Common House minutes: 2009-08-23

Minutes:

Present: Adi, Mac, Rachel, Helen, Emily, Katie, Becky

Agenda:
*Questions from Helen for Work Committee
*Update on Floor
*Budgeting talks continued
*MISC
*Date for next 2 meetings.

1. Helen had a question on the job description for CH maint.
coordinator. It wasn't spelled out clearly that they also need to
check the log on the fridge, and do whatever jobs they can. Emily
will update the wiki so it is clear.

2. The floor incident. So, several folks were concerned about the
lightness of the green. Then we had a child walk thru it. For $100,
we were able to darken it AND fix the footprint. It seems that since
we were considering darkening it anyway, that it is not necessary to
charge anybody for this. Another child walked thru yesterday, but
doesn't seem to have left marks. HOWEVER, if any more prints show up,
we won't have the funds to fix and will likely start charging folks.
We added orange snow fencing to the barricades today. Another notice
will go out pleading with parents to closely monitor kids until this
is over.

3. Budget stuff. Last week several members of the committee met to
start the brainstorming list. We started with that list and the
recommendations left from the IR study.

* The terms 'attic fan' and 'whole house fan' had been used
interchangeably before. We clarified the difference and discussed
both. A whole house fan is primarily for cooling the building at
night, and requires that you open windows, and then close them later.
At this time, we don't think this is a good idea.

The attic fan, which lowers the temperature in the attic space in the
summer, *might* save on AC costs. But we did add a great deal of
insulation, so we're not sure. Becky will contact the company that
put in the insulation to get their opinion.

Part of the problem people were trying to solve with these ideas was
better ventilation in the kitchen. We will look into getting a second
exhaust, that could vent directly outside, for above the big sink.
This would primarily be used when something is burning or the food has
a really strong smell.

The other big problem is the musty smell in the CH. This is mostly
due to 2 things: the intake and outflow for several rooms are all up
high -they really should be on different levels; and, these rooms
usually have the doors closed, which just compounds the problem.

While a humidifier might help, and we are willing to try a donated
one, that also presents problems: emptying, keeping kids out, etc.

What was recommended was to either change the ducts (expensive) or put
in ceiling fans. We will try ceiling fans first. Budget for 2-3
fans, depending on space in playroom (need to have a LOT of clearance
from the loft)

*Blinds for Game/play and sitting room. Put in budget as part of
lowering heating/cooling costs
*budget for replacing the old style locks with the new ones.
*budget for the wood framing needed to put up the soundproofing tiles
in the game room
*Not sure on the 3rd office. We have a few people who are thinking of
sharing it. Should know in a few weeks. If they do NOT rent it, and
we haven't heard any commitment from TS, we will only assume 66%
occupancy for the offices (2 out of 3) If we do get another renter,
whoohoo.

We are going to contact Meals and strongly suggest they buy a mat for
in front of the dish machine.

MISC -
Going to ask Dale and/or TECH folks if they can program a fix for the
cold water heat loop thingy that we use in the winter to prevent the
cold water pipes from freezing. Right now, it gets plugged in, and
stays on till spring. But we only NEED it on when it is freezing
out. Is it possible to attach some kind of sensor so that it only
kicks in if the outside temp is 33 degrees or lower. Or better yet,
the attic temp.

If you had some other improvement you wanted to see that I forgot,
please email Becky.

NEXT MTGS
Sun Aug 30 at 3pm
Sun Sept 13 at 3pm