Members of the congregation and Rev. Valerie met after services to discuss the latest news from the Building Team and our project. The meeting was led by Mark Sisson in the absence of Ray Calamari and Brian Davis, who were unable to attend.

Mark noted that for the duration of the meeting, “Building Team” would refer to Mr. Davis, Mr. Calamari and the entire team – Suzette Reiss, Sherry Smith, Mark Sisson and Beth Peterson, with Susan Pond in attendance as Board President.

The estimate given by Burger Construction, while not presented, was noted to be 1/3 again over the budget we have. The BT expressed their frustration with this number as Mr. Burger should have been aware of our budget, both from his work with Davis and Calamari, and also with Peter Marren.  The BT, and the congregation, feel strongly the need to contact other builders for their estimates.  Some builders were suggested by Suzette Reiss, others were from Ray Calamari. The
congregation was asked to forward information about any builders they might know to the BT.

Mark noted the plan drawings are completed enough that we will be able to determine the best choice moving forward. Mark then detailed some of the cost reduction efforts the BT had undertaken.

He also reported we still may be able to find a builder who can build the “original” plan. The project is moving through the Southold Town building department; any reduction in scope should not delay this any further.

Mark thanked the congregation for their patience throughout this arduous process. With any luck, we should still be able to build a church we can all be proud of.