Pond Hill Community Hall is stewarded and owned by the members of the South Wellfleet Neighborhood Association and Social Union. July 3rd, 2014 - Solarized Energy Independence Days in South Wellfleet
Dear SWNASU members….friends and Family of the Pond Hill School Community Hall….. As we FLY on into Summer ….and July, 2014…..we have MUCH to celebrate. Our Restoration Project at our Pond Hill Scho
ol has been moving on many fronts…..and we have much to be thankful for.
— Thanks to local Donors and the TERN SOLAR Foundation….we will soon see 3.6kw Solar PV’s on our new Solarized Community Access Kitchen Roof….We signed the contracts during the final week of the Solarize Wellfleet Efforts….and hope to install 11 high power/High efficiency panels….and a series of Micro-inverters….to generate the electricity we will need for lighting ….heating…..cooling in our new Kitchen….we should be able to support refrigeration year round….to support our new facilities. Congratulations to the Greater Wellfleet Community and SOLARIZE WELLFLEET for this NEXT step in our South Wellfleet Future. I can hear the questions that might follow……’What ever happened to the Pot-luck Suppers?” ….Can we use the Hall for our family function?…..When will the doors open…Officially ?? Have YOU gotten a Certificate of Occupancy ??? All …great questions…..and as yet…the answer is “No …Not yet !”
We have been “somewhat busy”…over the past few years….of late, we have done the grading and initial surfacing of our REQUIRED Handicap Parking …We have installed our underground 250 Gallon Propane tank and the trenching to the building……and set the foundations for our required HANDICAP entrance — off the New Kitchen wing. We have brought the water/ propane and Electric supply back into the building……All to be housed in our newly re-constructed Kitchen….Bathroom Wing. Thanks to the Wellfleet Community Preservation Act and two votes of Wellfleet Town Meeting….Along with a very Generous $50,000 Historical Restoration Grant from The Massachusetts Historical Commission —and many of your own contributions to this Worthy Outer Cape Historic Restoration Project— Almost ALL of the Historic Restoration Work has been completed….to a very high and impressive standard. What stands in our way…..at the moment….is funding the SYSTEMS that will allow us to use the building as a contemporary Meeting space and Community Center.
— We DO need a rebuilt Front Step. This step was removed to Facilitate the building of a new foundation and replacement of all historic Sills….in 2012. We plan to rebuild the Concrete Steps that were first constructed halfway through the LAST century. If anyone has photos of an earlier STEP-Incarnation….please send them along!!! We could still re-adjust our planning for the front step if we can find Historic Documentation of an earlier configuration.
— We Could use an historic Schoolhouse Woodstove for those chilly New England Winters. The chimney has been relined and rebuilt for JUST that Purpose !!
— We have extracted two great pieces of Granite from that 20th century front step….and were given another Lighthouse slab by Buddy Paine that will become the side entrance/Exit where we have constructed a new door.
— The Rough Plumbing and the ROUGH Electric have been installed. Still to be accomplished — is the completion of the installation of our two handicap Bathroom facilities…Most of our needed Commercial Kitchen Equipment was acquired from Adrian’s Restaurant when they closed for business - two years ago. We will need Plumbing "funding" to install that equipment.
— The Installation of a Septic System that will accommodate those bathrooms ….and the grease traps…. and handle the capacity of a Community Access Commercial Kitchen is of PRIME CONCERN. Those funds are NOT currently available.
— Finishing our NEW electric service…..and Plumbing work….will all require additional funds.
- Eventually the Library upstairs….and the Historic Display room downstairs will need Do-ing. We are requesting ….that all Community Members that might have waited til we at SWNASU could show GOOD FAITH progress in Saving our Pond Hill School…..and NOW - in the Summer of 2014 - would like to make their Financial Contributions to the Hooking up and Installation of our Kitchen gear and funding our 2014 required Septic System….Please….. Let us know how you can facilitate our PROJECT….and Help us OPEN the DOORS to our Restored Pond Hill School Community Hall . If you have any questions about the Financial costs of ANY of these parts of our Project ….please inquire @ [email protected] or [email protected] or ….by snail mail….the old fashioned way….SWNASU…PO box 581….South Wellfleet , Mass. 02663
We intend to hold our Annual Meeting of members and friends…on the Traditional Date of the third Saturday in August - August 16th, 2014. We may have to try it outdoors until we have secured our C. of O……but you WILL have a chance to check on our progress….and take a tour of our newly restored Schoolhouse….originally constructed in 1857. Please let us CONTINUE with these efforts….by Joining in to fund YOUR Hall. Become a member….Renew your membership……and help us to OPEN the doors to the South Wellfleet Hall and our new Solarized Community Access Commercial Kitchen facilities. Thanks…..in anticipation of YOUR involvement….and contributions. Sincerely and with Pride in our efforts so far….. your neighbors……
Charles P. Cole— Local Project Coordinator of the Pond Hill School Community Hall Restoration project …. and ………The Board of Directors of the South wellfleet Neighborhood Association and Social Union
—— For photos of our ongoing Project ….and the Pond Hill School Building please visit our website : www.swnasu.org and hit the BLUE Facebook Button….to see/hear/ Share our LATEST efforts.
