Third Haven Friends Meeting Trustees
2016 Annual Report
I will begin my report with a short recap of the history of the Trustees of THMM. Since Marsie Hawkinson has covered the topic in past reports, I am going to quote her summary:
In 1948, the Trustees of Third Haven Monthly Meeting of the Society of Friends was incorporated with the agreement of the Third Haven Monthly Meeting of the Society of Friends. Membership and activity was at a low point, and it was feared that the Meeting might be put down, in which the property and grounds would revert to Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. Friends wanted to be sure that the care of Third Haven would remain with the people who had been involved through the years. The Trustees are the owners of the buildings and property.
The Trustees meet at least once yearly, usually in March. This year's annual meeting was held on April 1. The seven trustees, all members of the Meeting, include Kenneth Carroll, Larny Claggett, Marsie Hawkinson, Allan Mielke, Sumner Parker, Diana Rein and Adrienne Rudge. Most of the funds that have accumulated through legacy and other gifts are invested with Friends Fiduciary Corporation in Philadelphia. A small account is currently held at Wye Financial to facilitate paying bills locally. Due to Friends Fiduciary's recently changing their access to invested funds, consideration is being given to placing all of our investments with them.
Traditionally, the Trustees pay for major capital expenses such as a new roof, a new heating system or the removal of hazardous trees. The Meeting covers operational expenses. At our April 1 meeting, the Trustees read a minute from the Third Haven Monthly Meeting held March 13, 2016, which affirmed the Meeting's belief in the importance of handicap access to the Old Meeting House and its support of the proposed design for a ramp and railing. The Meeting accepted the estimated costs of $15,500 and committed to spending funds to pay for the project. The Meeting invited the Trustees to join them in supporting the project. The Trustees decided that the Corporation would pay $8,000, approximately half of the cost.
A report from the clerk of the Property and Grounds Committee detailed projects that have been accomplished recently, those that are in the works and those that are anticipated. The Trustees decided that the Corporation would pay for the following: $5705 for the Common Room bathroom upgrades and tiles for the hall and kitchen; $700 to replace the water heater in the caretaker cottage and $1000 to repair the siding on the Old Meeting House. The Trustees are prepared to cover the cost of a heating and air conditioning replacement system for the caretaker cottage and will respond when financial projections are available. The Trustees commend the work of the Property and Grounds Committee.
This report is given for the information of the Meeting each year and requires no action.
Adrienne Rudge, President, Trustees of Third Haven Monthly Meeting