Accepted Minutes June 9, 2026– Town of Warwick
MEETINGHOUSE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Meeting at Warwick Town Hall June 9, 2026 6:30pm
Attending: Members Andrea Woods, David Young, George Day, John Gagliani, David Beach, Adrian Paul, Jim McRae in person. None remote. Claudia Lewis and Jack Cadwell Absent. Additional invited attendee Clyde Perkins, Jr.
- Minutes: Jim clarified the description of the person he knows who has knowledge of Massachusetts Historical Commission. The person is not a board member. Minutes to be updated with that change. George moved to accept minutes of April meeting as presented, Andrea 2nd, Unanimously approved.
- Hear and discuss:
Update on Doors and Windows
DOORS: Clyde Perkins, Jr. attended this meeting to discuss work at The 1794 Meetinghouse in New Salem. He said it was a totally different situation with inset doors needing restraints and an addition of 5 hinges per door. Warwick is different and can be made to swing out if we wish. John and Jack met with the building inspector Phil Harris and discussed addition of a new frame component and possibly a glass door with a panic bar. Harris believes historic aspect of building will lend itself to some leeway. He does suggest a wooden structure be built for back of building egress. Does not suggest we use balcony for any public use. Does not think we need to meet energy code for any upgrades. George discussed the project with Brian Gale, former Warwick inspector by as well, and he also thought the doors might be able to be left pretty much as is. There was discussion about what we might be allowed to do vs. what is the safe thing to do. Egress in the back may also be accomplished similarly to the fire escape on the town hall. Inspector Harris did say he thought a bathroom in one of the stairways to the balcony would be fine, similar to Wendell Meetinghouse. Jack and John to meet with Fire Chief at some point. [George clarifies that Brian Gale will attend our next meeting].
Will need two people at Each Door for fire purposes at Old Home Days program to assure doors open in emergency.
WINDOWS: No update, Jack not at meeting. We do have more access for window replacement now that the trees are cut back.
Update on Water
No update re Meetinghouse. David mentioned Town Hall failed copper test and may need filtration. Concern that we should stay away from additional copper and go with plastic/vinyl piping.
Update on Septic
George reports there is a problem using the old pump at Fire/Police as it’s not sending effluent into leach field. More to be studied on this topic.
Update on Clean Up
Interior clean up is coordinated by Claudia Lewis and is scheduled for June 12.
Exterior cleanup of trees has been completed by Cody Gibbons and Josh Kirley with several limbs cut back. There is a dead ash tree near the building that should be taken down this year, estimate $1,600. David Y to follow up with Cody about that work. They were commended that they did a lot more work than expected for the money they charged.
Update on Historic Designation
John contacted the state and hasn’t yet received any information, but November, 2026 is start of next grant cycle. It might be the following year before we can get in on this process.
Update on Slate Roof
Jim wants to make sure he can pay someone to come look at and give the estimate for Repair/Maintenance. David Y assured him that we could pay for this inspection/estimate.
Update on Hastings Pond Road Land
Discussed whether perc tests were a good idea, differing opinions. David said he hadn’t yet talked to Keith Ross about his experience with such properties related to harvesting timber, order of operations about things like perc tests. Andrea and Adrian offered to set up a meeting with Keith R. to discuss and get more information.
Update on Community Involvement Newsletter and Old Home Days
Andrea did a page long summary of where we are for the June Newsletter. She plans to do an update approximately quarterly unless we have a big event planned like programming for Old Home Days.
The Organ has been looked at by Stefan Maier and a lot of clean up done. Taking budgeted $1,000 “Celebrations” funding for Memorial Day which did not happen to pay for Stefan’s work on organ. More to be done this month and intent is to use it at Old Home Days with Deb Kent playing.
We will put out a donation box with graphic/info sheet for cash and possibly a QR code or accept paypal donations at OHD. David Y wants to encourage stock donations and endowments from trusts, etc. David Y will work on a web page as part of the Meetinghouse page to describe those options for donations.
OTHER BUSINESS:
None
Next meeting date was set as July 14, 2026 AT 6:30PM
Adjournment by unanimous vote at 8:06 pm
Respectfully submitted, Andrea Woods, Clerk