June 9, 2002
ince last Quarterly Meeting in
March the Trustees have been extremely busy dealing with a situation
brought on by the action of the Selective Insurance Company, which covers our
proper ties at Hancock’s Bridge. On March 7, 2002, the Trustees received a
letter from Selective Insurance to the effect that an inspection had been made
of the Alloway’s Creek Meetinghouse and grounds and that it would be
necessary for us to make certain repairs in order to maintain their coverage.
Those repairs were in summary: 1) repair all window frames and sashes, 2)
replace the front steps, 3) removal of all ivy from the building, 4) removal of
a broken bench in the rear of the building, 5) painting of all shutters, 6)
replacing the posts in the front overhangs, 7) replacing a broken windowpane in
the rear of the building, 8) pruning of overhanging limbs of nearby trees. For
the most part this list represented work that we had intended to do anyway,
although the ivy had been pulled from the building and the windowpane already
replaced. We agreed to fix, but refused to remove, any benches from this
historic building. Through telephone consultation among the Trustees, we
decided to comply with the stipulations of the insurance company. However, they
gave us one month to complete the work. Artisans skilled in working on historic
buildings are not easy to find. To complete this work within one month was
almost impossible. But we made a good faith effort. We called the company, and,
through the efforts of Glen Johnson of James B. Kirby of Mullica Hill, and a
member of Mullica Hill Meeting, we pleaded our case. Meanwhile, the Trustees
met and approved the following work: Carpenter Tree Service, $500, Interior
Carpentry Work—Earl Urion, $2,000, Exterior Painting—Janvier Osborn,
$5,950, and shutter repair, $200. The sum of this work amounts to $8,700. The
artisans are all skilled in working on historic buildings, and we were lucky to
get them so soon. In addition, some of the trustees and other volunteers have
agreed to work on the building.
One would think that this would represent a fortunate
conclusion to the matter. All repairs stipulated are being made, and at a
swiftness that we have no right to expect. This was reported to Selective
Insurance Company. It has now become obvious that the company simply does not
want to insure an old, historic building, even though there are far fewer
people who frequent it than many of the other buildings they insure. Yesterday,
June 8, 2002, I informally received word from Glen Johnson that the company had
terminated our insurance, and that we would be receiv ing a confirmation letter
to that effect. Thus, the big task that lay before the Trustees now is
obtaining insurance coverage. The real issue is liability coverage, since we
simply cannot be without this. Meanwhile, work goes on. We are in the process
of scheduling a general cleanup of the interior of the building. The box bush
at the near right hand corner, which detracts from the building, will be
removed. Work is still planned for the restoration of the Old Cemetery. Routine
maintenance continues. But all of this must be done under the umbrella of
liability coverage. We ask Friends of the Quarter to hold us in the Light.
In peace and friendship,
George A. Crispin, Clerk
FALL 2002