Annual Report July 2023 – June 2024
Board of Directors:
- Don Murray, President – Fayston
- Polly Bednash, Vice President – Waitsfield
- Bill Zekas, Treasurer – Moretown
- Steve Fried, Secretary – Waitsfield
- Mike Kelley – Warren
- Danielle Hampton – Fayston
- Mike Curtin – Fayston
- Judy Phelon – Warren
- Rosemarie White – Warren
The Board gave a heartfelt thanks to Tom Emory, Suzanne Peterson, and Dick Valentinetti upon the completion of their terms on the Board in September of 2023.
As issues concerning COVID-19 seem to have become less pronounced, the Health Center continued to be fully rented and our tenants remained current on their rent payments. As had been the practice in past years, rent increase was limited to the CPI. There was no turnover of tenants during the year. On June 30, the following health care providers were using the Health Center to deliver their services.
- Mad River Valley Family Practice (CVMC)
- Three Moons Wellness
- Hannah’s House
- Dr. Richard Davis
With the vision and energy of board member Polly Bednash, in the fall of 2023 a highly successful vaccination clinic was held where COVID, flu (including the quadrivalent for adults over age 64), and RSV vaccines were offered. The clinic was a success in large part due to the pharmacists and staff at the Waterbury Shaw’s Osco Pharmacy who contributed their time and services by hosting this clinic and providing the vaccinations.
During the year, the Board continued to remain in frequent contact with CVMC over a range of issues, particularly those relating to lack of staffing and continued difficulties in getting in to see a provider in a timely fashion. met with our majority tenant, Central Vermont Health Center. CVMC’s operation remains heavily impacted by the lingering effects of Covid-19 and by the shortage of health care workers, a situation which is not unique to just the Valley. CVMC continues to affirm its commitment to the Mad River Valley.
The Health Center building is approaching 20 years old which will likely trigger significant capital expenses going forward. The four HVAC condensers are nearing the end of their projected life expectancy and the decision was made to proceed with their replacement. That project was completed in the fall of 2023. Fortunately the maintenance reserves built up over the last few years should be enough to cover these expenses. The Board is taking more proactive measures to prepare for anything untoward.
Regrettably, in late December 2023 after significant rains in the Valley and a significant warm up in temperatures causing severe a snow melt, the basement of the building was partially flooded. Multiple pumps were brought in to try and keep up with the flow of water coming into the building and ultimately pump trucks were called in to pump out the basement. Ultimately, a new pump was installed in a shaft dug outside the building (to complement the pump in the elevator shaft that had to be replaced) and the water has been drained away from the building. Luckily, the damage inside the building was kept to a minimum, but at this time the exact costs of the repairs and the cause of the water infiltration remain uncertain.
The Board of Directors is confident that the Health Center is financially stable and remains the highest quality facility in the Mad River Valley for health care professionals.