Phase 4 Closes Out With Fully Repaired West Wall

and it’s a wrap! Joseph Gnazzo Company Inc. did a fabulous job, finishing ahead of time and on budget. We were all heartened to discover that the two west buttresses did not need dismantling and rebuilding. Gnazzo was able to deep cut and grout each of them in place. However, the stones around the top left wall crack needed to be rebuilt, with exterior stones numbered and removed to access and reinforce the inner wall. Like a 3D puzzle, each stone was carefully returned to its rightful place. 

Just ten weeks from the start, we have a completely cut and freshly grouted west wall stretching from the steeple soffit almost to the ground. For cleanup, Gnazzo swept up 12 buckets of sand that had been washed out of the joints and inner walls. The scaffolding came down in just 2 days’ time.

This Phase 4 cost $130,000 with every penny well spent. Phase 4 closes out with a voluminous Completion Report going to the Massachusetts Historical Commission.

Site Inspections Give "Thumbs Up”

The masons have been hard at work and were paid a visit today by Martin Anderson, Project Manager for Joseph Gnazzo, and Jillian Borghardt of Structures North Consulting Engineers. The workers have been chiseling out dried, crumbling mortar and pressure-washing all of the joints. We were all heartened to find that some intact mortar remained; there were no places where the mortar had disintegrated all the way through to the interior. Nonetheless there is a significant amount of new pointing required.
The masons prepared several color samples of the mortar to be used, and will await for them to set and dry in order to select the sample that best matches that used in other parts of the building.

A Chilly Kick-Off for Phase 4

After a full week of assembly, the bell tower scaffolding is up and ready to climb! Joseph Gnazzo persisted through through rain, dreary days and gusting winds to erect this impressive multi-story structure for their work on the west face. The ground level has a plywood “room”built around the base for security and safety, and is padlocked after working hours. The green scrim above serves as a wind breaker and sun shield. Work is ready to commence.

Contract Awarded for Phase 4

UUCW received bids from two masonry firms for our proposed Phase 4 repairs. After consultation with Structures North Consulting Engineers and the Massachusetts Historical Commission, we awarded the contract to Joseph Gnazzo Company Inc., of Union, CT as the lowest qualified bidder. Gnazzo is well acquainted with our Set in Stone campaign as they have conducted excellent work for Phases 1 and 2 in 2019-2021.

Phase 4 will focus in the West side of the bell tower (facing Pleasant Street). The masons will have their work cut out for them: below is a close-up of some of the open mortar joints that are in dire need of attention. Work will begin in Spring 2025 and will be signaled by the arrival of the now-familiar scaffolding.