As soon as ballots are ready, you can apply for, receive, fill out, and submit your ballot all in one visit! The staff will even inform you of any error on the envelope (forgotten signature, wrong date) and let you correct it right then. This helps ensure your vote is received on time and counted. You do this at the county elections office. Luckily, we have two:

2401 Pleasant Valley Rd., Suite 219, York, PA
Or:
28 E. Market St. B003, York, PA

To find out if ballots are ready, call: 717-771-9604

Deadline for this voting method:
Oct. 27 by 5pm

It's time to verify your voter registration (voter purges happen), polling location (those can change), and make your voting plan! Mail in or in person? Drop box or mailbox? How will you get to the polls and when?

Go to Vote.PA.gov:

•      Under "Updating Your Registration", click "Check to see if You are Registered."
•      Toward the bottom, click "Find Your Polling Place."
•      If voting by mail, at the bottom, click "Apply for a Mail-in or Absentee Ballot."

As we progress with the Our Foundation Our Future fundraising campaign, we wanted to share an update on the scope of, progress on, and cost of the campus renovations. The approved Chalice Lighter Grant encompasses a range of projects with an original estimated total cost of $233,054. The cost of completing the renovations may increase significantly if structural improvements to the Sanctuary roof are required. The Grant provides $40,000 toward renovations. It is hoped that members of the congregation and friends will donate significantly more than $200,000 to fund the projects listed in the Chalice Lighter Grant application as well as other projects.

The Carriage House’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) is provided by four separate units. The three gas heating and electric cooling splits (furnaces in the attic and condenser coils outside) have been replaced with dual fuel heat pump splits. In addition, a packaged ground-mounted conventional gas heating and electric cooling unit that serves the sunroom was replaced. These units offer improved efficiency as compared to the twenty-five-year-old systems that were replaced and allow us to reduce our carbon footprint by heating with electricity. The cost of this renovation was $44,699 including $739 for the City of York permit and inspection. This is well below the original estimated cost of $51,858.

Due to the Carriage House squirrel infestation, the damage in the upper attic (area above the rooms on the second floor) needed to be addressed. A shrub that facilitated access to the roof was cut back dramatically, an access point used by the squirrels was sealed, the damaged insulation was removed, debris from the occupancy was removed, and the upper attic was sanitized before the new HVAC systems were installed. The cost through this stage of the project has totaled $5,062 including replacement of the attic and upper attic light bulbs. We have not yet secured a quote for the installation of new insulation. It is hoped that the final total cost of this project will be less than the original estimated cost of $22,000.

We have secured quotes for the replacement of the fire alarm systems in the Sanctuary Building and the Carriage House. Notably, we are replacing twenty-five- year-old control panels that rely on land lines for alarm reporting with new control panels that support internet and GSM (a digital cellular radio standard) alarm reporting. We have selected a supplier whose proposal totals $22,440 for replacement of the control panels, detectors, annunciators, pull stations, etc. However, we have not signed the contract pending the completion of the permit application.

We have endeavored to locate copies of the original fire alarm system plans to aid in developing the new plans for the permit application. Absent locating the original plans, a licensed engineer will be retained to create new plans at an estimated cost of $2,200 to $3,200. The permit application will proceed upon creation of the new plans. Assuming retention of a licensed engineer to create plans, the current estimated cost of $25,640 exceeds the original estimated cost of $19,080.

The Sanctuary building’s HVAC is provided by three separate gas-fired and electric cooling packaged rooftop units (RTUs). A proposal to replace the three RTUs with dual fuel heat pumps was accepted; however, while preparing the permit application, it was determined that the new RTUs units were considerable heavier than the existing RTUs and the order was cancelled without penalty. The proposed RTUs offer improved efficiency as compared to the existing twenty-five-year RTUs and would allow us to reduce our carbon footprint by heating with electricity.

Unfortunately, the increase in weight of the proposed Sanctuary building RTUs requires that a licensed structural engineer assess the load capacity of the supporting roof. The structural assessment is needed regardless of the proposal selected as the weight of the new RTUs was significantly heavier in every instance. As the original order was cancelled, it is expected that the final cost of the RTUs will exceed the original estimated cost of $96,785.

The replacement of Sanctuary EPDM roof below the RTUS is to be performed following the replacement of the three RTUs. We have received three quotes that are roughly in line with the original cost estimate of $26,900 if a 20-year warranty is included.

While we planned to retain a qualified engineer to evaluate the sizing and selection of the Sanctuary building rooftop units, this was not done, avoiding $5,000 in costs. We did secure free common-sense guidance from a qualified engineer.

However, we have determined that we need to retain a qualified engineer to conduct a structural assessment to determine the load capacity of the Sanctuary roof. We have not been able to locate drawings that we believe reliably depict the supporting structure beneath the Sanctuary RTUs. Accordingly, we intend to retain a roofer to open the EPDM roof beneath the three Sanctuary RTUs and inspect the supporting structure. The inspection will include (a) roof deck condition, (b) joists/trusses supporting the RTUs, (c) load path and reinforcement, (d) curbs, (e) insulation and vapor barrier, and (e) other conditions. The results of the inspection will be used by the licensed engineer to determine the load capacity and any necessary improvements to support the new RTUs. The cost of opening the roof is estimated at $3,000 and the structural review is estimated at $5,000 to $15,000 depending on the need, if any, to design structural improvements. The cost for implementing any required structural improvements cannot be estimated until the structural assessment is completed.

The Chalice Lighter Grant projects also included the installation of a heat pump water heater in the Sanctuary building at an estimated costs of $7,931 and the installation of circulator and control system to recommission the hot water recirculation system to the Sanctuary building classrooms at an estimated cost of $3,500. These projects have been put on hold pending a better understanding of the total cost of the other Chalice Lighter Grant projects as we wish to control spending to the extent practicable.

The total cost of the Chalice Lighter Grant projects is difficult to estimate due to the uncertainties associated with the cost to assess and implement any needed structural improvements to the Sanctuary roof. If the Sanctuary roof does not require structural improvements, we hope to limit spending to the original cost estimated.

Apart from the Chalice Lighter Grant Projects, there are other projects that merit funding including Sanctuary chair replacement, exterior lighting upgrades, interior lighting upgrades, repave parking lots, and entrance safety bollards. The cost of these improvements has not yet been determined.

Did you know that if you have a disability or a language barrier, you can have a person of your choice assist you?

If in need of voting assistance due to disability or language barrier, you can choose anyone to assist you except: your employer, union rep, or judge of elections. They can pick up/return mail in ballots for you or assist in filling out your ballot at the polls. There is a form to fill out. Go to: vote.pa.gov

ID is only required when voting the first time at a new polling place OR if you changed your name since your last vote.
​
ID For Voting:
If for some reason you did need ID to vote but didn't have it... GET A PROVISIONAL BALLOT! Then, you can bring ID to the Election Office by November 9 for your vote to count.

Go to: vote.pa.gov/voterID

This month, the Social Justice Committee is focusing on voters education for the upcoming election. You can participate in a few different ways:​

• Join UUJusticePA's new program called the Democracy Defenders Team. Click the button below to learn more and to sign up.

“If everything around seems dark, look again, you may be the light.” - Rumi

The Social Justice Committee invites you to do One Small Thing (one small act) for Democracy, each month. We recognize all that is going on in this world – and especially what is happening in our country right now. It can feel overwhelming, especially to those of us who hold our UU values and specific Social Justice activities close to our hearts. One small thing, one small act, can bring relief, calm, and a sense of community when engaging with others.

Of course, if you go to UUCY, you are likely already doing one small thing. Maybe you’d like to sample another. We will share a variety of things to do, a new idea going forward each month, in the Beacon.

For June, we invite you to check out the 5calls app.
The 5Calls app is an excellent civic engagement tool that simplifies contacting elected officials. It identifies your specific representative based on your ZIP code and provides active issue topics, background context, direct phone numbers, and customized scripts to read during your call.
If offers brief, issue-specific talking points and keeps you updated on current legislation. Your location remains private and they don't store or sell data to 3rd parties. Research has shown that calling is by far the most effective way to reach your representative. Calls are tallied so legislators are aware of how constituents feel about an issue. Also, a blast of phone calls can seriously disrupt a congressional office.
Democracy is not a spectator sport.. we all need to consider becoming informed and engaged citizens during these extraordinary times of transition in our state, country, and the world.
Check it out: 5calls.org/getting started

We are continuing our gatherings on the first Monday of the month throughout the summer;
but why not? As we generally read and discuss literary fiction, we are reading a classic from
years back, THE FORGOTTEN BEASTS OF ELD by Patricia McKillip. The book covers forever
concepts of love, societal structures and conflict, the possible roles of animals in our lives etc.
We will meet on July 6 at 7 pm. For August, we are reading the non-fiction and best-selling
mystery also from years ago, MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL by John Berendt.
It is a tale based in the iconic southern city of Savannah, Georgia. Read these and come join us.
Questions to me, Mike Robinson, at [email protected].

“If everything around seems dark, look again, you may be the light.” - Rumi

The Social Justice Committee invites you to do One Small Thing (one small act) for Democracy, each month. We recognize all that is going on in this world – and especially what is happening in our country right now. It can feel overwhelming, especially to those of us who hold our UU values and specific Social Justice activities close to our hearts. One small thing, one small act, can bring relief, calm, and a sense of community when engaging with others.

Of course, if you go to UUCY, you are likely already doing one small thing. Maybe you’d like to sample another. We will share a variety of things to do, a new idea going forward each month, in the Beacon.

For May, we invite you to join the ICE Vigil at Clugston Road. Pick a day – any Tuesday or Thursday morning to join. You may see others from UUCY there or meet some new folks of similar sensibilities. It is a time to lean into community and experience the strength of solidarity around human rights and justice.