PARISH COUNCIL OF ST. PATRICK IN ARMONK
MINUTES OF MEETING ON JUNE 28th, 2001
Present at the June 28th, 2001 meeting were Alexander Bacon, Bob Ballengee, Arcangelo Bollella, John Bona, Teri Burke, Roland Capuano, Valerie J. Cavallaro, Michael Clohosey, Arthur Colon, Renata Colon, Carole Consigliers, Shelia Coughlan, Anne Curran, Thomas D'Agostino, Joseph F. DeBernardis, Mary Jo DeBernardis, Diane Dioguardi, John Erickson, Stephen Fischer, Adrienne Flanagan, Marie Galasso, Anna Sachko Gandolfi, Kathy Giaceio, Vincent Giordano, Frank Golden, Jo Golden, Sister Mary Rose Golden, Mary Lou Greco, Vincent Greco, Mary Harnett, Judi Hefferon, Maureen Lindgren, Tom Lindgren, Lori Lofaro, Louise Mantini, Giogio Maselli, Guy Mezzancelli, Joan Mezzancelli, Dorothy E. Mitchell, Joann Morgis, Jim Murphy, Donna Myers, Joan DiMartino Nardi, Richard Nardi, Nancy O'Hanlon, Ann O'Sullivan, Maria Perretta, Michael Perretta, Elvira Pinto, Edward Pires, Tina Puttre, Connie Quarrie, Gene Quarrie, Father John Quinn, Susan Reda, Mary Ryan, Sam Scavone, Bill Shaheen, Ann Silvestri, Corinne Strianese, Ed Strianese, Catalina Suarez, Pablo Suarez, Pablo Suarez, Sr., John Tartaglia, Mary Vierengel, Steve Vierengel, Grace Violon, Joe Violon, Barrie Watson, Lynn Watson, and Bill Weaver.Father Quinn welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked that all gather together in prayer. Steve Fischer led the Parish Council in Vespers.
Ann Silvestri informed the Parish Council that the focus of the meeting would be the Parish Center that has been proposed for St. Patrick's. The format of the meeting was an open discussion lasting for 1 hour and ten minutes, followed by a vote on the proposal to proceed with the Parish Center subject to three conditions. These conditions were that the project would incur no debt for the parish, that no one who contributed to the last building drive would be asked for a donation, and that Father Quinn would not ask for donations.
The open discussion centered on the advantages and disadvantages to St. Patrick's of a Parish Center. To many, the principal advantage of a Parish Center would be that it would provide a place where the whole parish could come together. The sentiment was expressed that the parish has grown tremendously, largely due to the good work of Father Quinn. The 10,000 square foot Parish Center envisioned by the Parish Council would provide much needed space for large group activities such as the annual Fall Festival. Seniors could host their events there. The children in the religious education program would benefit from the additional classrooms included in the Parish Center. The Parish Center would serve the needs of St. Patrick's CYO basketball team, the Teen Life Group, and the First Communicants, who would now be able to enjoy now their Blessing Cup Meal together, without renting a tent. The disadvantages of the project centered on its approximate $2 million cost to the parish. Concern was expressed that the operating cost of such a facility would be a financial drain on the parish. Father Quinn and Ann O'Sullivan responded to a number or suggestions for less expensive alternatives for classrooms for religious education. Questions and concerns about the financial impact of the Parish Center on St. Patrick's were answered by Frank Golden and Tom Lindgren.
In response to a question as to what the Parish Center would look like, Alex Bacon distributed copies of a schematic plan for the Parish Center. The plan depicted an entry, a lobby, two meeting rooms which could be used for class instruction, a gym with a stage and bleachers, a kitchen, locker rooms for girls and boys, a storage area and a machine room. Another question posed was whether the Parish Center depicted in the schematic plan was the actual Parish Center that would be voted on later in the meeting. Ann Silvestri answered that this was a preliminary plan. If the Parish Center were to be approved by the Parish Council, the final architectural plans would reflect the instructional, social and athletic needs of the people of St. Patrick's.
Mary Ryan presented the results of a recent parish questionnaire on the Parish Center. Of the 36 people who responded, 28 were in favor of the Parish Center and 8 were opposed to it.
At the conclusion of the open discussion the Parish Council voted on the proposal to proceed with the Parish Center subject to the following conditions: that the project would incur no debt for the parish, that no one who contributed to the last building drive would be asked for a donation, and that Father Quinn would not ask for donations. A total of 66 people voted by secret ballot. Those who were in favor of the proposal wrote, “Yes,” on their ballots; those opposed, wrote, “No”; those abstaining from voting wrote, “Abstain.” The results follow:
| Yes | 60 |
| No | 4 |
| Abstain | 2 |
From the results of the vote it was clear that consensus had been reached. Accordingly, St. Patrick's will proceed with the Parish Center.
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on Thursday, July 26th at 7:30 P.M.