OPENING the COMMONS  

• ​HOUSEKEEPING ISSUES – ON-GOING      
• The Commons accumulates lots of dust, dead flies and some times mice      remains over the winter.  

The first users  - should: 

1. Sanitize all kitchen counters and appliances. ·      

All Members - should pitch in to ready the building for use: That requires:

1. A good sweeping upstairs and downstairs, mats & the steps and the deck (we have had numerous falls when deck is wet – especially if there are leaves on it.)
2. Dusting all of the furniture that will be used
3. Sweep cobwebs off windows and sills (washing windows helpful)
4. Wood stove: clear ashes left from earlier use.  Close door vent.  (it was  blackened about 2009 and it needs it again to retard rusting.  Materials are in shoebox (probably in white cabinet under stairs.) 

BED BOX ITEMS - MATTRESSES AND PILLOWS, etc.

1. Remove mattresses and pillows and distribute them on top of the Bed Boxes. 
   1. Additional pillows are stored in trunk in the bed-room to the left of the stairs on the loft.   

PRIVY

1. Opening:  Sweep out cobwebs from around windows & elsewhere.
2. Wash windows, wipe/sanitize seat and coverPlastic supply tub: (may have been stored in Commons over winter)
3. Place supplies in container and make sure it is KEPT tightly closed 

PROPANE ITEMS:  STOVE,  REFRIGERATOR AND LIGHTS 
Stove
The gas range was replaced August 2019 with a model that does not have open flame pilots.  

1. It will not have an "inside the stove shutoff" so the gas leading to the stove runs directly from the tank shut on/off outside. The outside tank should always be shut off when the property is vacated.
2. To turn on any one of the burners on top of the stove, twist the handle in the on direction as far as possible for a second or two then turn the dial back to the hight of flame you choose.  This action automatically ignites the flame.  .
3. The oven/broiler has a 9-volt battery (lower left side) that lights a pilot/the oven/broiler coils.  Turn oven knob to on position and hold for about 15 seconds as it clicks, then turn knob to the temperature desired.  There is a hole in the front bottom end of the oven floor that allows you to see if the flame has ignited.    The 9-volt batter MUST BE REPLACED each year.  So the first person to open and/or use the Commons should replace that battery.  Just simply pull it out of the slot and replace it with a new one.
4. Care of the gas range.  Fall of 2020 - mice had gotten under range top from the back & the insulation underneath was cleaned.  PLEASE check before using.

• ​The stove top fits very closely up against each burner unit which should prevent mice from crawling in there and also avoid (most)  fluid from spills or boilovers from getting down on the drip-pan beneath the burners.  
• The stove top should still be lifted and cleaned if necessary at the end of each residency period to avoid rust and corrosion to the burner units. (that is what killed the old stove)
• We were informed by the installers that placing Bounce dryer sheets in the oven would deter mice from entering so the wooden Stove Box is no longer needed.  
• The person who turns on the GAS AT THE TANK should also IMMEDIATELY remove any Bounce sheets from the oven and broiler.. 

Refrigerator:
ITEM ADDED 2019:  Refrigerator Flu Cleaning:  

1. Before turning on gas.  Pull refrigerator forward enough to get behind refrigerator(copper pipe is flexible enough). there is a pipe that runs hight of the refrigerator on the left side.  Run the long handled brush that is hanging on back of refrigerator up and down in the pipe to clean out cobwebs.  If additional webs noticed, use vacuum to remove.
2. Turn on gas valve, behind the cabinet, left of refrigerator.
3. Turn the on/off button located on bottom of refrigerator.  Set at #3 cools adequately except when very full, with heavy use
4. Screw in light bulb in fridge. ​(this is battery operated and battery and bulb may need to be repaired.

Lights, propane 

• These are used little now, and they should be in an off position at all times when not lit.                                                         

WATER SYSTEM 
SINK - First User

1. Make sure the valve on the elbow under the sink, beneath the windows, is closed. 
2. There is a hose hanging on the right side of the building with one end attached to the water holding tank upstairs and the other end attached to the pump.  Check to see that both ends are secure. 
3. Before pumping any water into the house.
4. Find out if the water has been tested recently. 
5. **There is a T switch on the hose leading into the house.  One position sends the water out of the hose leading away from the house and the other directs the water into the house.  First user should always direct water outside first to test the water condition. 
6. Let the water run for a while until it becomes  (smell & taste) clear before filling the holding tank. If a water test indicates that the water is not fit to drink, follow the well treatmentdirections below before pumping any water into the house. 
7. If water is fit to use in kitchen, follow pump instructions (posted under solar panel to pump water into the holding tank.  There is an automatic shut off valve on the upstairs water storage tank that cuts off when the tank is full. 
8. First residents sometimes need to get water from Roelofs for kitchen use until water runs clear.  Check with Roelofs, then take white potable hose (possibly stored in DBA shed) and attach to their outside faucet.  Fill the large, wide mouth thermos jugs only for kitchen use.

*WELL TREATMENT (bleach) (if indicated by water test results)

• Loosen nuts only a LITTLE bit – do not remove them for fear of losing connections for the pump!  
• Slide “cover” to the side only far enough to put in liquid or tablet Clorox.  Do NOT OVER USE CLOROX. Check with the  plumber or with Google to determine the amount of Clorox needed.
• Use Bison Pump wooden paddle  (found just inside Commons door or on shelf). Place paddle between the pump and the well pipe stabilize things while you are working.  
• Replace cover and tighten nuts and bolts.  
• Pump water until no odor of Clorox remains.  

SHOWER

1. Fill shower bags and put in sun. (by users)
2. (Optional) Get black tub, cover, hoses and water heater from shed.  Assemble in outdoor shower.
3.  Hook up hose to pump water into tub. (if possible)

 
HAMMOCK  -usually stored in bed box next to Commons door.
·      Hang if desired.
·      Whoever hangs it is responsible for taking it down when leaving - or passing that responsibility to another member who says they want to use it and will take it down and put it back in bed box.
 
WINDOW VENTS: ( There are five) The four on the Rt. 172 side of the cabin are hinged and can be opened and closed as desired.
When closing the Commons be sure that they are tightly latched.
The one on the deck side of the Commons is generally not opened since a window has been installed next to the door.  This cover could be replaced with a permanent closure.                                                                                                   ​