Third Haven Friends Meeting Trustees
2014 Annual Report
The Trustees of Third Haven Monthly Meeting of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting was incorporated in 1948 when the meeting was at a low point. There was fear that the meeting would be put down and that ownership of the buildings and property would revert to Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. Friends felt it would be better to retain it in the hands of local Friends whose families had worshipped, been married, and buried here for over 250 years. There are seven Trustees, all Meeting members. When there is a vacancy, the Meeting's nominating committee is asked to bring forward two or three names. From this list a replacement is chosen. The current Trustees are Kenneth Carroll, Allan Mielke, Diana Rein, Laurence Claggett, Jr., Sumner Parker, Adrienne Rudge, and Martha Hawkinson.
At the time of the restoration of the 1684 building (1990-92) the Meeting received a financial grant from the Maryland Historic Trust which made that project possible. Eligibility for that grant necessitated easement to the Historic Trust of the exterior of the Old Meeting House and specific portions of adjoining property where changes or improvements are subject to their approval. This includes such things as paint, a roof, repairs to siding or shutters, and handicapped access. They have approved the proposed railings at the front entrance of the building.
In September we met with a representative from The Town of Easton who requested easement through a strip of our property next to the old railway right of way—along the road to the pump station off Washington Street. It includes a parcel of between 500 and 1000 square feet. We granted this with the written proviso that on the rare occasion when the Meeting needs to use that approach for car access to the street, we can have it. This would be a time such as a funeral, or some celebration when we experience an unusually large number of vehicles on the property.
The financial relationship between the Meeting and the Trustees has been as follows: the Trustees expect to pay for major capital expenses, for example a new roof, a new heating system, removal of hazardous trees. The Meeting covers operational expenses such as heating bills and salaries.
In 2013 the Trustees have covered the cost of the maple tree removal, the new mower, and the oil to gas heating conversion for a total of $11,317. We contributed $1000 to the Scholarship fund, which will be reduced to $500. for the coming year. Trustees participation in Scholarship, initially intended to help the fund get started, is no longer our responsibility.
The Trustees continue to approve the concept of handicapped access to the 1684 building, but feel that it should be a Meeting project, supported by the Meeting.