Parish Council Meeting
Minutes
October 11, 2004
The meeting
opened with a prayer service in the chapel at 8:00 p.m.
The
following members were in attendance:
Father Bob, David Apy, John Boyko, Kim Connolly, Ken Cook, John Hegarty, Bob Hickey, Alice
Latham, Nancy Lee, Bill Sirnack, Pam Schaible, Anna
Marie Todaro, John Ur, Mary Vaccarelli,
Bob Welch, and Peggy Whiteside.
Guest
Speaker: Jan Kirk
Topic: HOSPICE UPDATE
David Apy introduced Jan Kirk, who gave the Council an update regarding
the Hospice project. Dave informed the
Council that it would agree on a price for the sale of a parcel St. Anselm
property to Hospice, at the November or December meeting. Jan described the need for a residential facility where
terminally ill patients with a variety of illnesses could die comfortably, and
with dignity. Hospice-by-the-Sea is a
non-profit corporation that approached St. Anselm over one year ago regarding
the purchase and development of a parcel of St. Anselm property. An informal site plan was prepared, and a
real estate appraisal was obtained in September 2003. Father Bob sought and received diocese
approval of the sale. Jan has spoken to
neighboring property owners as identified by the Borough of Tinton Falls. No negative impressions were received except
for a remark that a homeless shelter was needed, and some concern about the
removal of trees.
Patient
selection for the proposed facility would include terminally ill individuals
with a projected life span of six months or less who have no caregivers
available. The facility would house a
maximum of 24 patients in private rooms, along with several couple’s
rooms. Kitchens and family rooms would
also be included. Operating funds will
be received through patient billing for room and board, fundraising, and
Medicare/Medicaid. Projected opening is
2 to 3 years. Concern about property
value is not an issue. Main entrance
will be on Hope Road, with St. Anselm parking lot serving as a pass-through for
one of two required fire emergency exits.
Dave Apy reminded the Council that an ad hoc committee would be
created to consider a sales price, then contact Jan and report to the Council
in November or December. He further
indicated that the prior Parish Council agreed, in principal, that sale of
property to Hospice-by-the-Sea for development limited to a hospice facility
fits within the parish mission. Issues
addressed over the past year were receipt of diocese approval, use limitations
as a hospice facility, and confirmation of a 10-year old decision that the property
in question would not be needed by St. Anselm for future development.
Dave tasked
the current Parish Council with responsibility for deciding upon an appropriate
sale price based upon limited use as a hospice facility. Although appraisals have been obtained on
behalf of Hospice and the Diocese, an appraisal on behalf of St. Anselm will be
required. Use limitations may account
for the current gap between Hospice and Diocese appraisals. Following a suggestion by Bob Hickey, it was
agreed that the Finance Advisory Committee (in lieu of the ad hoc committee)
would be responsible for developing the proposed sale price.
Parish
Council Leadership Workshop Dave
Apy
The
Workshop was attended by 14 council and committee members, and other
individuals. Expectations/goals for the
day included (1) explore changes in the makeup and format of Council meetings
to increase parish community involvement; (2) explore ways to better focus on
the parish mission and keep parish focused; and (3) develop a strategic plan. Findings will be presented to the new Parish
Council for implementation. The issues
will be revisited in one year. The next
workshop may include outgoing and incoming Council members.
Father Bob
stressed that the value of the Council is determined by its identity,
objectives, and accomplishments. More
time is required to devote to that issue, so the Leadership Workshop will be
repeated. Better communication with the
parish is necessary, and a clear vision is needed for the purpose of the
Council; that is, to foster the parish mission.
Bob Hickey
remarked that the Council has a responsibility to the Parish; more opportunity
should be taken to explain committee activities and celebrate
accomplishments. Bob Welch suggested
liturgy time be utilized to address Parish community; Dave Apy
suggested Council meetings be restructured.
In closing,
Father Bob asked Council members to express appreciation to Hills of Tuscany
in Oakhurst for its donation of catering services by patronizing
that business.
Finance
Update Bob
Hickey
Ÿ
Third
quarter ended September 30 with $443K in revenue and $421K in expenses. Parish is $22K ahead of budget, not
considering upcoming Christmas collection.
Bob reported no significant spending activity. COR spending was $41.4K through 10/8/04;
total COR budget is $49K.
Ÿ
Finance
Committee will contact all committee chairs to help develop the new budget. The
2005 budget will be ready by December meeting.
Finance will review '04 actuals and '05
proposals, and report to the parish as an introduction to Witness Sunday &
intent card discussions in January timeframe.
Ÿ
Bob
asked committees to advise him of any questions regarding budget status; line
item details of spending activity are available.
Ÿ
More
formal investment policy for cash resources is under development, including
interviews with investment advisors.
Guidelines will be presented to Council early 2005.
Ÿ
Dave
Apy asked committee chairs to consider any new
programs and associated costs for inclusion in budget preparation process.
COR
Update Bob Welch
Items discussed
at last meeting were lowering the allocation cap to 8% and deciding the cap
would remain at 10%. More clarity on
carryover issue is needed. Committee
will make every effort to spend full amount, but wants guarantee that any
excess will be available next year. Bob
Hickey answered that concern by stating that, in a continuing effort to clean
up the accounting process, COR should budget for any excess in the upcoming
year. Father Bob stated the COR mandate
does not call for a carryover. Dave Apy also stated there was no provision in the By-Laws for
carryover. However, there must be agreement
about the amount allocated for spending in the following year, taking into account
economic issues. It was noted that
identification process for candidates was very good.
Coming
Home Weekend Nancy
Lee
Distributed
latest brochure; encouraged sign-ups now.
Census
Update Father
Bob
Next step
is to delete obvious members, possibly another letter. Six to seven hundred non-responders still
remain.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Youth
Ministry Kim
Connolly
Ÿ
First
meeting had 55 in attendance; second meeting had 30.
Ÿ
Meetings
will take place every other month.
Ÿ
Planning
a workshop during Coming Home Weekend.
Ÿ
Volunteers
for Atlantic Belmont activities will be communicated to Tom Walsh.
Ÿ
November
7 scheduled for next regular meeting.
Education Pam
Schaible
Review of
surveys received last month indicates more adult education is desired by the
parish.
Communications Bill
Sirnack
Ÿ
Meetings
will be quarterly.
Ÿ
Distributed
Minutes of last meeting.
Ÿ
John
Ur indicated Illuminations will be published before Thanksgiving;
Coming Home Weekend will be featured on the cover; input from Nancy Lee; still
needs information from Administration of Properties Committee.
Spiritual
Life Alice
Latham
Ÿ
Alice
confirmed she will resign her position after Easter, 2005.
Ÿ
Mission
Statement was completed at last meeting on 9/2.
Ÿ
Jim
Moseman will conduct opening and closing prayer
services at Coming Home Weekend;
Ÿ
Next
meeting on 10/29 will include review of prayers for Coming Home Weekend.
Other Business
Ÿ
Council
will consider issue of new chairpersons at November meeting.
Ÿ
Administration
of Properties needs new Chairperson.
Ÿ
Consider
changing Council format as a factor in attracting volunteers for committee
chairs.
Meeting
adjourned at 9:55 p.m.
Respectfully
submitted,
Anna Marie Todaro