Dear Parishioners:
The Rectory Boiler Project was completed this past week. The entire project included an asbestos study by engineers, asbestos abatement, the destruction and removal of the old boiler, a second air quality study by the engineers, and the new boiler and hot water heater installation. It took just about a month. We also managed to paint the boiler room that hasn't seen a coat of paint since the 1960s.
The new boiler cost $40,000 and we are grateful to Steve Rossi of New England Boiler Works for expediting the process. The old boiler died on December 22nd, and due to the Christmas holiday and vacation, a new one wasn't easy to obtain quickly. New England Boiler Works made the trip to New York to pick up the new boiler to expedite its installation.
We also thank OLM Parishioner Val Tirocchi, who owns and operates AA Asbestos Abatement, for his quick response to this emergency. His crew spent considerable time removing asbestos and then destroying the old boiler for removal. The old boiler was about 53 years old and very large, so it was quite a job!
The total costs for the project are close to $60,000. The environmental engineering studies mandated by law cost about $2,000. The asbestos abatement and removal of the old boiler cost about $12,000. We are waiting for the costs of installing the boiler, the plumping, and electric work. The old boiler was oil burning, while the new boiler is gas. Gas heat should make for more efficient heating in the rectory.
Again I offer my thanks to those parishioners who supported the Grateful for God's Providence Capital Campaign. The campaign funds this project. We've now installed three much-needed boilers in the rectory and convents, thanks to the capital campaign.
We've also installed new security cameras across the Church property and updated our school's security cameras. This security system, too, was funded by the capital campaign. Sadly such a system is needed in the times we live in today. We will soon post the required signs indicating that video camera surveillance is in operation at OLM. The security system allows us to monitor the property for theft or vandalism and keep the Church open for private prayer throughout the day without too much worry. The cost of this project was $10,000, and BCI Computers did the work. It also was financed as a result of the capital campaign. We are grateful for your financial support of these projects.
BCI Computers came to our rescue back in March when the government imposed lockdown occurred, and we had to close the Church and stop the public celebration of Mass. We asked for assistance from the Vice-President of BCI, Andrew R. Calore, an OLM Parishioner (soon to be married here!). He quickly responded to our request for a Livestream system at OLM when they were in high demand. BCI worked closely with Fr. Barrow, our tech wizard, to ensure the timely installation.
The Livestream system allows us to offer Sunday Mass, funerals, baptisms, weddings, and other essential events online. It has been a great benefit to many during this pandemic. Many of our elderly and infirm can participate, albeit remotely, in the parish's liturgical life. Also, families who cannot attend funerals and other events can join from across the country. It cost $7,500, and an anonymous parishioner generously donated the entire cost.
We hope to begin moving forward on the significant capital campaign project of replacing the over 50-year-old doors to the Church. They are showing their age, do not work well, and many of them are beginning to rot. We've had the architects and door design companies working on the project and hope to start in the spring. We plan to have one of the doors open electronically for those who are disabled or infirm. We await the estimate for this project's cost, and it is being funded directly by the capital campaign.
We kick off Catholic Schools Week next Sunday. OLM Students are speaking at all Masses about their experience at our outstanding parish school. Keep the students and faculty in your prayers. May they strive to be the saints and scholars God calls them to be.
Stay safe. Be well. Do good. God Bless.