PRESENT

Rachel Dretzin (remote), Susan Krim, Miri Navasky (remote), Alfred Souza, and Eva Thaddeus from the Board. Dmitri Cavender, Megan Gelstein, and Bruno Navasky from the community.

BOARD OFFICERS

The board determined to maintain their current offices, with Eva as president, Alfred as Vice President, Susan as Treasurer, and Miri and Rachel sharing the roles of Assistant Treasurer and Secretary.

BARN RESTORATION

Bruno reported in detail on the barn restoration. Apparently Tom Shepherd had built his original estimate with the intention of pouring three bays worth of concrete, but discovered that there would need to be four bays, which would have resulted in a cost overrun. Instead tom recommended the following, along with recommendations for other choices that the board needs to make:

• Tom proposes to omit the concrete and use a vinyl subfloor envelope instead. He says it’s better protection from rodents, and a more effective vapor barrier to protect the wood in the barn. It’s a relatively new technology and the oldest installation that Tom has done is about 20 years now, with no problems, but if we do run into issues it’s patchable. If we follow Tom’s recommendation we can complete the project within our budget; otherwise there will be significant additional costs for the extra concrete bay.

•  The wall separating the far left bay from the rest of the barn can be either removed or retained and restored within our budget. Tom recommends that we keep the wall.

• There are a number of original ceiling beams that might form a base structure for a loft. Although the loft itself isn’t a part of our plan, Tom recommends that we consolidate any unused beams in that area for aesthetics and possible future use, but we could also ask them to remove them and haul them off without affecting the budget. 

• Tom recommends that we leave the remaining three bays open, and that we pressure wash and treat the entire barn interior. In addition to cleaning, this may help straighten some of the original wood that has warped with moisture over the years.

• The windows can be either left as is, removed and sided over, or replaced with aesthetically appropriate barn sash at an additional cost. Tom recommends removing the windows and adding what we want at a later date after full consideration of the lighting and space in the restored barn.

Eva moved that the board approve Tom’s recommended modifications to his original barn renovation proposal. Alfred seconded the motion and the board unanimously approved it. The board also agreed to ask Tom to explore options for insect screens so that we can have light through the doors during the interim without a lot of insects, and dig a hole for an environmentally friendly outhouse behind the barn. [Note: a majority of the board subsequently voted by email to retain the original windows 3-0, with 2 abstentions.]