Updates

AQP Update – March 27, 2023

The installation of our new whole building ventilation system and the new boiler (providing heat to the Sanctuary and Vestry) is finally complete.  The removal of the asbestos from the disconnected forced air heating units in the basement will be completed in August 2023.  After setting aside funds for the asbestos removal we will use the remaining AQP funds to decommission the 38-year-old boiler located in the basement which heats the offices and classrooms.  The existing baseboard heating system for the offices and classrooms will be hooked up to the new boiler.  Our new boiler has enough capacity to heat our existing building and meet any future building addition needs.  We would like to thank the congregation for your financial support and patience while we completed this important project to provide for a safer air quality environment in our 158-year-old building. 

AQP Progress Update-October 13, 2022

In the past 2 weeks we have had some challenges wrapping up the Air Quality Project. From reading the ENews, you probably learned that the sanctuary ERV is not running. The exhaust fan that serves the unit failed unexpectedly. It is under warranty and has been ordered. Unfortunately, the wrong part was ordered, delaying the repair for another week. We will update you as soon as it is running again. In the meantime, if you have been to worship, you will notice we are running HEPA filters. There are also MERV 13 filters that provide some air quality improvement. ALL other parts of the new air handling system in the building are working properly. 

While our new boiler has been put in place, we are now delayed on its installation because we learned that the chimney that it exhausts into is not lined. This is the chimney on the north side of the building. This is out of code, and a liner is necessary for the installation of the new boiler. The AQP Team has been gathering estimates from local chimney specialists to get the work completed as quickly as we can. 

If you have questions, we encourage you to come to this Sundays Activity Fair and seek out a UCM Board member: Meredith Warner, Vic Guadagno or Hugo Liepmann.

AQP Progress Update-September 13, 2022

AQP Management Team member Allen Clark presented an overview of the recently completed ventilation system portion of the AQP to the Alliance meeting on Tuesday, September 13, 2022.  To review the presentation, click here.

AQP Progress Update - August 17, 2022

The three ventilation units (Sanctuary, Vestry, Office/Classroom) are now installed and functioning via manual controls.  The next step is to connect each of the three ERVs to the UCM computer network so the units can be programmed to automatically turn on and off.  This step requires pulling wires through the building from the units to the front office and programing the units.  This step is expected to be completed by the end of August.

“Silencers” were installed in the return ductwork in the Sanctuary to reduce the level of noise.  Our engineer needs to review the installation, work with us to raise the flow rate to full speed and confirm the noise level (he measured the level prior to the installation).

We believe a contractor has been lined up for taping and patching the ductwork in August.  It has been very challenging for the AQP team to find someone who is reliable.  Kris will keep Emily updated as to timing because the office space will be impacted.

The walls and floor in the Bell Tower room have been repaired.  New carpeting has been ordered.  A change order was submitted to TMI to add baseboard heating to the room which will replace the electric resistance heaters.  Installation is expected in the next several weeks.  Once that is completed the carpeting can be installed.  The room is not expected to be fully ready for the September cleaning dates but some cleaning can still be done in the room and the room should be functional.

The boiler delivery date is still scheduled for mid to late November.  Our engineer and the AQP team have met and reviewed the current forced air heating system and they believe, with a couple of modifications, it can still be used to provide heat to the building.  The need to use the current furnace will delay the asbestos abatement to a future date.

The carpentry work to enclose the new Boiler Room (the two closets off the Toddler Room) should be completed in the next couple of weeks.  It is believed that the Community Lunch storage carts will fit into the new space and currently there is no need to modify the Toddler Room to provide additional storage space.  All cleaning supplies will need to be stored in the basement.

During installation of the baseboard heating in the Vestry, it was discovered that the Toddler Room needed baseboard heating added and this was included in the above Bell Tower room change order.

AQP Progress Update - April 28, 2022

Update on AQP Project:

• The AQP team approved a change order on April 14 to remove the electric heat unit from the Bell Tower room and add heat connected to the new heat system.

• Soffit framing in the vestry will be finished by the end of April, then drywalling will begin.


• A Northfield based sheetrock company is scheduled to do the taping on the soffits the week after the last service (week of June 12).


• ERVs are scheduled to be installed the week of May 18.


• Boiler is scheduled for delivered in late July.


• Except for the installation of the boiler, the AQP is scheduled to be largely complete by the end of June.


• Asbestos removal will happen in the last 2 weeks of August.

Update on proposed heat pumps project: 

The AQP is asking the UCM Governing Board to explore how to proceed with the proposed sanctuary heat pump project after a donor generously made a financial offer in support of this work. The AQP team would like the Board to consider how we engage the congregation, how to build a team to explore and possibly impliment, how to consider donor-driven projects and their broader implications for our UCM community. The AQP Team discusssed the relevance of the following in this discussion:

• Our Congregational Covenant

• UCM Donor-Based Project Policy 

• Financial Management Policies

Slade Engineering is working on a proposed heat pump design for the sanctuary. We should have a design shortly. Following that, we will ask the electricians to finalize their estimate. We are requesting costs to:

• Wire the boiler room and wiring for the ERVs to the existing electrical panel in the basement.


• Relocate the electrical panels from the basement to the new boiler room.


• Wire for 2 heat pumps to serve the sanctuary.


• Upgrade electrical service to 400 amps (required if we go forward with heat pumps) and alternatively, cost to upgrade to 3-phase (likely needed for potential kitchen upgrades and additional heat pumps to serve the rest of the building).

April 12, 2022 - Summary of Walk Through with Slide Engineering

• Discussed of ways to cover the ducts in the Vestry to make them as unobtrusive as possible.

• Recommended discussion with TMI moving one row of the ducts (north side of room) to be closer to the center poles with TMI.

• Reviewed covering ducts on the lobby ceiling allowing for ample headroom.

• Discussed the need to widen door and cut hole in wall to Bell Tower closet in order to get the ERV equipment into the space.

• There is no need to cover the ducts behind the organ.

• Spaces are ready in the north side to place vents.

• An additional support beam will be added in the basement to support the boiler room floor.

• With the electric circuits identification project completed there is ample power capacity for the ERVs - an electrician will need to determine which circuits can be combined, etc. to free up needed circuits.

• Two circuits will be freed up with the decommissioning of the current forced air heating system.

March 9th AQP Update from Rev. Joan

Please enjoy this video update from Rev. Joan.  The next AQP Congregational Q&A will be held on zoom on April 26th. Questions about the AQP can be directed to ucm.reopening@gmail.com

Blessing for the UCM Air Quality Project (Feb 7, 2022)

For all those whose imagination, creativity, and vision have brought forward the plans, designs, and drawings that make this project possible…We bless you.

For all those whose names we will never know who assemble, package, and transport by ship and by truck the ducts, boiler, and air exchange equipment necessary for this project…We bless you.

For all those whose hands will take up the tools to demolish and open up walls, tear up floors, saw new planks, carry heavy equipment, screw and fasten bolts, run electrical wires, and otherwise labor and construct from start to finish…We bless you.

For this sacred house of worship and fellowship, whose walls and joists and floorboards hold the memories and stories of generations upon generations past and yet to come, who will one day very soon welcome us back as a gathered community…We bless you.

May we feel our hearts gladdened as construction begins, 

May the process be smooth and unfold with minimum delay, 

May we show patience and kindness with one another and will all the unexpected twists and turns that may yet arise, 

and may the day come sooner rather than later that we gather safely together once again sharing the beautiful, fresh air flowing throughout these walls. 

So may it be.

(Video of the Building Blessing below)

Feb 5, 2022 - Warning for a Special Congregational Meeting

On Sunday, Feb 13th, 2022, UCM will hold a congregational meeting with two questions posed for a vote. One of those questions relates to the AQP and asks:

Shall UCM allocate recent donations of $50,000, and $58,000 (20% Contingency – TO BE USED ONLY IF NEEDED) from the Long Term Invested Fund, to meet the increased estimates for our Air Quality Project?

To read the full Warning, please go here.

On Tuesday, Feb 8th at 5:30pm, the AQP Team wil hold a congregational Q&A. Please join us to learn more about the question. Link for the meeting is in the main page of this website.

Below it the current AQP Team's current budget. Please note that the congregation authorized a budget of $250,000 in June of 2021.

Feb 2, 2022

An upcoming congregational vote will ask members to approve a budget increase for the Air Quality Project. We would also like to announce some targetted donations from congregants to allocate to the project. SAVE THE DATE for a congregational vote on Sunday, February 13, 2022 at 11am, after worship.

For more details, please join AQP Team members during Coffee Hour on Sunday, Feb 6th after worship OR come to the Congregational Q&A on Tuesday, Feb 8th at 5:30pm on zoom. Go to the AQP homepage to find the zoom link for the Tuesday evening meeting.

January 26, 2022

Most days, the Air Quality Project feels like a “choose your own adventure” book, or a puzzle. Communicating the twists and turns of the project over time has been a challenge. We hope you’ve kept up with the project through our FAQ’s, our meeting notes and our periodic updates. If you haven’t yet, we invite you to come up to speed as our contractor prepares to start on the project. The AQP Team has much to share with you at this juncture. This update below comes in two parts.

Part I: Current Progress

Currently, our engineer is modifying the approved plans. The UCM kitchen is the focus of the modification. Our original plan to add infrastructure in the kitchen is proving to be too complex. We have landed on an alternative, which is currently being integrated into the design by our engineer.

Once the modified design for the kitchen is approved by the AQP Management Team and the ET, we will deliver it to our contractor as a “change order.” A change order is a request to modify the project, as defined in our contract. They will review the change order and let us know if there are any modifications to the cost of the AQP installation. 

Once the change order is approved by the contractor, we’ll start to have a better sense of a timeline. Some of the work will be dependent on the availability of materials. We can already anticipate a 12-14 week delay on the ERV’s, and possibly the new boiler. Despite delays, our contractor will start the work promptly, installing ducts, pipes, etc. prior to the arrival of the ERV’s and boiler.

The construction will affect building access. Of course, our various contractors are committed to minimizing impact and keeping their work spaces clean so as not to impede our use. (Note: We are still in a Covid surge and the Covid Task Force has recommended limiting building use to essential functions only during this period.) Once our contractor starts construction, we hope to have a better sense of building use. We are under the impression that the Sanctuary will be pretty accessible and the Bell Tower room will be the most impacted and most inaccessible. Please review the plans in the Jan 5th AQP update to learn more about how spaces are affected.

The contract we signed with Thomas Mechanical, Inc. falls within the budget that was authorized by the Congregation in June 2021. Nevertheless, we anticipate costs beyond the installation work that will be done by Thomas Mechanical like electrical, carpentry, asbestos abatement and engineering costs. Our best estimate right now is that a budget increase of approximately $50K will be necessary. That number includes a contingency, because if there is one thing we have learned, it is that old buildings always have special surprises for you once you start construction. We also want to share that two generous donors have come forth to cover the additional $50K. We anticipate congregational education, discernment and a vote in the coming months to request approval of this allocation, should it be needed. Please be patient and stay tuned as we gather all the information necessary to support the congregation to participate in discerning our best path forward.

Part II: A Proposed Addition to the AQP

A UCM member has come forth with a proposed addition to the Air Quality Project. The aim of their proposal is to move us toward our net zero goals, an idea first explored by the Net Zero Working Group and then the Building for the Future Steering Committee. This member would like to donate $70K toward installing heat pumps in the sanctuary. As soon as our engineer finishes the changes to the kitchen plan, he will move on to exploring a design for heat pumps. We do know that adding heat pumps will require a substantial change to the electrical systems in the building. Because our building sits in a flood zone the city will require us to move the electrical panel upstairs - this will need to be designed by an electrical engineer. The AQP Team is still in the early exploration phase of this proposed addition. We need designs and estimates before we can understand its full impact and then communicate those with clarity to the congregation. 

Please note that the Air Quality Project as approved by the Congregation is moving forward. This potential heat pump project will not affect its progress. We will need to decide relatively soon if we’d like to make this addition, as there may be overlapping construction aspects of the two projects. Please stay tuned, as this change will also require congregational discernment and a vote if the AQP Team and ET recommend moving forward with it.

For everyone, these pandemic years have been anything but stable. The only thing that is certain, is uncertainty. Everytime we make a decision, the ground beneath us moves. The Air Quality Project is also highly subject to this instability– because of the nature of renovating old buildings, because our building is in a floodplain during a time of climate crisis, because it is pandemic-times and everything and everyone around us is having to be responsive at every moment. We appreciate you coming along with the AQP Team as we navigate and implement this project during these challenging times. 

We invite you to attend the next AQP Congregational Q&A on February 22nd. You can find the link to the meeting on the website homepage. If you have any specific questions or concerns for the AQP Team, please email us at ucm.reopening@gmail.com

January 5, 2022

In November of 2021, a final plan for the Air Quality Project was submitted to the AQP Team by our engineer, David Slade. Following its review, the plan was approved by both the AQP Team and by the ET. Once the plan was approved, we moved to the bidding process. Much work was completed by the ET to prepare the bid documents, ensuring all city permits were in place and our team consulted with a local contract lawyer. In mid-November, the bid documents were released, and contractor candidates toured the building and reviewed David Slade's plans. 

On December 6, 2021 two companies, out of four who expressed interest, submitted bids to the project. Both of them prepared their bids during the Thanksgiving Holiday. We were so grateful.

On January 3, 2022, the AQP Team officially recommended that the Board sign a contract with the company of our choice. We are not sharing their name yet, as we are preparing this announcement before we have officially notified the bidders. The Contractor that was selected comes highly recommended by our engineer. It feels like a good match.

Finally, on January 4, 2022, the UCM Board voted to sign the contract for the recommended contractor. We are elated to be moving forward and ordering our equipment, which is currently in exceedingly high demand.

The AQP Team is currently doing pre-construction planning. We will be working with the contractor to figure out timing and sequence of the project, as well as determining how it will impact building access. We will also be discussing how building access will effect the limited programming that does still happen in the building. 

______

Recap of the Air Quality Project Plan

Broad Explanation of the system

Heating System:

• A hot water boiler, fueled by a percentage of  biofuel, will be located in the closets currently located outside of the kitchen. It will be placed 2 feet above the floor (required by code).

• This location can utilize the existing chimney (currently the chimney for the Vestry furnace).

• Baseboard hot water will be used to heat the Vestry, Fireplace Room, Room, and Sanctuary. Note: The Office/Classroom Addition is already heated with baseboard heating from an existing boiler that will remain in the basement.

Outside Air Ventilation System (Energy Recovery Ventilation = ERVs)

• Two ERV’s will be installed in the Bell Tower Room “closet” (for Sanctuary and Vestry.)

• One ERV will be installed in the Northwest corner of the Kitchen ceiling (for Kitchen and the Office/Classroom Addition.)

Impacts on Rooms/Spaces

Community Lunch Closets

• The boiler which will be located in the closet, is sized larger than is required in anticipation of removing the existing boiler in the basement that serves the addition. Future expansions are also a factor in the boiler's size.

• The window on the back of the stage will be removed (connect to closet.)

• New locations for Community Lunch closet and cleaning supplies will be needed.

• In addition to fire rated walls and doors, sound insulation will be a priority.

Kitchen/Vestry Connector Room

• New “closets/storage” will be built in this space to compensate for loss of Community Lunch closet space. (proposed)

Vestry

• Baseboard heating along outer walls.

• Ducts to deliver fresh air to the Vestry and Sanctuary will be located on the ceiling of the vestry. Ducts will be approximately 2 feet wide and 1 ½ feet down from the ceiling and will be designed to integrate aesthetically with the existing architecture of the space.

• Existing chases in the Vestry will be utilized.

• The light fixtures will need to be moved.

Main St Lobby (at the base of the two stairs)

• A duct will be approximately 2 feet wide and 1 ½ feet down from the ceiling and will be designed to integrate aesthetically with the existing architecture of the space.

Bell Tower Room & Closet

• The room itself will have appropriate intake and exhaust to the ERV.

• The ERV vents/ductwork travel under the floor of the Bell Tower Room to connect to both the Sanctuary and Vestry ducts referred to above.

• Fresh air intake and return air discharge will be directed to the attic/steeple above the Bell Tower “closet”.

Sanctuary

• Four convection hot water units (no fans), located on outer walls of the rear of the Sanctuary and on the chancel.

• Fresh ERV air will be delivered to the Sanctuary via the existing floor registers (currently return ducts for the current heating system).

• Returns will be located high in the east wall above the Bell Tower ceiling.

Kitchen

• The ERV will be placed in the upper corner of the kitchen ceiling above the dishwashing station.

• This unit will feed into the addition serving the offices, hallway, nursery, small classroom, fireplace room and Children’s Chapel.

Closet Behind Organ

• Ductwork from the kitchen HRV will run up the northwest corner to supply outside air to the second floor of the addition.

Office/Classroom Addition

• Ducts will run along the ceiling of the downstairs corridor, supplying fresh air to each of the offices and nursery.

• The ducts in the space behind the organ will supply the Children's Chapel and AV Room with fresh air. A duct will run on the ceiling to supply the small classroom.

Exterior

• Intake and exhaust for the Bell Tower ERV will be located in the steeple by way of panels that are currently blocked off. These are designed to integrate visually and architecturally with the exterior of the steeple. The exterior location of the vents have been approved by the Montpelier Design Review Board.

Nov 27, 2021 

The Nov 9th meeting of the AQP&TU was cancelled due to a conflict with the Committee of Chairs meeting. Hugo, Meredith, and Vic provided an update to CoC on both projects.

If you continue to have questions about the project, we suggest you read our comprehensive FAQ document. There are questions that address: the plans, the type of heat system, efficiency, our Net Zero goals, the basement, the ventilation system, and the impact of different areas of the church.

The next AQP&TU Meeting for Congregational Update is on zoom from 5:30-6pm on Tuesday, November 22nd. Click here to join. All are welcome.

Oct 20, 2021 - AQP&TU Update

Air Quality & Heat Update

***The next AQP&TU Meeting for Congregational Update is on zoom from 5:30-6pm on Wednesday, Oct 26th. Click here to join. All are welcome.

Over the course of the last few weeks, volunteers from the ET, Board and AQP&TU Team have collaborated to draft and approve the project’s Charge. This document lays out the inter connected roles of those who are responsible for seeing the project to completion. You can read the AQP&TU Charge here.

The design documents (drawings) for our new ventilation and heat system are coming along, but not yet complete. Our engineer, David Slade, has been a great partner— answering questions and making important adjustments along the way. We have begun the paperwork for the building permitting process, and we are working on preparing the bid documents. We are compiling all necessary supporting documents now so that we can move quickly once the plans are received and approved. We still don’t have a good sense of a timeline for the project which is dependent on speedy approval process, a smooth bidding process and the availability of both materials and labor. For a refesher on the prelinimary plans, please refer to the previous update below, dated September 17th, 2021.

If you continue to have questions about the project, we suggest you read our comprehensive FAQ document. There are questions that address: the plans, the type of heat system, efficiency, our Net Zero goals, the basement, the ventilation system, and the impact of different areas of the church.

Tech Update

Above you can see our current set up for the new technology that is making our worship services possible.  It is a temporary table in the rear of the sanctuary where our Tech Team sits to move cameras, adjust audio, etc. There are wires dangling about, and laced through the pews. This is not its intended set up, but it's been ideal as staff and volunteers learn to use these new tools..

We needed a home for our “AV Control Room”— preferably not one in the Sanctuary. After exploring many different options, and seeking advice from prime users of spaces, the AQP&TU Team made a recommendation about a more permanent location: the area between the chancel and the Children’s Chapel on the south side of the building. This area housed a hallway that connected to the Children’s Chapel and had a small records room that housed the Church’s Music and History archive. The recommendation for this area was made after consultation with folks from both our Music and History Committees. Working around the Building For the Future Plans was also a priority in space selection. (See the drawing for the new AV Control Room and revised floorplan here.)

After the plan was approved, the history and music archives found a temporary home for the duration of construction. A contractor was hired and the work began under the supervision of the AQP&TU Team. The work is approximately 90% complete with the exception of the new wiring that will connect the equipment in the Sanctuary (cameras and mics) to the AV Control Room.

The Tech Team is seeking volunteers who are interested in digital media production to be trained on this amazing technology. It is a great opportunity to learn a new skill that has a lot of application in the broader world.

Images Below

Row 1, left: Entry that you access through the south side of the chancel, that connects to the Children's Chapel. 

Row 2, right: From the Children's Chapel looking into the same space, with the history & music room to the left once you enter the hallway.