Minutes September 22, 2026– Town of Warwick MEETINGHOUSE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Meeting at Warwick Town Hall Aug 18, 2026 6:32 pm.
(This meeting had been postponed one week due to posting delay)
Attending: Members Andrea Woods, David Young, George Day, Jack Cadwell, David Beach, Jim McRae, John Gagliani, Adrian Paul in person. Claudia Lewis remote.
- Minutes: Andrea noted one item on draft minutes that needed a vote recorded which she will update. Jim M moved and David B 2nd the revised minutes approval, unanimously approved August 18 minutes.
- Hear and discuss:
OLD HOME DAYS PROGRAM
George read an appreciation letter from Ann Cadarette Piontek including the following: “I do appreciate the work and research that went into the speeches. The music was wonderful and singing along felt so good, especially the Star Spangled Banner….. hope to see you again in the future”. The committee members who attended all thought it was a very good program. It was suggested that we could hold another program on Memorial Day in 2027 and we should start thinking about that.
WINDOW SHADE
The Shade to protect he organ is on order and will be installed soon, likely before our next meeting.
SLATE ROOF REPAIRS
The repairs have been completed. Jim M and George D have viewed the repairs and said they looked very good. Chris Goddard also repaired some squirrel and/or woodpecker holes but he could not fix the rake return which is beyond what he could do on the ladder. David Y mentioned that Goddard needs to submit a W-9 to get paid. Jack C offered to help with the molding work for the rake return portion. Adrian notes that there is also a pane of glass missing in the belfry which he will cover with plastic until a more permanent repair can be made.
FRONT DOORS and SHIFTED PEWS
The right hand door as you look in won’t open all the way. It is likely due to the building sill shifting out of place. Also the pews are pulling away in the center of the sanctuary. The theory is that is a problem with the center wall in the basement losing its underpinning. Discussion ensued about what to do with the basement floor and whether Warwick Carpenters might be able to look at it or do the work although Jim believes they will not have time in their schedule. Andrea suggested Renaissance Builders of Gill as they will have that expertise and have done work on Warwick public buildings with good results in the past. It was decided that, after the acceptance of minutes and a few items at the next meeting, we move up to the Meetinghouse to look around in the basement to make some decision on next steps on the floor/underpinning.
CLEANING AND TRASH IN THE BASEMENT
Adrian has volunteered to vac the basement area, but George suggests that the trash and unwanted items be removed before he does this work. One valuable item might be the gas kitchen range. Jack suggests we discuss this further and he will do some research into its value. David Y will work with town to get items in the basement designated surplus. It was thought that the removal of items can be done by volunteers with care taken for any possible hazards.
ANNUAL TOWN REPORT
George reminded us that the Meetinghouse should have a report to submit and that in the past, the timeline for submission deadline was April. We should keep that in mind and start thinking about what should be included.
HISTORIC DESIGNATION
John will continue to look into Designation and bring information back for us to consider. Jim will ask Eric G from Northfield to join us if he would be available and willing to discuss Mass Historic. We decided we should continue to look into Organ registry and possibly the Town Clock.
OTHER BUSINESS:
John Gagliani would like us to have a monthly financial report from the town accountant showing our account receipts, expenditures and balance. Andrea will follow up with Jill D of Fincom for a spreadsheet template as she promised earlier. David reminds us that we also have to maintain our own books parallel to the accountant’s. John G. will reach out to Town Accountant.
Andrea reminded the group that we should find out in October if we were selected for the earmark grant we applied for last March. She has contacted Lizzie Alwan, Town Coordinator about keeping an eye out for emails from the state.
Next meeting date was set as OCTOBER 13, 2026 AT 6:30PM. IF YOU WANT TO LOOK AROUND AT THE MEETINGHOUSE, BRING A FLASHLIGHT!
Adjournment moved by George D., seconded by Andrea W voted by unanimous vote at 7:51 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Andrea Woods, Clerk