Proposed Projects

Make Access to the Common Room and Rear Garden More Inclusive

As a community, we value inclusion in all aspects of our lives together, but the stone steps between the Common Room and the Rear Garden are not accessible for mobility impaired people, and the ground in that area is uneven. Social gatherings that spill into the yard cannot include everyone. In the event of a power outage, wheelchair users need to wait for emergency responders to exit the building. Options to improve access include installing a battery-operated outdoor wheelchair lift or an ADA-compliant ramp and adding a backyard patio or ground stabilization with possible landscaping.

Replace the HVAC System for the Rear Addition

The rear addition to the historic 1817 building has four gas-fired rooftop units that provide heating for the newer part of the building. Three of the four units are 25 years old and at imminent risk for failure. Large parts of the rear addition could suddenly go without heat, which may lead to frozen pipes, limited use of the building, and emergency services costs. The rear addition HVAC system could be replaced with several options, including an in-kind gas-fired rooftop unit replacement, air-source heat pumps, or a geothermal system. Additional energy conservation measures (e.g., lighting upgrades and building envelope improvements) are also under consideration.

Repair and Upgrade the Fire Suppression System

The fire suppression system was installed 50 years ago. It is a “dry” system where air keeps valves closed to avoid water freezing during wintertime. An electric-powered compressor counters micro-leaks to maintain pipe air pressure. During heat detection events, water is supposed to be released to put out fires — but this aging system has been experiencing more and more leaks and the possibility of expensive repairs. The risk of inadvertent flooding during power outages is rising over time. Pipe repairs and replacement have been ongoing, but some more significant system upgrades are recommended in addition to more pipe repairs.

Install a Backup Generator

First Parish does not have a backup power system in the event of a power outage. This puts people at risk, particularly those with disabilities, who rely on the elevator to evacuate the building safely. The fire suppression system also puts our building at risk of water damage without electricity to power the air compressor that keeps the pipes clear of water. We have been considering many options for several years, and with our consultant, GreenerU, we are developing a plan. Options that have been considered so far include battery storage, a gas-fired emergency generator, and a diesel-fueled emergency generator. We are looking into putting this new equipment in the vault located near the Elm Street entrance.

Repair and Update the Organ

First Parish has a 139-year-old G.G. Hook & Hastings pipe organ with entirely mechanical parts, which can be laborious to maintain and which very few companies can service. Many parts are original and, despite careful care, are badly in need of repair to ensure the organ’s viability for the next 50 years. If left unaddressed, the organ could suddenly stop working and require expensive emergency repairs. We would like to use Capital Campaign funds for an overhaul of the organ by its longtime maintenance provider that is already planned for the summer of 2026 .

Replace the Kitchen Range

The gas-fired range in the Common Room kitchen is more than 20 years old and has some leaks. The stove could be replaced in kind (with natural gas), replaced with an electric stove/oven, replaced with an induction cooktop, or removed altogether. Replacement may also require additional kitchen cosmetic upgrades. All solutions will factor in user safety. Electric solutions may require an electric capacity upgrade.

Improve the Acoustics in Rooms 201 and 204

• Room 201 serves as a living space for families served by First Parish. The space has laminate flooring, no curtains, and a small area rug. Noise, primarily from babies and children, is audible in other second-floor locations and can be disruptive and distracting for office staff. Sound mitigation could be achieved most cheaply through carpeting and padding. Acoustic paneling would be another step, and the maximum noise dampening efforts would involve demolishing the office ceiling and installing acoustic soundproofing material.

• Room 204 is one of the most heavily used rooms in the building with meetings taking place in the space most weeknights. For participants meeting in person or on Zoom via our Owl camera, sound bouncing off the many windows and other hard surfaces in the room can make it hard to understand what people are saying. Possible improvements could include carpeting, acoustic wall panels, and ceiling treatments.

Improve Accessibility in the Parsonage with a Bathroom Upgrade and Additional Doors

The Parsonage, where the Senior Minister lives, also hosts immigrant families. Currently, there is only a half bath on the first floor, so anyone with a disability who cannot climb a flight of stairs is also unable to reach the second-floor bathroom to shower. In addition, there is currently no door to separate the first-floor living room and an additional room, which limits the space’s use due to noise and lack of privacy. Upgrading the first-floor half bath to a three-quarters bath, which would include a shower that could accommodate individuals with disabilities, would improve accessibility. Installing double doors between the first-floor living room and the additional space would enable them to be used together or separately, creating more options for use of the spaces.