We tried using our older riding mower, but the engine failed after 45 minutes or so of mowing. The model and serial number on the engine indicates the engine was made in 2005, so the mower is 13-14 years old, perhaps too young too die, but who knows? We explored repair options and concluded repair costs would be too high for a mower of this age. We will replace the mower this fall or next spring.
After seeking bids to prepare and paint the walls in the old kindergarten classroom and the old Wiggle Room, we were unable to find a painter at a reasonable cost and acceptable schedule. We decided to do this work ourselves with the Thursday Group and other available volunteers. We disposed of or relocated items in these rooms. The walls in the new Wiggle Room were stripped, repaired and painted. Furniture and equipment has been moved into the room and it is back in service in its new location. A few details remain to be finished. With this phase of the project nearing completion, we will be working on stripping, repairing, and painting walls for the new conference room. Special thanks to Richard Topping, Bernie Olsen, Bob Hollister, Jill Larson, Lara Scammon, Barry Philbrick, Erica Nania, Don Gindlesperger, and Len Small for helping with this effort in various ways.
We typically have two annual inspections/tests for our fire safety equipment. The first of these assures proper operation of the Fire Alarm Panel and heat sensors throughout the building. This system sounds alarms and notifies the fire department if heat sensors in the building are activated. This is typically a routine test, although we sometimes replace a battery in the panel. This inspection was last completed in May of this year. The second inspection addresses all of our emergency lighting and fire extinguishers. Emergency lights are tested to see that they function on batteries, and the batteries are stress tested to verify lights can be powered for the fire code required 90 minutes. Fire extinguishers are inspected to verify they are fully charged and operational and hydrostatic testing is within the required time intervals. These tests were last completed in August and September.
This year, costs for fire safety equipment testing and service has been relatively high, about $1800, for basic testing, replacement batteries, fire extinguisher service, and fire extinguisher hydrostatic pressure testing. There will be additional costs this year and next year for normal annual inspections and to bring our facility into compliance with life safety code issues identified by the fire department in their most recent walk-through of our building. Most of these code issues involve the need for additional emergency lights, additional lighting and signage for emergency exits, and improper operation of several emergency exit doors. We will be working to resolve all of these code issues by next summer.