WESTFORD -- Town Meeting approved $4.1 million for window replacement in two local schools and a center fire station feasibility study during its annual session on Saturday.

Windows at the Norman E. Day and Col. John Robinson elementary schools need to be replaced, officials said. Permanent Town Building Committee Chairman Tom Mahanna said the $4,101,750 cost estimate is a worst-case projection. The town is eligible for a 46 percent reimbursement rate through the state School Building Authority.

Resident Rob Creegan questioned why the project will cost more than what was projected at fall Town Meeting, $2 million to $3 million. School officials said hazardous materials were found at the schools, driving up the cost.

School Committee Chairman David Keele urged voters to think of this as an "oil change" which would add 20 to 30 years to the buildings.

Creegan also asked why the town should spend the money if they're considering closing schools due to lower enrollment figures recently. Superintendent of Schools Everett "Bill" Olsen closing schools is a question of "when, not if" at this time.

"There's always uncertainty in terms of what our future enrollment will look like," Olsen said.

Voters also approved spending $50,000 to review the center fire station, after rejecting a $350,000 study in the fall.

Resident Daniel Sulka made an amendment approved by voters to allow the study to look at all alternatives, instead of just "recommended concepts." The study will include a formal consideration of centralizing dispatch communications at the new station.

Fire Chief Joe Targ added though the town was considering going from a three-station to four-station model last October, with building a new station on Boston Road, that idea has been tabled.

Selectmen Chairman Andrea Peraner-Sweet described the Main Street station as "decrepit." Targ said reconstructing or renovating the building from the 1970s would make operations "safer."

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Westford OKs station study, school windows

WESTFORD -- Town Meeting Saturday will ask members to consider 35 articles, ranging from annual budget items to a window-replacement project at the Col. John Robinson and Norman E. Day schools, and a study for a new center fire station.

Under Article 11, the town will ask for $4,101,750 to complete the design, bidding and construction phases of two window- and door-replacement projects at the schools, which includes costs for hazardous-material removal.

At fall Special Town Meeting, the Permanent Town Building Committee estimated new windows for the Day and Robinson Elementary schools would cost around $2 million. Officials said in meetings this year the cost went up because of hazardous materials found at the school.

Tom Mahanna, Building Committee chairman, said if the town doesn't pass the article, Westford will have to pay about the same for abatement of the materials found at the schools. Through the Massachusetts School Building Authority, the town will be eligible for a 46 percent reimbursement from the state for the project.

Article 12 will ask residents to consider appropriating $50,000 for a Fire Department study to determine reconfiguration or reconstruction for the center fire station and whether the town should bring in a fourth fire station. The feasibility study would also look at consolidating emergency-communications operations and relocating the Technology Department to the center station.

An article related to this failed last fall, when the town was asked to consider $350,000 for a similar study. Voters voiced concerns over the placement of a proposed new site for a station on Boston Road, and some criticized the high cost and impact the move would have on the feel of the town.

The town will additionally consider the budget for fiscal 2015. Article 16 proposes a total operating budget of $102,050,389, which would increase to $108,780,670 if all proposed articles at Town Meeting are adopted Saturday. Last year's budget was $103,585,538, according to the Town Clerk's Office.

Additional articles on the warrant include Article 5, which will ask members whether to approve $250,000 in expenses for perchlorate contamination. Article 9 asks for about $4.1 million in capital appropriations, including $225,000 for Main Street road design, $99,005 for town building-security improvements and $325,000 for the replacement of school computers.

Article 10 is related to more than $2.8 million for repairing the roof at the Nashoba Valley Technical High School; Article 23 will ask voters to establish an annual fee for the licensing of dogs for $15 to $20; Article 28 will be on whether to adopt a general town bylaw related to medical-marijuana dispensaries coming to town.

Town Meeting will be at the Abbot Elementary School at 25 Depot St. Saturday at 10 a.m. There will be a lunch break at 12:30 p.m. If the meeting does not finish Saturday, it will be continued until Monday and will start at 7 p.m.

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Fire-station study on tap for Westford Town Meeting on Saturday

In May, both the Grand Haven and Spring Lake school districts have ballot proposals for voters to decide on.

Here is a rundown of what is on the May 6 ballot:

Grand Haven Area Public Schools will ask voters for its general operating millage renewal of 18 mills against non-principal residences and other non-exempt property required for the district to receive its per-pupil foundation allowance.

The district also has two bond proposals.

Proposal 1 would generate about $36 million for:

1-to-1 technology devices Infrastructure improvements Desktop computer replacements Instructional technology replacements Phone system upgrade Equipment replacement: servers, media, copiers Updated security cameras Bus replacements Student transportation tracking system Roof replacements Asphalt replacement Student learning equipment Improved fire systems at Lakeshore Middle School and Griffin Elementary School Secure entrance systems

Proposal 2, which is contingent on the approval of Proposal 1, would generate about $9.69 million for:

Districtwide fencing Asbestos removal Equipment replacement: classroom tables, student desks, lockers, cafeteria tables Athletic improvements: seat replacement, turf replacement, floor refinishing, weight room addition Arts improvements: classroom space, increased storage, ceiling replacement Improved traffic areas at Lakeshore Middle School and Grand Haven High School

Spring Lake Public Schools has two bond proposals on the ballot, but they arent contingent on passage of the other.

Proposal 1 would generate $49.8 million for the purpose of:

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School issues dominate May election

Nick Damicos wish of becoming a head baseball coach at the high school level came to fruition Dec. 4, when he was chosen as Don Hartmans replacement at California. Not only did Damico replace a coach who won nine section titles and two WPIAL championships in 23 years, but he was faced with making up for the loss of Observer-Reporter Player of the Year pitcher Brian Fisher.

After serving as the Trojans pitching coach for six years, Damico has the benefit of returning eight starters from last years team that reached the PIAA Class A semifinals and finished with a 20-6 record. Helping ease the loss of Fishers pitching will be senior third baseman Ronnie Baron, who hit .359 in 2013 and has driven in 76 runs during his high school career.

With Fisher gone, Damico will turn to senior Josh Luko, who went 5-2 with 42 strikeouts and a 3.60 ERA in 44 2/3 innings. Also expected to receive quality innings is junior Garitt Woodburn, and a group of three freshmen will compete for spots in the rotation.

Damico, who played baseball at California University, made a decision during preseason workouts to have Luko, who started at shortstop ast year, move to first base to ensure his arm will withstand the increased workload.

Damico is still stressing the importance of pitching and defense two key components of Californias game during Hartmans highly successful coaching tenure.

My philosophy has always been pitching and defense, Damico said. Offense has always been a bonus. Were going to need to pitch and play solid defense to get to where we were last year. Thats how we got there. We had a guy who pitched for us, and he did a great job.

The Trojans offense is led by Baron and senior second baseman Mike Luketich, who hit .457 last season while scoring 37 runs, knocking in 29 and stealing 12 bases. The No. 3 hitter in Californias lineup, Luketich will be expected to contribute at the plate and provide stellar defense up the middle. Luketich will have a different doubleplay partner this year in sophomore Louden Conte.

(Louden) was our closer last year, but I took him out of the rotation, too, Damico said. We needed to make up for moving Josh over to first. Hes able to hit the ball to both sides, hes a solid defender, and hes gotten stronger from last year. Were looking for him to anchor that infield.

Conte has moved to shortstop to shore up Californias defense, which faltered during its bid for a state championship. With two starters in the rotation who throw sinkers, strong infield defense is pivotal for the Trojans.

We wanted to solidify our infield by not moving too many guys around this year, Damico said. Mike is doing solid at second base, and were pretty excited we have those guys for the entire year.

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New coach, same expectations for California baseball

To most longtime Danville people, its still the Old Post Office, but its really the Federal Building.

The handsome limestone structure has been a Vermilion Street landmark since 1911, but nobody seems to know what its future might hold.

Everything was fine until the late 1970s. Thats when the boundaries of the local U.S. court district were changed. At about the same time, the boundaries of the local congressional district were changed, too, and Champaign-Urbana was added to it.

Remapping the congressional district brought the election of a congressman with no Danville ties. That resulted in funding for a satellite U.S. district courthouse in Urbana, which eventually replaced the one in Danville.

After years of complaints about congestion at the post office loading dock and a lack of off-street parking, construction on a new Danville Post Office began in 1984 and ended in 1986. This spring, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court is moving to Urbana, too.

That doesnt leave a whole lot in the Federal Building Social Security offices, some law offices, and the Danville office of U.S. Rep. John Shimkus.

When the building opened in 1911, it was the pride of the city. For the first time, Danville had a true Federal Building, with all federal offices, federal courts and the U.S. Post Office under one roof.

Construction took two years and cost $500,000 big money 103 years ago. It was built for the ages: solid stone, solid oak, solid bronze, solid marble. It spoke to the power of U.S. Rep. Joseph G. Cannon or Uncle Joe who lived two blocks up Vermilion Street. He was House speaker from 1903 until 1911, and one of the most powerful House speakers ever.

In 1905, Cannon got a bill through the House that created the U.S. Eastern District of Illinois. The Danville section stretched from Kankakee to Cairo, and west to East St. Louis.

Danville was smaller than most cities with federal courthouses, but Danville was Uncle Joes town, and that was enough. In 1909 construction began on the site of the old Mike Kelly mansion. Kelly was an Irish immigrant who made a fortune in coal.

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Federal facility was built for the ages

The Bottom Line Other Business Features Local Stories from ThisWeek By Steve Wartenberg The Columbus Dispatch Sunday March 23, 2014 10:34 AM

The number of construction jobs has increased in 38 states, including Ohio. Several new projects are underway locally. Lower vacancy rates in central Ohio offices and warehouses could lead to even more groundbreaking ceremonies this year.

These are a few of the recent encouraging signs for the construction industry, say local experts, who quickly caution that the growth here will be slow and steady.

Were seeing a gradual improvement in the market, after quite a roller-coaster ride the past five or six years, said Tom Manahan, a Turner Construction Co. senior vice president who manages its four Ohio offices and its national industrial group.

The CBRE 2014 Market Outlook also predicts continued growth.

The takeaway for me is office and warehouse markets continue to get healthier and healthier, said Rob Click, senior managing director of CBREs Columbus office. Were seeing vacancy rates at near-record lows, lease rates have stabilized, and the next stage is to see some more speculative development, especially for industrial use.

He also predicts slow, steady growth.

Its still very difficult to borrow for speculative projects, unless you have a tenant in tow and can show the economic justification, Click said.

Another positive sign for the industry was the two-year capital budget recently proposed by Gov. John Kasich. It calls for $2.4 billion for construction and renovation projects.

Columbus-based Daimler Group began work on Wednesday on a $15 million building in Dublin that will be the home of Ohio Universitys Physician Assistance Practice program.

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Signs grow brighter for local construction

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ANDREW BRANCA Daily Light Staff Writer

Gleam Clean owner Robert Lemire (right) and Operations Manager Brandon Clement provide water, smoke, fire dam- age restoration and cleaning services for all floor types

ANDREW BRANCA Daily Light Staff Writer

Gleam Clean Carpet Cleaning is located at 912 Fer- ris Ave. in Waxahachie. The staff at Gleam Clean can be reached at 972- 937-7824. Gleam Clean website is http://www.gleam- cleancarpet.com.

Posted: Thursday, March 20, 2014 8:53 pm | Updated: 8:59 pm, Thu Mar 20, 2014.

Gleam Clean: 'I am here to help' Ellis County ANDREW BRANCA Daily Light Staff Writer Waxahachie Newspapers Inc.

Hard work, integrity and honesty form the foundation that makes up the Gleam Clean Carpet Cleaning business model. Gleam Clean has been serving businesses and residents across the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex since 2005.

I started in 2005 as a dry cleaning operation with carpet. I was doing 12-15 jobs a day. In 2007 I added a guy named Brandon Clement, a professional steam cleaner to my operations. He is certified steam carpet cleaning, Gleam Clean Owner Robert Lemire said. So we got together and merged our two operations. In 2008 I brought in Jason Whitley and he is a master flood tech and fire restorer.

An online service is needed to view this article in its entirety. You need an online service to view this article in its entirety.

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Gleam Clean: 'I am here to help' Ellis County

Q: What are some of the new trends in sustainable building?

A: Ductless heat pumps are continuing to gain in popularity. Not only do they not require ducts, they can be the most affordable heating solution up front and also offer the deepest energy savings over the long haul.

Another trend is insulation for the outside of the home. Outside insulation is installed behind the siding and under the roofing. Typical insulation is broken up by the wall studs and the roof rafters.

When you add even a moderate amount of continuous rigid insulation to the outside of your walls or your roof you have a fully insulated structure. This allows homeowners to save significantly on energy costs, and the rigid insulation is capable of lasting for 100 years or more.

Also gaining in popularity is rain-screen siding. Considered a best practice for climates where there is a lot of precipitation, this method involves installing siding on top of battens, which creates a ventilation space behind the siding.

In damp weather, siding will get wet on the front and back no matter how it is installed. In older buildings with no insulation, the furnace or fireplace would dry the siding when it got wet. But now that we insulate our buildings, the siding needs some airflow behind it in order to facilitate a good dry-out between rainy days.

Speaking of all that precipitation, consider creating a rain garden. Many homes have downspouts that pour onto splash plates, and roof rainwater simply flows into soggy yards all winter.

Rain gardens take water away from the house by distributing it safely into the ground. The added bonus, of course, is the beauty of the gardens vegetation.

It may be hard to believe with all the Northwests cloudy and rainy weather, but solar panels placed on south, east and west pitches does work. The region has an impressively long sun arc in summer, and there are plenty of photons bouncing around even on high-white-cloud days.

Fortunately, your home doesnt need a southern-facing roof pitch to take advantage of solar energy.

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Sustainable building trends to consider | HomeWork