The Saratoga Springs Planning Board has approved the site development plan for our new meeting house. 

Clearing of the land will start shortly and should be completed by mid-December. 

The dozen trees we want to be sure to save have been marked with bright green ribbon.

“We’re rolling,” said New Home Task Force Chair Art Holmberg. “Our goal is to be in our meeting house by early 2026. There’s a chance we could move in by the end of next year, but it’s too early to say.”

The Planning Board’s decision Thursday night means that we can step up our preparations. 

• Barbara Floeser and her team have completed their inventory of everything that must be moved to our new building. 
• We’re in a discussion with the buyer about our closing date, which will determine our moving date. 
• We’ve hired a skilled contractor, Joe Pita, to clear the site. 
• The Butterfly Team is planning special services and events (including the potluck on November 24) to ease and honor the transition. 
• We’ve unearthed the time capsule that had been buried by the front steps in 2003, so we can be sure we won’t be leaving that behind.  The Butterfly Team will create a display from the time capsule that will be up for the Sunday morning service and potluck lunch on Sunday, November 24. 

As the work at 400 Louden gets underway, our capital campaign is going strong and even exceeding expectations. Fifty-six households so far have committed to funding our future, and our Visiting Stewards continue to reach out to every member of our congregation, sharing updates and building excitement. Our goal had been $800,000 but now we’re approaching $900,000!  

Rev. Joe was at choir practice last night when he heard the news about the Planning Board’s action. 

“I whooped with joy,” he says. “I am deeply grateful for the unstinting dedication of so many people who have poured their heart into this project. Your dedication is making our vision a reality.”

Murray Penney, Art Holmberg, and Myron Muth yesterday marked the trees on the property we want to be sure to save, in preparation for site clearing to begin!

We’ll celebrate all of the progress made thus far on the project at the potluck following our service on November 24, 2024. 

Bring a glass for a celebratory toast at the potluck after the service on November 24th to be led by Rev. Joe and members of the New Home Task Force, which includes Art Holmberg, chair; Julie Holmberg, Murray Penney, Arliss Nygard, Myron Muth, Sue Fisher, Lucy Manning, and I as AI-assisted scribe.

Among those to be saluted are Jeff Anthony and his talented team at Studio A. 

“Jeff’s deep experience with the Planning Board was invaluable in navigating the approval process, helping us secure the Board’s enthusiastic endorsement,” Art says.

Lucy Manning was president of the congregation when the Board established the New Home Task Force in May, 2022. 

“So many have helped,” she says, noting the contributions made by the work of previous task forces, the Board and the Finance Committee, and all members of the congregation who have provided input at Coffee Chats and generously committed to our capital campaign.”

“How promising and uplifting this feels, especially in this turbulent time politically,” she adds. “There is a love holding us all!!”

published November 15, 2024