Progress on the Westhampton Road site

reported frequently by George Hollywood

(4/18): Last weekend's groups were the WomenBuild on Saturday, supervised by Serena Torry, who subbed for Karen Carter, and Williston-Northampton School on Sunday, supervised by Dave O'Brien. On Building 3 the siding is finished and drywall is being hung on the second floor. In addition, Pat Falvey has begun to tape drywall on the first floor. Coming up this weekend will be Hampshire Habitat for Humanity on the 22nd and Deerfield Academy on the 23rd, both days supervised by Aaron Walker.

(4/12): Last groups working on site were UMass/MASSPIRG on April 8 and Tzedek Hillel on the 9th, both supervised by Mark Lange, plus the Wednesday workgroup on the 12th. In Building 3 all windows are now installed and the siding is very near completion. Drywall hanging on first floor is also close to being done in both units. Next up will be WomenBuild on April 15 with Karen Carter supervising, and Williston Northampton School on the 16th with Dave O'Brien.

(4/5): On Wednesday of last week drywall was delivered, bathrooms were vented, and the second floor strapping was almost completed. Last Saturday we were pleased to have UMass Habitat working at the site, supervised by Gary Snyder. Gary was subbing for Mark Annis, who was surveying for Habitat at our Turners Falls site. On Sunday, Stan Brown conducted crew leaders' training on hanging drywall. On Building 3 both porches now have ceilings and are mostly trimmed out. One of the large second floor windows, which had been left out for drywall delivery, has been installed. Insulation inspections were done by the City of Northampton and Energy Star. We have begun hanging drywall on the first floor ceilings. On Building 2 Electrical Department students are close to finishing the wiring. After inspections, that building will be insulated. Next groups will be UMass/MASSPIRG on April 8 and Tzedek Hillel on the 9th, both supervised by Mark Lange.

(3/28): Groups last working at Westhampton Road were:
March 18 - WomenBuild, with Sadie Stull supervising
March 19 - Westhampton Congregational Church, with Robert Hurley
March 20 and 21 - Smith College Alternative Spring Break, with Stan Brown on
the 20th and George Hollywood on the 21st
March 25 - Social Concerns Committee of Catholic Parishes of
Northampton/Florence, with Tom Goldscheider subbing for Tom Fletcher
March 26 - Polymer Science & Engineering, with Aaron Walker subbing for Tom
Fletcher
On Building 3 more siding has been installed (thank you Pat Falvey), vapor barrier is up on first and second floors, strapping is 90% complete on the second floor ceiling, one porch ceiling was built, and the site picked up and organized. Insulation inspections are scheduled for Wednesday, and we will be ready for drywall. On Building 2 Smith Voc students are continuing with electrical and plumbing work and siding. Next group is UMass Habitat on April 1, with Mark Annis supervising, and crew leader training on April 2.

(3/15): Groups working at Westhampton Road over the past two weeks:
March 4 - AGC UMass, with Dave O'Brien supervising
March 5 - Crew Leaders' Training, with Michael Broad
March 11 - Hampshire College, with Aaron Walker
March 12 - Leverett Congregational Youth Group, with Aaron Walker
Siding is about 75% complete on both buildings. Smith Voc students have finished wiring Building 3 and have begun on Building 2. Building 3 has passed wiring and frame inspections, heating ductwork is in place, and all exterior walls have been insulated. Next up will be the Wednesday workgroup today, WomenBuild on March 18 with Sadie Stull supervising, and Westhampton Congregational Church on the 19th with Robert Hurley.

(11/25): Last weekend Serena Torry supervised a well-attended WomenBuild on Saturday the 19th. On Sunday, First Churches Youth Group and several individual volunteers were supervised by MJ Adams, and on the 23rd the Wednesday Group put in a full day. In Building 3 all the Tyvek is up, all doors installed, and all windows have been installed with the exception of two which will be used to bring in sheetrock. Both front porches have been decked, and now need to be roofed. Windows and doors for Building 2 are expected to be delivered next week. Exterior trim for both buildings is on site, and Smith School Electrical Department has begun wiring both buildings. Working this Saturday will be UMass Organic Chemistry, with Mark Lange supervising and Todd Rolland as crew leader. On Sunday Mark will supervise individual volunteers with Rob Ralston as crew leader.

(11/15): Groups recently working at the Westhampton Road site were:
Oct 29 - Mt. Holyoke College, supervised by Mark Annis
Oct 30 - Williston-Northampton and individual volunteers, also with Mark Annis.
Nov 5 - UMass Newman Center, with Dave O'Brien
Nov 6 - Site Supervisors' training
Nov 12 - Social Concerns Committee - Greater Parishes of Northampton and Florence, with Michael Broad
Nov 13 - Williston-Northampton School, with Robert Hurley In Building 3 the roof is finished, some windows and a slider have been installed, more interior framing done, and one front porch has been framed and temporary decking applied. Next up will be the WomenBuild on the 19th with Serena Torrey supervising, and First Churches Youth Group on the 20th, supervised by MJ Adams.

(10/26): In spite of the weather we had a very productive week at Westhampton Road thanks to many young people who donated their time. We started on Friday the 21st with students from Holyoke Community College, supervised by Mark Lange. Following on Saturday were students from Smith College, supervised by John Hondregan and Todd Rolland, and on Sunday the South Church Youth Group, supervised by Bill Noel. Finally, today we had a different group of HCC students, supervised on short notice by Bill Noel (thank you, Bill). The major task was roofing, which is about 90% completed. We also saw work done on interior framing, which is almost finished. Concrete and anchor bolts are set in more than half the porch piers. Electrical students from Smith Voc have begun to wire both Buildings 2 and 3, and on Building 2 the roof sheathing is almost complete. Next up will be Mt. Holyoke students on the 29th, supervised by Mark Annis, and individual volunteers on the 30th, also supervised by Mark.

(10/19): The last groups working at Westhampton Road were the WomenBuild on the 15th, with assistance from Amherst College students, all supervised by Karen Carter, Beit Ahavah on the 16th, supervised by Dave O'Brien (in for Mark Lange), and the Wendesday "saints" on the 19th. Work continued on roofing, inside framing, and porch piers. Next up will be Holyoke Community College on the 21st, with Mark Lange supervising. Saturday's group will be Smith College, supervised by John Hondregan and Todd Rolland, and on Sunday, South Church Youth Group, with Bill Noel.

(10/13): On Building 2 the trusses are in place and roof sheathing has started. On Building 3 the roof is now almost completely sheathed and is partially shingled. Most of the fascia has been installed. Forms have been set in place for about half of the porch piers and a basement trench dug for a radon collection pipe. One-piece tub/showers have been delivered. Next up will be WomenBuild on the 15th with Karen Carter supervising, Beit Ahavah on the 16th with Dave O'Brien, the Wednesday Saints on the 19th, and Holyoke Community College on the 21st with Mark Lange.

(9/26): Building 2: Larry Sawula and the Smith Voc Students have returned and are continuing with interior framing.
Building 3: Exterior framing and sheathing is complete and roof trusses are installed. Utility conduit is in, inspected, and the trench backfilled. Siding and trim boards are being pre-painted.

Next up will be Smith College on the 24th and UMass Newman Center Grad Group on the 25th, both days supervised by Aaron Walker. Care-a-Vanners return on Monday for a second week.

(8/18): Groups working at the Westhampton Road site over the past three weeks have included: Frost Valley YMCA Youth Group on July 28, 30, and 31, August 2, 3, and 4. Supervisors were Steve Ferrari, Mark Annis, and Karen Charbonneau. Individual volunteers on the 6th, with George Hollywood supervising. Supervisors' training on the 7th. UMass Student Habitat Proto-group on the 13th, with Aaron Walker supervising. Aaron also supervised individual volunteers on the 14th. Although they often go unmentioned, we recognize and appreciate the work done by the group of individual volunteers who show up regularly on Wednesdays. Coming up on the 18th will be the group from Edwards Church, supervised by Mark Lange. Following that will be the WomenBuild on the 20th with Sadie Stull and Congregation b'nai Israel on the 21st with Robert Hurley. Most of the work has been, and will continue to be, second floor framing and sheathing of Buildings 2 and 3 in preparation for installation of roof trusses.

(7/28): Groups working at Westhampton Road recently were: WomenBuild on July 16 with Serena Torry supervising, St. Mary's Youth Service Corps on the 17th with Dave O'Brien, UMass Organic Chemistry on the 23rd and Westhampton Congregational Church on the 24th, both days supervised by Mark Lange, Frost Valley YMCA youth group on the 26th with MJ Adams and George Hollywood, and the 27th with Steve Ferrari, George Hollywood, and Bill Rice.

The Building 1 punch list is slowly getting shorter. All porch railings have been stained, the bulkhead painted, and bathroom mirrors installed. Only a couple of items left.

Additional sheathing was installed on the second floor of Building 2, with one wall remaining.

Building 3 work included first floor framing and second floor stairs, floor joists, and a partial second floor deck. The basement floor was leveled and lally columns installed.

Finally, the impenetrable storage unit was cleaned out, organized, and material not deemed useful was disposed of. The Frost Valley youth group, having survived two brutally hot work days, will continue working at the site until August 4th. Steve Ferrari will supervise on the 28th, the 29th is a day off, and Mark Annis will take charge on the 30th and 31st.

(7/13): The groups last working on Westhampton Road were:
July 9 - UMass Organic Chemistry & PSE
July 10 - Academic Study Associates youth group, both days supervised by Robert Hurley
July 11 through 13 - youth group from Congregational Church, Goshen, CT.
Supervisors were Stan Brown on the 11th, Michael Broad and Bill Noel (subbing for Mark Lange) on the 12th, and the Wednesday regulars on the 13th.

(6/30):Building 1: Other than a few touch-up items Building 1 is finished, properly inspected, and both families are expected to move in over the holiday weekend. The last groups working on this house were individual volunteers working on the 25th, St. Mary's Youth Service Corps on the 26th, both supervised by Mark Lange, and the Wednesday group on the 29th. The few remaining tasks will be accomplished over the next couple of weeks.

(6/21): Building 1: In addition to the usual Wednesday workgroup, other groups giving time to Westhampton Road were the WomenBuild on the 18th with Karen Carter supervising, and today's group from Learning in Retirement, with Bill Noel supervising. With the scheduled June 30 occupancy rapidly approaching, the focus has been on final finishing and city inspections. Carpeting has been installed in both units, the Unit A pass-through counter finished, all appliances installed, interior stairs and railings finished, and exterior steps and railings 75% finished. Other odds and ends such as cabinet knobs, hot air registers, locksets, door bumpers, touch up painting, etc. are finished or close to it. Wiring inspection is scheduled for tomorrow, after which we can insulate the basement ceiling. Next up will be the Wednesday workgroup tomorrow, open house from 4:00 to 6:00 on the 23rd, individual volunteers on the 25th, and St. Mary's Youth Service Corps on the 26th, with Mark Lange supervising Saturday and Sunday.

Building 2: Smith Voc has recessed for the summer. All but two exterior second-floor walls have been erected. These walls and the roof will be completed by Habitat volunteers before the students return in the fall.

(6/12): In addition to the Wednesday workgroup, the following groups have contributed workers over the past weekends: June 4 - Jakobs Well Christian Community, with Robert Hurley supervising June 5 - Site Supervisors' training, with Dave O'Brien June 11 - First Congregational Church of Hadley, with Dave O'Brien June 12 - Pioneer Valley Parents' Group, with Dave O'Brien Thanks go to Dave for giving up three weekend days in a row! In Building 1 the push is on for occupancy at the end of this month. Porch and deck steps/railings are 75% complete. First coat of poly has been applied to interior stairs. Final plumbing inspection has been done. Jim Booker will make a final check of his wiring and arrange for the inspection this week. Both ranges have been installed, but the Unit B range was delivered missing a part, which we have ordered. Carpets are scheduled for installation next week. Smith Voc is working on the second floor framing in Building 2, and most of the mud sill is installed in Building 3. Next up will be WomenBuild on the 18th with Karen Carter and Linda Valenti, and individual volunteers on the 19th with Steve Ferrari.

(6/1):Groups last week were the Wednesday Workgroup, the Masons A.F.&A.M. on Saturday, with Aaron Walker supervising, and Williston Northampton School on Sunday with Bill Noel. Interior stair railings were completed and additional sections of porch railings were added. Final electrical work and inspection is expected this week. Smith Voc continues the second floor framing on Building 2. The foundation for Building 3 has been backfilled, the basement floor leveled, and the septic tank installed. Final grading on the entire site is in progress. Next up on Saturday is a group from Jakobs Well Christian Community, with Robert Hurley supervising. Sunday is reserved for site supervisors' training.

(5/25): The following groups have provided workers to our Westhampton Road site over the past couple of weeks:
May 14 - W. Mass Oberlin Alumni Club with George Hollywood and Bill Noel supervising
May 15 - UMass Polymer Science and Engineering with Stoney Cantler
May 21 - WomenBuild with Sadie Stull and Mo Berg
May 22 - Individual volunteers with Mark Lange
Building 1 is about a month away from completion. Major remaining tasks include: finish porch railings and steps, install interior stair railings, final grading, insulate basement ceiling, install carpeting. Building 2 has interior first-floor partitions and second floor framing has started.
Building 3 foundation has been coated and should be backfilled this week.
Next up on the 28th will be Masons A.F. & A.M. with Aaron Walker supervising, and on the 29th Williston Northampton School with Bill Noel.

(5/11): The following groups have contributed work at Westhampton Road over the past couple of weeks: April 30 - Mt Holyoke College, supervised by John Hondrogen.
May 1 - Supervisors' Training with Mark Lange.
May 7 - UMass Newman Center with Aaron Walker.
May 8 - Smith Academy with Aaron Walker.

Building 1: Kitchen counters, kickboards, sinks, bathroom vanities and vanity tops are all installed. Most of the lighting fixtures in Unit B are in place. Unit A pantry/coat closet is installed. More trim painting was done throughout both units and the sheetrock finished around the basement stairs. Some appliances have been delivered.

Building 2: Deck is complete and some exterior walls erected.

Building 3: Footings have been poured, and the foundation is expected to be poured this week.

Tomorrow the Wednesday work group will install locksets and continue with interior and exterior finish work in Building 1.

(4/27): The following groups have worked on Building 1 in the last couple of weeks: April 17: Northfield - Mount Hermon with Mark Lange supervising
April 23: Hampshire College with Robert Hurley
April 24: Williston Northampton School with Robert Hurley
plus the Wednesday workgroup on the 13th and 20th, Mercier Carpet, and Hampshire County work release painters.

All vinyl is installed in both units, Jim Booker has installed all light fixtures in Unit A, and the painting of trim is nearing completion. Cellar doors have been cased and the perimeter insulated. All kitchen cabinets and window blinds have been installed. Porch trim has been primed and some finish grading done.

Smith Voc is back from vacation and continues work on the deck of Building 2.

JC Company is expected to excavate the cellar hole for Building 3 this week.

On Saturday the 30th, the group from Mt Holyoke will be in Building 1 installing kitchen counters and bathroom vanities under the supervision of Mark Annis. On Sunday the Supervisor trainees will install footing forms for Building 3.

(4/13): Moving along on Building 1. This past weekend Steve Ferrari supervised a group from Northampton Interparish Social Concerns on Saturday, and Bill Noel subbed for Steve with a group from Smith College on Sunday. Today the Wednesday work group was on site, as were the painters from Hampshire County Corrections and installers from Mercier Carpet. Kitchen wall cabinets are hung, two basement doors installed, vinyl installed in one bathroom and one dining room, the building cleaned, and the site cleared for grading. Locksets, blinds, and kitchen counters are on order, and appliances will be ordered this week. The WomenBuild scheduled for Saturday has been cancelled but Northfield Mount Hermon is still scheduled for Sunday the 17th, with Mark Lange supervising.

On Building 2 the Smith Voc students poured pads for lally columns, installed the mud sill and half the first floor joists. Their schedule for the next two days is uncertain, and spring break is next week, but they will return on the 25th.

(4/7): Lot of activity at the Westhampton Road site this week, beginning with Saturday's group from Lambda Phi Epsilon, supervised by Aaron Walker. Sunday's training was cancelled, but the site got busy again on Tuesday with the arrival of the Smith Voc Carpentry Department students to begin work on Building 2, and Forestry Department students to fell more trees. Also on Tuesday JC Company began backfilling and grading, and the kitchen cabinets were delivered. Today the Smith Voc students poured footings for lally columns, the Hampshire County painting crew painted trim in Unit B, Springfield Job Corps installed porch trim, the Wednesday work group installed base cabinets in both units, and the order for carpet and vinyl was given to Mercier Carpet. Tomorrow the kitchen counters will be ordered. This weekend Steve Ferrari will supervise groups from Northampton Interparish Social Concerns on Saturday and Smith College on Sunday.

(3/30): Easter weekend was quiet at the Westhampton Road site. On Saturday George Hollywood supervised individual volunteers. The Smith College group scheduled for Saturday did not show, and the Hampshire College group scheduled for Sunday cancelled. The Wednesday work group met on the 23rd and again today. The Hampshire County painting crew has completed painting the trim on Unit A and the second floor of Unit B. They will be back next Wednesday to finish up. Finish stairs are complete in both units. Springfield Job Corps has completed decking all porches, but will return to trim out the posts. Cabinets are expected next week and installation will begin on Wednesday. Smith Voc has begun taking down trees in order to ready the back lot for the playground. Coming up this weekend is Lambda Phi Epsilon on Saturday, with Aaron Walker supervising. Sunday's supervisor training has been cancelled. In the next couple of weeks we should see some rough grading around Building 1, Smith Voc working on Building 2, and excavation for Building 3.

(3/21):A great assortment of interior and exterior work was accomplished, which included painting a stairwell and trim, insulating and sheetrocking under stairs, "mudding" around basement stairs, trim work in closets, more decking, and a major cleanup. Partner families selected light fixtures and bathroom accessories, and reviewed floor coverings. Coming up this week will be the Wednesday work group, the Hampshire County painting crew, and groups from Smith College on Saturday and Hampshire College on Sunday, supervised by George Hollywood and Bill Noel.

(3/9):Painting was the task for Mark Annis and the group from Westhampton Congregational Church last Saturday: walls, ceilings, and touch-up primer on trim. Today the Wednesday Work Group concentrated on the stairs in Unit B. The work release painting crew, which had been scheduled for today, was unable to make it and will be scheduled for a later date. There is plenty of work for this weekend, when Steve Ferrari will supervise individual volunteers on Saturday the 12th and First Churches Youth Group on Sunday. Work will include insulation and sheetrock under the stairs in Unit A, still more painting, and finishing up a few baseboards and closet trim. Over the next couple of weeks the partner families for Units A and B will select lighting fixtures, vinyl & carpet, cabinets should be delivered, and the porches completely decked.

(3/3): A pretty busy weekend for site supervisor Robert Hurley. On Saturday the 26th we welcomed groups from Hampshire College and Smith College, and on Sunday groups from Elms College and Deerfield Academy. Much painting was done. On Wednesday the 2nd the mid-week work group finished the stairs in Unit A, cut stringers for stairs in Unit B, and prepared interior trim for painting. The best news is that furnaces are now hooked up and operating, so we are treated to heat in all rooms at the same time. Coming up on Saturday the group from Westhampton Congregational Church will continue installing stairs in Unit B, under the supervision of Mark Annis. There is also more wall and ceiling painting to be done. The Sunday schedule calls for supervisors' training on cabinet installation. However, supervisors are asked to call the Construction Update Line on Saturday, as the cabinets have not yet arrived, and the training may be cancelled.

(2/23): Building One: Over the weekend of Feb 12 and 13 Stoney Cantler supervised a large group from Smith College on Saturday and individual volunteers on Sunday. Williston Northampton School had cancelled. The weekend of Feb 19 and 20 saw the WomenBuild with the addition of students from Smith and Mt. Holyoke on Saturday, and Northfield Mount Hermon with Aaron Walker supervising on Sunday. Weekday labor was contributed by Pat Falvey, the Wednesday group, and Springfield Job Corps. At this point the sheetrock is finished and the painting of walls and ceilings is 80% finished. Interior doors and trim are scheduled for painting on March 9 by Hampshire County Work Release. Cabinets are ordered and may be in as early as March 2. Furnaces should be in operation early next week. We are getting prices on vinyl floor covering and carpet. Interior stairs are getting the finish treads and risers and porches are being covered with composite decking. This coming weekend Robert Hurley will supervise groups from Hampshire College and Elms College. Their main task will be to finish painting walls and ceilings.

Building Two: Smith Vocational's Larry Sawula and his carpentry students are ready to start framing in early March.

Building Three: Excavation is planned for the spring.

(2/5):Last weekend was totally devoted to some badly needed cleanup and organization. Northampton Interparish Social Concerns helped out on Saturday, with Steve Ferrari and Mark Annis supervising. Smith College was scheduled for Sunday, but did not show. Fortunately one of the partner families carried the afternoon, and the work continued with Steve supervising. The site was pretty active on Feb 2, with the Wednesday group installing baseboard, Pat Falvey mudding sheetrock, and youths from Springfield Job Corps installing composite decking. Today several individual volunteers worked with Mark Lange on an assortment of interior finishing tasks, and Pat continued working on sheetrock. Tomorrow is reserved for a supervisors' training/workday. Families have selected kitchen cabinets, and the order will go in this week. Many thanks to Steve Ferrari and Kohl Construction, as we are able to piggyback our cabinets on a large Kohl order at a very good price. Also this week, we anticipate that Boulanger's Plumbing and Heating will install furnaces and the rest of the ductwork Completing the week, we should have in hand the permit for building 2.

(1/31): Brutal weather and illness have hampered progress in the past couple of weeks. The WomenBuild was held on the 15th with Karen Carter supervising, and on the 16th Northfield Mt. Hermon School worked under the supervision of Aaron Walker. The decking crew composed of Job Corps and YWCA Youthbuild, which had been scheduled for the 19th, was postponed, although the retirees did more finish work inside. Hampshire College on the 22nd and Elms College on the 23rd were both cancelled, as well as the retirees' group on the 26th. Today the group from Northampton Interparish Social Concerns is working under the supervision of Steve Ferrari and Mark Annis. Tomorrow Steve will supervise Smith College Habitat for Humanity. This weekend will be mostly devoted to cleanup, sorting, and organization of building materials brought down from Montague City Road and removed from our almost-empty Perkins Street storage unit.

(1/13): The Masons A.F. & A.M. and Willilston Northampton School were the two groups supervised by Stoney Cantler over the weekend of Jan. 8 and 9. Today the retirees' group worked. Underlayment is almost complete on the first floor of both units, but bathrooms are still to be done. Baseboards and other interior trim are in progress. Plumbers from Hodge City were on site today and promised to return tomorrow to complete installation of shower valves and water supply gate valves. This will enable us to install the remaining sheetrock. Within the next week or so we expect attic insulation to be blown in. We are looking forward to delivery of a storage unit for building materials currently being stored in the basement and several other sites.

(12/22): Last Saturday the WomenBuild was supervised by Sadie Stull, with Pat Quintilian subbing as crew leader. No work was scheduled for Sunday, but today the Wednesday retirees' group worked. More interior finish work and a major clean-up were the tasks. In addition the foundation for building 2 was draped with plastic to keep the ice off, anticipating that Smith Voc will begin work next month.

(12/16): Groups working last weekend were Smith College on Saturday and Williston Northampton on Sunday, both supervised by Robert Hurley. On Monday John Fernands, our new interim project manager, held his first team meeting. On Wednesday a full day on site was in store for the retirees' group. All the work was inside: finishing sheetrock, painting, hanging doors, installing underlayment and bathtubs. Much of the sheetrock work was done by Pat Falvey, who worked many nights at the site after his regular job. HFP Corp. installed a gate valve for the sprinklers. Over the next few days JC Company will be excavating for the leach field for building 3. The septic tank for that building will go in with the foundation in the spring.

(12/5):Working on the site last weekend were groups from First Congregational Church of Chester and Beit Ahavah Congregation, both days supervised by Aaron Walker. Bill Noel's Work Release and retirees group worked on Wednesday, December 1. Yesterday, December 4, Mark Annis supervised the group from First Congregational Church of South Hadley. Today is reserved for supervisors' training. Most of the volunteer work was inside, hanging and finishing sheetrock, and painting. Meanwhile, JC Company continued with septic system installation and brought in a water line from the street, which will serve all three buildings.

(11/23): Over the weekend of Nov 20-21 we continued with sheetrock finishing in both units of building one, and began painting the second floor of the three bedroom unit. Saturday's group was WomenBuild, supervised by Serena Torry with Linda Valenti as crew leader. On Sunday the birthday group for Karen Bellavance-Grace was supervised by George Hollywood, subbing for Stoney Cantler. JC Company has continued working on septic systems for buildings one and two and will also be bringing water to the site. We have applied for a permit for the septic system for building three. Dave O'Brien has agreed to handle kitchen designs in building one, and met with both partner families on Sunday.

(11/18): The volunteers did more sheetrock finishing and installed bathroom fan exhausts in building one, levelled the cellar floor in building two, and moved the tool shed to the west side of the property. JC Company began to excavate for septic systems and water line. 256 gallons of free Valspar interior paint was delivered to the PVHFH office.

(11/1): The past two weekends have seen big changes at the Westhampton Road site. Over the weekend of Oct 23 Mark Anis supervised groups from Interpret Social Concerns and the Amass group, CAL Dean's Book Class. The main task on that weekend was sheetrock. On Wednesday the 27th Rally's Construction poured the foundation for house two. On Friday Mark Lange's class from HCC broke ties and applied the first coat of foundation tar. On Saturday the group from Smith College (subbing for Mt. Holyoke), with Robert Hurley supervising, continued sheetrock finishing in house one. Williston Northampton School had been scheduled for today but cancelled. Fortunately several individual volunteers showed up to do more sheetrock finishing and to apply the second coat of tar to the foundation.

(10/17): Last weekend, October 9 and 10, Stoney Cantler supervised the UMass group, CSL Dean's Book Class on Saturday and a single UMass student on Sunday. Unfortunately the Mt. Holyoke group scheduled for Sunday did not show. Sheetrock was hung and exterior painting was almost completed until hornets took charge of the southeast corner. On Wednesday, Bill Noel's work release/retiree group poured the footing for house 2 and continued with sheetrock. Hanging and finishing sheetrock was the main task for the next three groups: Mark Lange's class on Friday, Pat Quintilian with WomenBuild on Saturday, and Mark Lange again on Sunday with Edwards Church.

(10/8): Great progress over the past week. On Saturday, October 2 Robert Hurley supervised the group from Westhampton Congregational Church. Sunday was reserved for supervisors' training. On Monday the Care-a-Vanners returned for their second week; tomorrow they will be packing up and heading out to different destinations. They are a terrific group, very capable and hard workers. Exterior painting is 90% done; by the end of day tomorrow all the siding and half the trim will have received two coats. HFP Corporation has begun installing sprinklers, and Northampton Fire Dept inspected today without finding any problems. Sheetrock is hung on the second floor of both units, and a start made on the first floor. Taping has begun, and Pat Falvey has volunteered to help.

(10/1):A busy site over the past week. Last weekend Steve Ferrari, assisted by Robert Hurley, supervised groups from Newman Center on Saturday and Mt Holyoke College on Sunday. On Monday the Care-a-Vanners began a two-week build with supervision from Robert Hurley, Bill Noel, Stan Brown, George Hollywood, and Pat Quintilian. Excavation for house #2 was completed, thanks to Kohl Construction. On house #1 sprinklers are being installed, insulation is complete, and we have begun sheetrocking. Siding is completely installed and porch trim will be finished today. Exterior caulking and first coat painting should also be completed today. Framing, wiring, rough plumbing, and insulation inspections were done.

(9/22):On Saturday the 18th the group from Mt Holyoke Second Saturday program was supervised by Karen Charbonneau, and on Sunday Kris Thomson supervised a group of individual volunteers. Robert Hurley assisted as crew leader on both days. The groups put up more siding and exterior trim, did some insulating, and installed firestop.

(9/15): On Saturday the 11th individual volunteers were supervised by George Hollywood, with Melissa Barringer and Liam Piggott assisting as crew leaders. On Sunday Mark Lange conducted supervisors' training on insulation. On Monday a group from Northfield Mount Hermon School was supervised by Bill Noel and George Hollywood. Work accomplished included porch trim, more siding, nailers, and more firestop caulking.

(9/7): On September 1, 2 and 3 Stan Brown, George Hollywood, and Bill Noel had the pleasure of supervising a well-motivated and industrious group from Amherst College. On Saturday of Labor Day weekend Aaron Walker led a small group of individual volunteers. No volunteers showed up on Sunday.

All stacks of lumber and other building materials were moved to make room for excavating the next two cellar holes. Bulkhead caulking was finished and more caulking was applied to siding. Firestop caulking was finished around pipes and wires. Nailers and some porch soffits were installed, work continued on siding, the house was swept, and several dump runs were made.

(8/25): Work accomplished recently included more siding, sheetrock nailers, insulation guards around the scuttles, foam draft-stop around windows, and firestop around wires and pipes in 2 b/r unit. Also some materials in the yard were relocated in order to excavate for next two buildings.

(8/17): A busy week at our Westhampton Road site. Over the weekend of August 14/15 Steve Ferrari supervised individual volunteers with assistance from Melissa Barringer. On Tuesday the 17th MJ Adams and Bill Noel co-supervised a large "Learning in Retirement" group. Work continued on plumbing, wiring, siding, exterior painting, and the deck.

(8/9): Over the weekend of August 7 and 8 more siding was installed on the south side of the house and the back porch framing was completed on the 3 b/r unit. George Hollywood worked with one volunteer on Saturday and Bill Noel supervised a terrific youth group from St. Mary's Church in Franklin, MA on Sunday.

(8/4): Since our last report the following work crews and supervisors have completed tasks at Westhampton Road: July 24 - Aaron Walker and individual volunteers July 25 - Linda Valenti and the WomenBuild half-day session July 31 - no volunteers on site Aug 1 - Supervisors' training Aug 4 - Bill Noel, Stan Brown, and George Hollywood with Hampshire County Work Release Work completed includes framing of attic access and wall around stairwell, caulking of bulkhead, more siding, more heating duct work, and framing of back porch in 3 b/r unit. In addition, Jim Booker did more wiring and workers from Hodge City began the rough plumbing. Subbing for Kris Thomson this weekend will be George Hollywood with individual volunteers on the 7th and Bill Noel with Youth Service Corps on the 8th.

(7/16): A busy week, beginning with Saturday the 10th, when Bill Noel and Steve Ferrari supervised a group of individual volunteers. Sunday's group was from Beit Ahavah, with Mark Lange supervising, assisted by Melissa Barringer. On Monday through Thursday we hosted a youth group from Frost Valley (NY) YMCA. Supervision was shared by Bill Noel, Kris Thomson, Stan Brown, and George Hollywood. Work accomplished included temporary stairs, more siding, installation of heating ducts, deck posts, caulking and exterior painting, and painting of the tool shed. The group also spent one day doing some heavy cleaning at the renovation site in Greenfield.

(7/10): Stairs and stair landings were the projects for Steve Ferrari and Mark Lange on Saturday, July 3, and for Stan Brown and George Hollywood on Wednesday, July 7.

(6/21): On Wednesday, June 16 Bill Noel's work release/retiree group, assisted by Stan Brown, moved two water heaters and some lumber from Ryan Road and installed the sliders. On Saturday, June 19 the Womenbuild group trimmed out the sliders, installed more siding, and almost completed the basement stairs. Supervisor was Linda Valenti, assisted by Sadie Stull and Gerda Swedowsky.

(6/15): Work continued on siding, basement stairs and landings were started in the three-bedroom unit, blocking was installed for kitchen cabinets, the door in the basement demising wall was moved to a more convenient location, staging was removed and the site prepared for delivery of the tool shed.

(5/26): On Saturday, May 22 Steve Ferrari, assisted by Tom Goldscheider, supervised individual volunteers. On Sunday Bill Noel, subbing for Steve and assisted by Roger Lind, supervised the group from Williston School. More siding and exterior trim was installed, and one set of cellar stairs was built. Next up is Mark Lange with individual volunteers on the 29th and First Congregational Church of Chester on the 30th.

(5/18):On Saturday, May 15, Linda Valenti and Gerda Swedowsky supervised WomenBuild. On Sunday Bill Noel, subbing for Kris Thomson, supervised the group from Edwards Church. Porch roofing was almost completed, exterior trim installed, and more siding was installed. Smith Voc. has finished the tool shed and it is ready for us to move to the site.

(5/12): 4/24-25 Aaron Walker supervised groups from First Church Amherst and UMass SOM ULEAD.
5/1 Stoney Cantler supervised individual volunteers.
5/2 Site supervisor training on installation of siding.
5/8-9 Mark Annis supervised individual volunteers and a group from UMass Chemistry Dept.
Following work was accomplished:
House roof is finished, porch roofs started.
Demising wall framed from second floor to rafters.
Basement stairwell framed.
Siding started on east wall.

(4/21): Saturday the 17th saw Linda Valenti's Womenbuild and on Sunday Mark Lange supervised the group from West Cummington Congregational Church. Work continued on the roof, the front door was installed in the rear unit and framing was completed on the porch, more framing was done on the basement demising wall, and some exterior window trim was installed. Next up will be Bill Noel's work release group on the 21st, and for the weekend Stoney Cantler will supervise groups from First Church Amherst and UMass SOM ULEAD Council.

(4/15): Saturday, April 10 saw a scheduling change. UMass SOM ULEAD Council was replaced by a group from Hampshire College which had been scheduled for Montague City Road. Steve Ferrari supervised, assisted by Grant Bowman and Dave O'Brien. Also in attendance were students from the UMass Building Technology program. On Sunday Steve supervised a youth group from Deerfield Academy. Over those two days the basement floor was poured, wall framing was done in the basement, work continued on the roof and framing was completed on the north side porch.

(March 30): Wednesday, March 24: Bill Noel and George Hollywood supervised the Work Release group, assisted by Stan Brown and Steve L'Heureux. Work continued on exterior trim.
Thursday, March 25: Jim Booker installed the breaker panel and Mass. Electric installed the transformer. Next step is the inspection by the city, and then the power can be turned on.
Saturday, March 27: Mark Annis supervised a group from Lambda Phi Epsilon and began installing windows. Utility trench was more completely backfilled, work continued on the porches, and the Habitat sign was repositioned.
Sunday, March 28: Mark supervised UMass SOM ULEAD Council and almost completed window installation.

(March 22) Three groups worked at the Westhampton Road site over the past two weekends. Stoney Cantler supervised a group from Interparish Social Concerns, Catholic Parishes of Northampton on March 13 and a group from Congregation B'nai Israel on March 14. Sadie Stull and Linda Valenti supervised the WomenBuild on March 20. On March 21 Aaron Walker supervised individual volunteers. More trim was added to the house and the two porches were partially framed. This work will continue next weekend when Mark Annis will supervise groups from Lanbda Phi Epsilon on the 27th and UMass SOM ULEAD Council on the 28th.

(March 8) Work accomplished: soffit, fascia, corner boards, and sheetrock nailers were installed. Interior framing and stair landings were checked and adjusted. Electric cable was pulled from house to transformer. The hay frost-proofing was removed from the basement and the site was straightened up.