Detailed Update on OFOF Projects – 8/2026 | Board of Directors

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.