Property & Grounds Annual Report Fiscal Year 2022-2023:
Committee members: Winslow Womack, Bill Lane, Robert Gladney, Nancy Robbins, Matt Moore, Drew Gundlach, Dan Sweeney, Priscilla Bond Sener, Clay Owens, Ben Tilghman, and Larny Claggett, clerk.
Activities from 10/22 to 10/23
A. Implement recommendations by Guide One, our insurance carrier, to reduce risk.
We were "advised" to service smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and install exit signs in common room. This was a joint effort with the Trustees with special help by Clay Owens, Bill Lane, Priscilla Sener, and Larissa Kitenko.
B. Repair and paint wainscoting and north wall of brick meetinghouse.
Scott Cronshaw and Mark Cummings were the primary contractors and Robert Gladney coordinated the effort for the Meeting.
C. Meeting-wide semi-annual clean-up days in the spring and late fall with the usual efforts to mulch the beds with raked leaves, weeding and vine pruning, mowing, painting of Annie's cottage, and general cleaning of buildings.
It was recognized that some persons couldn't make the clean-up day, but were able to come at other days. There is always much to do.
D. Coordinated the spreading of stones on the drives and deep cleaning of the common room in advance of special meetings in May.
E. Vines are a growing problem.
Most of the ivy and other vines were removed along the brick wall and some treatment has been applied, but they will grow back. Efforts to keep ahead of weed and vine growth in the border area have been less successful. But that is a much larger and wilder area. Property and Grounds, with support of the Land Use Planning Committee (now merged with the Planning Committee), is obtaining professional help with vines and other destructive invasive species.