Diocese of Rhode Island
Commission on Finance
Meeting, December 10,
2013
Higgins Room
Present: Robert
Batchelor; Robert Bergstrand; Dennis Burton; Michael Lofaro; Stephan Sloan; The
Rev. Joyce Thorne.
Also Present: Joan
DeCelles; The Rev. Edwin Hallenbeck; Ronald Turnbull.
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 am by Chair Lofaro.
Deacon Hallenbeck offered an opening prayer.
The Minutes of
the meeting of November 12 were approved as distributed.
The Treasurer’s
Report of November 30, 2013 was reviewed. With a number of accounts coming
into focus in December, financial activity for the year after careful review is
pretty much on target. It appears there is the prospect of a small surplus. The
report was received and placed on file.
Apportionment
Payments Report. The number of churches and months in arrears are less than
recent years, while up slightly since last month, see chart.
|
#
|
Months
in Arr
|
Parish / Location
|
Comments
|
|
|
2012
|
2013
|
|||
|
11
|
1
|
2
|
St. George’s, Central Falls
|
|
|
19
|
3
|
4
|
St. David’s, Cranston
|
Considering
future, recent meeting
|
|
22
|
-
|
2
|
Transfiguration, Cranston
|
|
|
36
|
1
|
3
|
St. Matthew’s, Jamestown
|
Recent
conversation
|
|
43
|
3
|
6
|
St. Columba’s, Middletown
|
Recent
meeting w/leaders
|
St. David’s is growing with 130 families, 70 are non-pledging.
Unlikely to fulfill apportionment pledge for 2013. St. Columba’s further behind
than most years and is depending on year end income. St. Matthew’s has made no
payments on Revolving loans this year.
Review of Revolving
Loan Policy. No report this month, the matter is being reviewed by the
Chancellor.
Calvary Church,
Pascoag, Renovations. Work is under way on the Rectory to be occupied by
ECC Director, The Rev. Meaghan Kelly. To maintain the property condition work
is also being initiated on the Church roof, to be paid from the Resource Fund.
May House Projects.
Mr. Burton reviewed last month projects, noting that heating and air
conditioning are viewed as a single project. A) Insulation. This project could
not be initiated until old tube and knob wiring was replaced to meet code
requirements. Two bids have been received and will be reviewed in light of a
trace of asbestos reported. Treatment will be in attic and basement only, not
in stucco walls. B) HVAC three bids received, very close, for 5 Mitsubishi
units including wiring. C) Generator. RFP out with one site visit by Ralco who
will submit a proposal meeting code and tying circuits into house with automatic
emergency operation. No bid received yet. These projects as adjusted to meet
actual conditions on site are anticipated to come within original estimate of
$60,000. In addition Mr. Burton identified four maintenance matters needing
immediate attention: 1) Mold remediation. 2) Steam leak damage to floor in one
room. 3) Bathroom leak. 4) There is a buried oil tank that needs to be removed
and replaced above ground. These are routine maintenance matters that will be
followed up.
St. Mark’s,
Riverside, Real Estate tax matter. The City of East Providence assessed and
billed a property tax because the church was not in use as a church. This has
been paid and appealed. The Chancellor and a consultant will attend an appeal
board hearing this month. Now leased and in use as a church this should not be
a problem ongoing.
Other matters.
Mr. Bergstrand raised a question regarding DIT information available on the
website. Data is available for the Diocese, but not for churches with invested
funds in the DIT. It was noted that such information is regularly made
available to the churches but not made public, as that is up to each church.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:20 am.
Respectfully submitted
Edwin F Hallenbeck, Secretary
Next meeting: January 14, 2014 at 10:00 am
