The Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose (BHM) School Dist. 877 will have a bond question on the Nov. 4 general election ballot.

The proposed $33 million bond includes a variety of projects that touch every school in the district.

The number one project in the bond is the improvements to safety and security in the schools. Hanover Elementary, along with Discovery and Tatanka Elementary schools in Buffalo, would have the entryway to the school remodeled. Parents and the public who visit the school would have to enter through the office and check-in before making their way to any part of the building. Hanover, and other schools around the district, will also see upgrades and additions of security cameras and the high school would install an upgraded intercom/phone system.

The demand for technology is greater and greater each year. Infrastructure, servers, switches, and routers are beginning to show their age as more and more devices are accessing the system since students are being encouraged to bring their own devices to school. Funds for technology would help make necessary upgrades and replacements district-wide while keeping up with the pace of technology.

Another major project within the bond funding is deferred maintenance. Deferred maintenance is composed of projects that have been postponed by the district because the funds are not available. Over the years, these projects add up and eventually need to be addressed. Some of the deferred maintenance projects district-wide include roof replacements (seven out of nine buildings); HVAC (heating ventilation and air conditioning) upgrades; parking lot and sidewalk repairs and replacements; floor, window and door upgrades; outdoor equipment replacement; and mechanical system upgrades.

There are also needs for additional classroom spaces around the district. The new entrance at Hanover would allow the current office space to be converted into kindergarten space. Buffalo High School (BHS) is in need of more classroom and physical education space. One large classroom at BHS has been identified that could be remodeled into multiple classrooms. Space would be added on the northeast corner of the Performing Arts Center that would serve as a multi-purpose fine arts classroom. The high school would also see an addition of gymnasium space on the north end of the school by the current gymnasium and activity center.

Annually, activity venues get a few tweaks here and there, but any major improvements are delayed due to high costs and budget constraints. The pool, located at the middle school, is in need of a new water filtration system, HVAC improvements, family locker rooms, updates to the existing locker rooms (flooring, shower tile, fixtures and lockers), and storage. An addition to the outside of the pool area (southwest corner of the middle school) would provide better public access.

Other activity site and facility upgrades at BHS would include adding a track and two multi-purpose playing fields (one field would be a synthetic playing field and the other would be sand-peat), relocating three softball fields to the west end of the school (currently a practice field), making improvements to two baseball fields, and grading and improving irrigation to all the field spaces at the high school and also the fields located at the middle school. The addition and improvements of these spaces would help alleviate the current overcrowded, overused fields at both schools.

The $33 million bond for facilities and technology would have an estimated tax impact of about $88 per year on a $200,000 home (thats just over $7 per month). If approved, the district will begin work on the projects in the summer of 2015 and would be completed within five years or less. The bond would be paid over a period of 15 years.

Voting takes place on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 4. Since it is a general election, voters will vote at their regular voting precincts. More detailed information can be found in the districts October Insider newsletter. You will also find updated information on the districts website at http://www.bhmschools.org and Facebook page.

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Dist. 877 bond addresses safety, other issues

Everett, WA (PRWEB) October 23, 2014

Winter storms are rapidly approaching usbut is your property ready for it? asks Precision Tree Services in their newly released article about the importance of preparing your trees for the winter months.

Why is this necessary? Precision Tree Services explains that the wind storms, heavy rain, and occasional ice storms can cause a lot of damage to trees and property.

Trees that are unhealthy, dying, or already dead are far more likely to be susceptible to high winds and ice, and they may drop branches and limbs onto buildings, homes, vehicles, and even passersby. These trees can even fall over or split, creating widespread damage to the homeowners property.

The key to preventing this damage is to have problematic or hazardous trees trimmed or removed from your property.

To learn about Precision Tree Services tree trimming and tree removal services, follow this link to their website: http://precisiontreeservicewa.com/

But how can you tell whether or not a tree is dangerously ready to drop a branch through your dining room window on the next gusty day, or if the whole structure is getting ready to collapse, the article inquires of homeowners. Precision Tree Services article addresses that as well, giving homeowners a list of indications that a tree may not be ready for the winter weather.

Some examples are large areas of dead or browned leaves, cracks in the trunk that go deeper than the bark layer, widow-makers hanging in the branches, trees leaning too closely to buildings or other sensitive structures.

Precision Tree Service concludes their article saying, We can provide you with information on the safety of the trees located around your property, as well as give you estimates for the cost of pruning or removing the trees that pose a threat.

About Precision Tree Services: Precision Tree Services is a family-run business that expands throughout Whatcom and the Snohomish County area. They provide a full range of tree services, including tree removal, tree pruning, shrub and bush pruning, hedge trimming, stump grinding, crown reduction, crown raising, tree cabling, and more. All of our services are conducted by fully-trained tree experts or ISA certified arborists. Contact our office to schedule a tree service.

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Tree Removal or Pruning Before Winter Sets In Emphasized by Precision Tree Service in Recently Released Article

October 23, 2014 -

PHOTO BY FLAVIA POTENZA MESSENGER 2014

From left, Richard Brody, Carolyn Day, Joe Pileggi and Donald Day prepare to remove Ailanthus trees at the Community Club.

It was the first call to remove the trees manually following the TCC general meeting that discussed the use of herbicides to kill the invasive trees and where a committee was formed to find a non-toxic alternative.

Carolyn Day, creator of the childrens organic garden, agreed to head up the committee and showed up with her husband, Donald Day, checked in with groundskeeper Joe Pileggi and set to work with a small power saw and a generator. When Richard Brody showed up with his weed wrench, a mechanical weed puller, the job was already done.

It took just about an hour to remove 10 trees, some with multi-trunks, Donald said as they piled the branches for disposal. The TCC should buy a wood chipper and put the chips back on the hillside as mulch.

A number of larger trees grow inside the fenced property of the trailer. Its too big a job for us, said Carolyn. Well make an emergency request to the TCC Board to have them taken down professionally. After that we can place black tarps on the stumps to discourage photosynthesis.

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Ailanthus Tree Removal at TCC

Townhome development meets with opposition

NEW HOMESA computer image provides a peek at a proposed townhome development slated for Clay Court near Thousand Oaks Boulevard. The planning commission is expected to vote on the project Monday. Rendering courtesy of City Ventures A developer looking to construct 26 townhomes near Thousand Oaks Boulevard will have its second date with the Thousand Oaks Planning Commission on Monday.

Ventura-based City Ventures first attempt to get its Clay Court project approved was thwarted Oct. 13 after the commission deadlocked 2-2. Commissioner Daryl Reynolds, who was unable to attend the original hearing, is expected back Oct. 27, according to project planner Claudia Pedroso.

If it gets the go-ahead, City Ventures proposal will be the third housing complex approved for construction on or near the boulevard since the Thousand Oaks Boulevard Specific Plan was adopted in 2011. The plan, which allowed residential units to be built on the boulevard for the first time, covers an area between Duesenberg Drive and Moorpark Road.

At the Oct. 13 meeting, commissioners Doug Nickles and David Newman voted no, objecting to certain aspects of the proposal, including the removal of 20 oak trees, eight of which would be relocated on the property at 80 and 90 Clay Court.

Nickles criticized the projects excessive impact on oak trees and the planned exportation of 1,400 cubic yards of dirt during construction.

To say this is environmentally sensitive is a disgrace, he said.

The commissioner said that the developer should build around the trees.

I see (the project) taking advantage of the pockets that are there, Nickles said. You can transplant trees but you cant transplant the habitat. And when you go transplanting trees, youre transplanting them from their native soil into an urban, compacted soil that theyre not used to. Ive seen a lot of transplanted trees die. They survive, they rarely thrive.

Newman also expressed concern about moving trees.

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Oak tree removal called into question

Bayer Advanced 12 Month Tree & Shrub Insect Control Landscape Formula works systemically to protect your trees and shrubs from insects for up to 12 months. Effective against such pests as aphids, adelgids, japanese beetles, emerald ash borers, and leafminersBayer Advanced 12 Month Tree & Shrub Insect Control Landscape Formula will keep your trees and shrubs looking beautiful year round.

This formulation is twice as concentrated as the originalBayer Advanced 12 Month Tree & Shrub Insect Control Concentrate.

Can too much rain impact the efficacy of Bayer Advanced 12 Month Tree & Shrub Insect Control Landscape Formula?

No! After Bayer Advanced 12 Month Tree & Shrub Insect Control Landscape Formula is applied, too much rain will not reduce efficacy, and the systemic action cant be washed off.

Does the size of the tree make a difference?

Yes! The use rate is 0.5 ounce of the product per 1 inch of distance around the tree trunk (circumference).

How long does Bayer Advanced 12 Month Tree & Shrub Insect Control Landscape Formula work?

A single application of this product provides season-long systemic, 12 months of residual control of insect pests on trees and shrubs.

Can I apply Bayer Advanced 12 Month Tree & Shrub Insect Control Landscape Formula to my fruit trees?

Bayer Advanced 12 Month Tree & Shrub Insect Control Landscape Formula is registered and labeled for use around the following fruit and nut trees: apple, crabapple, loquat, mayhew, oriental pear, pear, pecan and quince.

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Bayer Advanced 12 Month Tree & Shrub Insect Control ...

Michael Patrick Higgins of Framingham, Marine Corps veteran, mason and business owner, died Oct. 3 in his home. He was 54.

Born in Chelsea, Mr. Higgins was raised in Natick. He graduated from Natick High School in 1977.

After graduation he joined the Marine Corps, as his father before him had done.

Mr. Higgins found work as a mason, specializing in tile and ceramics. In a brief time, his skill as a ceramic tile mason led to establishing his own successful business, Royal Tile.

He loved people, music, athletics, his work, and his family.

Mr. Higgins is survived by a son, Ethan Michael of Natick and Vermont; his mother, Pauline G. Atencio; two brothers, Scott L. of Hopedale and David S. of Framingham; three sisters, Victoria C. Lane of Oxford, Joanna Beavers of Worcester and Stacie N. Allen of Wayland.

A memorial visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. today at John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, Natick.

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Michael P. Higgins, at 54, of Framingham, mason

GEORGETOWN Work has begun to install a new storm sewer that will intercept rainwater from 300 acres west of Georgetown along Whittier Street and then allow it to run east past Seminary Street and into the Ellis Branch Creek.

Currently, the rainwater enters commingled stormwater and sanitary sewer lines, which can overload the sewers on the west side of the city and overwhelm the wastewater treatment plant.

Bob Kohlhase, an engineering manager with the Farnsworth Group's Peoria office, said he was "pleased at how things are coming together."

Some residents who live near the new sewer have expressed concern that a portion of the route from Whittier Street on its way east to the creek will be an open drainage ditch.

Kohlhase has said that there is an existing natural drainage way from Church to Main streets, and the contractors are utilizing it by cutting it down so that stormwater will run naturally to the east.

Kohlhase said he met with resident on Oct. 8 and feels that their concerns fall into four categories:

He acknowledged that portions of the regraded ditch are steep and said the city council may consider helping with mowing those areas.

He said the residents granted a permanent easement of 7.5 feet from the center of the ditch, but there is also a temporary easement that was granted for the grading of the ditch, which is wider than 15 feet across at some points.

Kohlhase said he was not able to answer questions about possible devaluation of the properties with the newly graded open sewer running along them, and referred those questions to local property assessors.

He said that safety concerns have been somewhat addressed by replacing damaged fencing along portions of the ditch, which is intended to keep children out of it.

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Storm sewer work underway in Georgetown

$319,900 3BR 2BA in MONROE 08831. Call Patricia Flaherty: (732) 254-6700x155
Ranch Type - Monroe, NJ *** Lovely Mill Lake Manor Ranch with Full Extension *** Roof is 6 or7 yrs. old, furnace 5 yrs. Brand New Electric Panel, sprinkler system, alarm system. Granite counters,...

By: DavisRealtorsNJ1

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$319,900 3BR 2BA in MONROE 08831. Call Patricia Flaherty: (732) 254-6700x155 - Video

A man in custody at the Indiana County Jail ripped a sprinkler head from the ceiling and tried to use it as a weapon Wednesday, authorities said.

Desmond Michael Johnson, 26, of Pittsburgh, facing drug and firearms charges, became angry and destroyed a fire suppression/sprinkler system, according to a news release from state police at Indiana.

When officers tried to subdue him, he was holding on to the sprinkler head, waving it around in an attempt to taunt and injure the correctional officers, police said.

A jail special operations team was called in to subdue the man and remove the sprinkler head.

No injuries occurred during the incident, but damage was estimated at $5,500, including clean-up costs from water damage, repair and testing of the sprinkler system and inspection of the plumbing system, police said.

Johnson was charged Wednesday with assault by a prisoner and institutional vandalism before Homer City District Judge Susanne Steffee, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for Nov. 3.

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Inmate accused of vandalizing Indiana County Jail plumbing system

ABILENE, Texas -

Are you worried about your lawn now that the City of Abilene is about to impose tougher watering restrictions? There are some things you can do to keep your lawn alive and still conserve water.

One idea to consider is xeriscaping. It is a type of landscaping that uses drought resistant plants that require little water or maintenance.

Another option to think about is expanding your current flower beds. You can add different types of textures and xeriscape plants to minimize yard space.

If you have a water sprinkler system, adjusting sprinkler times can help conserve water. As we enter stage two water restrictions, it is especially important to check your watering times to make sure you adhere to the schedule.

To help from wasting water, be sure to spot check your irrigation system for leaks, broken sprinkler heads, and lines.

According to Brian Holaman, owner of God's Lawn Care, if you want to save water even more, you can create specific timings on your sprinkler system to help get the maximum watering for your lawn and plants without creating wasted runoff to the curb.

Brian suggests timing when you see runoff occur on your lawn then adjust your sprinkler time to cutoff just before that happens, then restart the sprinkler system after about 20 minutes. This ensures adequate soaking time.

If redoing your landscape is not in your budget and you have a water sprinkler system, adjusting those times will help save money and water.

More here:
Tips to keep your lawn beautiful under Stage 2 water restrictions