep in touch with Mike and Don on the Air Test.
Update on Windows/Doors
Jack reported that he provided some plans to the group regarding the needed changes to door jambs to accept required hardware should we decide to go with Storm Doors. He also provided a doctored photo of the building showing what they might look like. Safety issues like a landing deck outside the doors and incorporating handicap access ramp need to be considered. No estimate given on cost for this as would need more detailed plans. Jack is willing to try to get a door expert to come and look at it and John G agreed to attend this meeting should it be arranged. George suggested we loop in Clyde Perkins JR who did a similar project in New Salem with Michael Humphries Woodworking, perhaps he could attend a meeting to describe what they did. Additional questions related to doors include adding Screens? Perhaps only putting a deck on one door and leaving the other historically correct. Spencer Preservation could perhaps carve out a piece of their proposal to do the designs for this part of the project only.
David Y thinks storm windows should take precedence as saving those window sills is more of an imminent problem. Discussion of purchasing/renting lifts to put them up, would need big outriggers for the slope of the land. David suggested perhaps terracing the land to make it easier. Next Steps: George to inquire whether Clyde P would be willing to come to a future meeting.
Update on Slate Roof
Jim has a contact named Mitch Hawkins who may be available for slate roof maintenance. John G has backed off believing we need a roof replacement and agrees that regular maintenance is more doable. Estimated that slate repairs will cost in the neighborhood of $4,000 rather than a $300,000 replacement. Next Steps: Jim to reach out to possible slate repair experts to see if they would be interested.
Prioritization of Projects
In thinking about these projects, we identified the following as top priority at this time (not necessarily in this order):
Windows
Water
Slate Repair
Rolling Front Sill
Accessibility Ramp
Cleaning Day
This will be an Adult Only cleanup day with PPE required due to bat or rodent guano health concerns. Next Steps: Claudia said she would set a date for June before the deadline for the May Community Newsletter.
Historic Designation
John sent the committee info on Mass Historic building designation Although Andrea cautioned that we should be fully aware of any constraints it puts on us, it does perhaps relieve us of some onerous Building Inspector requirements and make us eligible for grant money we would most definitely require to get any of the larger projects accomplished. This round has just ended, so we would be looking at a deadline for grant apps for next March which may give us time to get designated. Next Steps: Jim knows someone with familiarity with Mass Historic and will endeavor to get some inside scoop on the process and perspective on our approach. John to bring a sample application to next meeting or disseminate electronically.
Hastings Pond Road Land
On the question of timber harvesting, best approach regarding keeping the land, selling it, having it perc tested, etc. How many lots is advised, etc. David Y suggests involving the Town’s Forest Committee and Keith Ross who is SB member and works for Landvest. Next Steps, David will reach out to Keith.
David will also contact Conservation Commission on next steps for Wetlands Delination. Town perhaps keeps the swamp and the “island” property that has ROW access from Abels’ house.
Community Involvement – Old Home Days
Whatever we do for OHD to get community members in the door and invested in the project, George cautions that access is limited to only the sanctuary, not the downstairs or balcony. He suggests something with a limited time it’s open. Andrea suggested that Clare Green might be willing to do her Zelpha/Historical Characters program in the Meetinghouse and bring in some info about the building instead of its usual program site at the Cemetery. Tom Parent is not interested in giving an organ concert. George will check with Deb Kent who has previously played for Memorial Day observances.
David suggested we look into how to let people give to the Meetinghouse Preservation Project in their will. Andrea thinks Leigh Youngblood may have some information on Planned Giving and will reach out.
Andrea agrees to do a monthly or bimonthly update to the Community through the Newsletter depending on what we have going on.
OTHER BUSINESS:
HEARTY WELCOME to Adrian Paul, our newest member.
Next meeting, David Y will not be able to attend and manage Zoom, Claudia agreed to take this on.
Next meeting date was set as June 9, 2026 AT 6:30PM
Adjournment by unanimous vote at 8:22pm
Respectfully submitted, Andrea Woods, Clerk