Knights of Columbus
Prince of Peace Council #5903

P.O. Box 71 Englishtown, New Jersey 07726-0071

June 30, 2010
New Building Project Update
I am very pleased to announce that on Saturday June 19th, the JFCCC signed a contract with 3D Construction Company to construct our new Council Home. This event has been 9 years in the making and is the result of many dedicated Brother Knights who have worked diligently to bring us to this phase of the Project. The anticipated time of completion is approximately 9 months from the start of construction. The Contractor is applying for permits and will begin construction as soon as possible.

The finance committee is currently working with Amboy Bank in securing a loan to complete the funding for our Project. Lance Andrew PGK is working with various insurance brokers to obtain the necessary coverage designed to protect the Knights of Columbus during the construction of our building as well as satisfying future insurance requirements. The Building Committee will be restructured to over-see the Building Project.

By the grace of God, we will soon have opportunity to practice the virtues of CHARITY, FRATERNITY, UNITY AND PATRIOTISM in our new Council Home with our Brother Knights and their families, now and for many, many years to come.

Thank you,
Jerry Cole PGK

May 17, 2010      printer friendly version

New Building Project Update
The New Building Project is moving forward. The most recent updates are as follows:

• A meeting took place at the New Building site with representatives from Monmouth County Construction Dept, Earl Asphalt (the bridge contractors), our site Engineer, and members of the Building Committee. The purpose of the meeting was to review the property and establish a to do list per the JFCCC’S agreement with the County and Earl, moving toward acquiring the section of vacated La Sata Ave to be used as part of our parking lot. If you visit the site, you will see significant improvement in its appearance. We are anticipating an early June acquisition of the parcel.

• Negotiations have been completed with 3 D Construction resulting in a bid that came in under budget without jeopardizing the appearance or the integrity of our New Building, thanks to the efforts of Brothers Guy Resasco, Tony Godino and Bill Pierotti who have been working with the contractor to identify areas where we could save construction costs.

• The best, last and final bid of $599,281.40 to construct our New Council Home was approved by the JFCCC Board of Directors on May 4th 2010. The bid come in under our construction budget of $600,000.00

• A contract has been submitted by 3 D Construction and is currently under review by the Bid Committee and Risk Management. Once any changes and recommendations are made by the Committee and accepted by the Contractor, the bid will go under Attorney review.

• The Finance Committee has met with the lender of choice (Amboy) submitted documents and information necessary to begin to process a loan in the amount of $200,000.

• Upon entering into a Contract with 3D Construction and verification of our loan, the archest will re-design the second floor to reflect the contractors bid and the decision of the JFCCC Board to finish the second floor when funds are available. Englishtown Code Department requires these revisions be completed to the original plans submitted to and approved by the Planning Board.

• Bill Pierotti and his fundraiser committee have begun to explore options we can utilize to generate the necessary funds to accommodate day 1-non construction costs i.e. furnishing the hall, fitting out the kitchen, landscaping, fire and security systems etc.etc.

• The New Building Committee will be revised to reflect the current status of the Project and its future needs.

• The New Building Project Power Point presentation is currently being up-dated and will be presented to the General Membership and their families as soon as all contracts are approved and signed. You can check our web site for the original presentation dated June 2009.

April 5, 2010      printer friendly version

New Building Project Update
The New Building Project is moving forward. The most recent updates are as follows:

• The Members approved the development of a $600,000 budget to include a $200,000 mortgage
   to support the Building project.
• The County has been notified and we are requesting a meeting in mid April to review conditions
   on the site and determine what the counties responsibilities are prior to completion of bridge project
   and the JFCCC taking control of the vacated portion of LaSatta Avenue.
• A contractor has been issued a final set of drawings by the architect for the purpose of pricing
   out the new building.
• The business plan presented in June of 2009 is currently being updated and prepared for
   presentation to the general Membership.

Jerry Cole PGK
President JFCCC

February 24, 2010      printer friendly version

New Building Project Update
• Alternative Construction Methods: Based on research conducted by Bid Committee members, the conclusion was reached that the specifications and plans for the New Building were completed and designed for a wood frame or stick building and would have to be completely redesigned to accommodate alternative building methods such as Modular or Steel Frame construction at a significant cost. Therefore, alternative construction methods will not be considered viable.

• Contractor/Bid Selection: After carefully reviewing the bids received from contractors interested in being the General Contractor for the Building Project, the Bid Committee has chosen to perform an in-depth financial analysis of the bid submitted by a contractor who has met all of the criterion established by the committee. It should be noted that the contractor has not been given formal approval as General Contractor. A meeting was held last Saturday morning with the contractor and three members of the Bid Committee for the purpose of reviewing the plans and specifications to determine where we can reduce construction costs while maintaining quality and appearance for Scenario #1, which is finishing the entire building to include the second floor. The contractor and the bid committee members were able to reduce costs significantly, however not enough to comply with our budget. Keep in mind that the plans we refer to are approximately 80% complete

• Options: Prior to the meeting, the contractor was instructed to work up numbers that would represent the savings if we went with Scenario #2, which is partially completing the second floor. The result of the analysis is that we can complete the Project, while partially fitting out the second floor and be under budget. Prior to any recommendations to the New Building Committee or this Board, members of the Bid Committee will hold a meeting with the Englishtown Engineering department to discuss what the impact of Scenario #2 will be on the Project from their prospective.

• Conclusions: That the Board has recommended the Bid Committee and contractor continue to pursue opportunities to reduce construction costs for Scenarios 1 and 2 based on the final plans provided by the architect, and to meet with the Englishtown Engineering dept.

• Fund Raisers: Bill Pierotti will lead the Fund Raising Committee in implementing strategies to support the Project

Jerry Cole PGK
President JFCCC

January 27, 2010

Notice of Special Meeting of the Columbian Club
There will be a special meeting of the John F. Carroll Columbian Club on Monday March 1st and on Monday March 15th. The purpose of the special meetings is to read a resolution for the first time on March 1st and for the second time on March 15th concerning the budget for funding the construction of our New Council Home. After the second reading on the 15th the John F. Carroll Columbian Club will ask the members in attendance for a vote on the resolution. The special meetings will take place immediately following the Council meetings at Our Lady of Mercy hall.

January 18, 2010     printer friendly version

My Brother Knights,

The Bid Committee met with four prospective contractors on 12/29/09 as planned. The result of that meeting is the selection two finalists for consideration.

The original bids were based on specifications, which call for the second floor to be completely finished. Those contractors, who are considered finalist, were requested to provide an “opinion of probable cost” for two other options to be considered by the Committee. The first option being partially completing the second floor as a shell to be finished by the membership. The second option is to eliminate the second floor. The contractors have provided those opinions to the Bid Committee for consideration.

The Bid Committee is currently evaluating the anticipated cost considered essential to opening the building in compliance with all code and safety requirements. These costs are considered part of the construction budget. The committee is also performing an exercise estimating the costs of non-construction expenditures. Examples of non – construction expenditures are landscaping, tables, chairs, plates, utensils, glassware, kitchen equipment, a sign, window trimmings, supplies, equipment, material to build and furnish bar area, required insurance coverage etc. The non-construction expenses are essential to opening the building prepared to accommodate rentals, which will be the primary source of income intended to generate funds to meet our financial responsibilities.

As a result of the Bid Committees discovery, the Fund Raising Committee will immediately begin to implement strategies to offset non-construction expenses through various fund raisers, contributions and grants.

Once all of the numbers are in, the Bid Committee will meet with the two contractors of choice for final negotiations. Once the final negotiations are complete, the Bid Committee will make its recommendations to the New Building Committee and the Board of Directors regarding the project.

The roll up of all anticipated Project expenses, construction, non-construction and those unanticipated in nature, will be compared to our financial capabilities. The results of this exercise will be the basis for the Bid Committees recommendations.

Please note that significant inquiry has been made into companies who provide metal and pre-fabricated buildings. The response from these companies has been disappointing and bids that are far in excess of our finantial capabilities.

Jerry Cole PGK
President JFCCC

December 17, 2009

My Brother Knights,
As I stated in my last update, the Bid Committee has received seven bids from contractors that are interested in constructing our New Council Home. After carefull scrutiny, the Bid Committee has reduced the bidders down to four contractors. Those four contractors have been requested to attend a meeting with the Bid Committee members on Tuesday, December 29th. 2009. Each contractor will have approximately two hours to make their presentation to the Committee members. Items on the agenda are insurance and risk management issues, project timing, material grades, cost saving opportunities, and document verification to name a few.

The Bid Committee hopes to recommend a qualified contractor to the JFCCC Board of Directors and ultimately to the general Membership for approval in the near future.

Jerry Cole PGK
President JFCCC

November 15, 2009

We are pleased to announce that the Bid Committee has received 7 sealed pricing packages from contractors interested in constructing our new Council Home. The proposals we have received from the contractors are based on preliminary building specifications that were sent to them.

The packages were opened by the Bid Committee Members and logged in. The next step in the process is to thoroughly review each package for compliance and accuracy.

Jerry Cole, PGK
President JFCCC

November 3, 2009

On October 23rd, there were eleven packages sent to prospective contractors who were selected to bid on the construction of our new Council home. These packages contained site, building and mechanical specifications, insurance requirements, bidding instructions, background information requests and references for the bidders company and recommended methods of presenting the bids to the JFCCC. The proposals and the other qualifying material are due on November 11. The proposals will remain sealed until the Building Committee open and review them. The bids will be compared to our financial plan and adjustments will be made accordingly, if necessary. The building committee will meet with the contractors of choice whose bid falls within our capabilities and who has complied with our requirements. More information to follow concerning the process of selecting a contractor for our New Building. Special thanks to Brothers Guy Resasco and Tony Godino PGK and their teams in producing the bidding packages.

Brother Randy Scott PGK is now responsible for data and document warehousing for the Building Project in addition to his responsibilities on the Building Committee

It is with great pleasure that I announce the election of Brother Knight Bruce Vargo to the JFCCC Board of Directors as a full member effective immediately. Bruce has filled a vacancy created by the resignation of a Board Member in September.

Jerry Cole PGK
President
JFCCC

October 7, 2009

The members of the Building Committee who are responsible for developing the building, mechanical and sight plan designs for our New Building have received the appropriate specifications from our architect and project engineer.

The process of developing a package and contractor selection for the bidding process is nearing completion. The package will contain the specifications, insurance requirements, instructions on how we want the bids to come back, biographical information and references for the contractors company and a contract between the contractor and the JFCCC. We expect a reasonable turnaround time ( 3 weeks) for the bids to come back from the contractors so we can adequately evaluate them and make any recommendations and/or changes to the plan.

Once the final bid is accepted, a presentation to the Membership will be scheduled. The presentation will include the total cost of the Project and how we intend to pay for it and what the plan is to manage the building going forward. After we conclude the presentation, we will ask the Membership for a yes or no vote as to whether or not we can proceed with the Project.

September 9, 2009

The Council Home is now completely demolished, the site of our future Council Home has been excavated with back-fill material in preposition for the installation of the foundation for the New Building. We are hoping that we can lay the foundation for the New Building before cold weather sets in.

We are now awaiting the building and mechanical specifications currently being prepared by our architect. Once received, the Building Committee will select contractors who meet our requirements and who will provide the cost of constructing a new building using the specifications provided by the architect. Once we have the sealed bids from the contractors in, the process of reviewing them, determining the final building design and the contractor of choice will commence. More information to come as we proceed.

August 27, 2009

THEN – On Saturday, September 12, 1970 Prince of Peace Council dedicated its new council home. A highlight of the dedication ceremony was the cutting of the traditional ribbon by Mrs. Mary Carroll. Mary was the widow of charter member John F. Carroll who passed away in 1969. John was the first and, at the time, the only deceased member of the council. The new council home was dedicated in his memory. In addition to State Council dignitaries and local officials from Englishtown and Manalapan, the event was attended by State Assembly and Congressional leaders. The dedication ceremony began with a Parade led by the 4th Degree Honor Guard from Msgr. Kivelitz Assembly.

NOW – On Monday, August 24, 2009 the building was demolished. Here are some photographs. The physical building may be gone but the memories from this chapter in our history live on. Now is the time to unite in the effort to rebuild our council home. Now is the time to show our charter members that we have the resolve to continue what they started back in 1970. Please step forward and share your time and talent. Membership participation is vital to the success of this project.

August 23, 2009

Sunday, August 23, 2009 - "Last Call"

July 2009 Demolition has begun

Presenting the future – GET IN ON IT!
On Monday, June 15, 2009 at its Annual Meeting, The Columbian Club made a formal presentation concerning the demolition and re-construction of our council home. By way of a unanimous vote, the membership has approved the demolition of our existing building. If you couldn't make the meeting we have provided a link to the New Building Presentation for your review. We need all hands on deck to make this project a success and carve a bright new path for the future of our Council.

Many people put a great deal of effort into the preparation of this report to the membership. Please extend them the courtesy of your time to review it carefully. While you are doing this, think of ways you may be able to contribute to this effort. We are open to all of your questions and constructive thoughts in this matter. Your participation in this project is vital to our success.

Any person listed on the project team can answer your questions. If you are not sure who to ask, please send me an email at info@kofc5903.org. I will get the answer to your question and respond promptly.

Fraternally Yours,
Matthew Nicosia, PGK
Project Public Relations and Communications