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Searles School & Chapel trustees approve minutes, authorize $200 for easels and set plan for canceled wedding deposit
Summary
At their May 19 meeting, the Searles School & Chapel Board approved April minutes, authorized up to $200 to buy two easels for tenant use and directed coordinator staff to attempt rebooking a canceled Oct. 3 wedding before deciding on returning a $875 deposit; the board also reviewed facility maintenance updates and a planned June rail‑trail event.
The Searles School & Chapel Board of Trustees approved the April 21, 2026 meeting minutes and passed three routine motions during its May 19 meeting at Searles School and Chapel in Windham.
Cheryl Haas, Searles coordinator, reported the Searles Revenue Fund balance is $64,057.12 and the Searles Revolving Fund balance is $7,487.50. "The Searles Revenue Fund will be used for all expenses until funds run out," Haas said. Trustees moved to buy two easels to be kept at Searles for tenant use, authorizing up to $200 for the purchase; the motion, made by Trustee Ed Daigle and seconded by Trustee Anne‑Marie O’Neil, passed unanimously 8‑0.
Trustees also addressed a canceled wedding booking for Oct. 3. The renter had paid a 50% deposit of $875 and signed a contract noting no refund for that deposit. After discussion, Trustee Neil Fallon moved and Anne‑Marie O’Neil seconded a motion instructing Haas to try to rebook the date and for the trustees to revisit returning the full or partial deposit if the date is rebooked; the motion passed 8‑0.
The board received several project updates. Secretary Michael Mazalewski said Tip Top Roofing estimates a June 15 start for the roof repair. Mazalewski also reported he has contacted Dennis about replacing two condensers for the School Room and relocating two air handlers to reduce noise; Dennis intends to draft a request for proposals. Chair Peter Griffin said he is still seeking contractors to assess and repair the chapel organ. Bartlet Tree is scheduled to begin previously approved arbor services in mid‑June.
On building maintenance, Griffin proposed re‑staining the bare interior of the front doors; Mazalewski offered to perform the work. Coordinator Haas reviewed a January 28 Board of Selectmen discussion that approved two speed tables pending pricing and location decisions and said she will follow up with town highway staff; she also suggested relocating existing "not a cut through" signs to improve visibility from Route 111.
Haas announced a community rail‑trail walk for the USA 250th celebration on Sunday, June 28, from 10:30 a.m. to noon; participants will walk from the rail trail to Enterprise Drive, and Searles will host a table offering water and patriotic beads. In other business, Trustee Lisa Thornton said she is pursuing National Register nominations for Searles School and Chapel, trustees reported use of remaining Garden Club Baker Grant funds for new plantings, and members discussed options for window shades or films to better match historic windows.
The board set its next meeting for June 16, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at Searles School and Chapel. The meeting adjourned at 6:57 p.m. on a motion by Ed Daigle, seconded by Neil Fallon; all were in favor.
