Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

A new nonprofit organization aims to help low-income Carter County residents perform needed home improvements and upgrades that they would be otherwise unable to afford.

The Carter County Home Improvement Project, Inc., was recently formed to repair and improve substandard housing of county residents. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit group, which means that all donations to the group are tax deductible.

The organization plans to place a particular emphasis on wheelchair ramp installation, floor repair or replacement, repair of unsafe windows and doors, and gutter repair and replacement.

The board of directors for the organization consists of Jim Speaks, president, Chris Yates, vice president, Robert Caummisar, Secretary, Steve Kuhner, treasures, Pearl Crum, Jason Greer, Jackie Clevenger, and Ronnie Graves.

We would welcome new board members who could commit to regularly attending meetings, said Caummisar. More than anything, however, we would love to get together with skilled individuals who would be willing to volunteer services such as carpentry, roofing, window repair, and other valuable work.

The organization will follow federal poverty guidelines in determining eligibility for work. Individuals must be at or below poverty in order to qualify for help.

Its important to note that this is for property owners only. We cant work in tenant situations because we wouldnt be helping the tenant as much as we would be helping the landlord, said Caummisar.

Both the Grayson and Olive Hill branches of the Carter County Public Library have applications available for those who would like to be considered for assistance. The group also says it is in the process of developing an online presence, both on the web and in social media, so that applications can be taken online.

Joe Lewis is a freelance writer for The Journal-Times.

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Help with home improvements - Journal-Times

Chris Mooney and Juliet Eilperin The Washington Post

Environmental Protection Agency officials are proposing to eliminate two programs focused on limiting children's exposure to lead-based paint - which is known to cause damage to developing brains and nervous systems.

The proposed cuts, outlined in a 64 page budget memo revealed by The Washington Post on Friday, would roll back programs aimed at reducing lead risks by $16.61 million and more than 70 employees, in line with a broader project by the Trump administration to devolve responsibility for environmental and health protection to state and local governments.

Old housing stock is the biggest risk for lead exposure - and the EPA estimates that 38 million U.S. homes contain lead-based paint.

Environmental groups said the elimination of the two programs, which are focused on training workers in the safe removal of lead-based paint and public education about its risks, would make it harder for the EPA to address the environmental hazard.

One of the programs falling under the ax requires professional remodelers to undergo training in safe practices for stripping away old, lead-based paints from homes and other facilities.

The training program for remodelers was set up under a 2010 EPA regulation that aims to reduce exposure to toxic lead-paint chips and dust by requiring renovators to be certified in federally approved methods of containing and cleaning up work areas in homes constructed before 1978.

The rule applies to a broad range of renovations, including carpet removal and window replacement, in homes inhabited by pregnant women and young children.

Some operators in the home renovation industry have criticized the rule as too costly, noting that some customers simply opt to hire contractors who deliberately skirt the federal standards.

Lead is a potent neurotoxin, and particularly harmful to children and the elderly. Its many dangers in gasoline, paint, and drinking water have been scientifically documented over many decades, which has led to stronger regulatory protections.

In a 2014 report, the Centers for Disease Control found that 243,000 children had blood lead levels above the danger threshold - and that permanent neurological damage and behavior disorders had been associated at even lower levels of lead exposure.

"The most common risk factor is living in a housing unit built before 1978, the year when residential use of lead paint was banned in the United States," the CDC found.

EPA spokeswoman Julia Valentine said in an email that the two programs facing cuts are "mature," and that the goal of their elimination is to return "the responsibility for funding to state and local entities."

The Lead Risk Reduction Program, which would be cut by $2.56 million and 72.8 full-time equivalent employees, is charged with certifying renovators who work in buildings that may contain lead-based paint and upholding federal safety standards for such projects. Located in the agency's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, the lead risk reduction program also helps educate Americans about how to minimize their exposure to lead in their homes.

The second cut, a much deeper $ 14.05 million, would zero out grants to state and tribal programs that also address lead-based paint risks.

"The basis for the EPA reduction is that states can do this work, but then we're going to take away the money we're going to give to states," said Jim Jones, who headed the EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, which administers the lead-based paint program, in the Obama years. "I think it's just one of many examples in that budget of the circular thinking there that just doesn't hold together."

But the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, which represents some of the industry's biggest players, welcomed the plan to abolish the two programs. The association's chief executive, Fred Ulreich said in a statement that the group "has long supported moving" the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program "from EPA down to the individual states."

Fourteen states - Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin - currently run programs to train contractors how to properly handle renovations involving lead paint, according to the EPA's website. The rest rely on the federal government to provide training.

Ulreich said in his statement that his group "believes that the program can be better run and enforcement can be more vigorous the closer it is to the local contractors."

But Ulreich added that the group would object to states who seek to run a lead "abatement program." The group has successfully delayed a program in Maryland that goes further than the current federal requirements when it comes to lead paint removal.

Erik Olson, who directs the Natural Resources Defense Council's health program, said in an interview that the move leaves children in dozens of states unprotected.

"If the state doesn't have a program, which is true in most states, and if the EPA doesn't have a program, how are you going to have compliance with the lead rules?" Olson asked. "Basically, this is the guts of the program that protects kids from lead poisoning from paint."

State efforts to reduce lead risks have had mixed results. In 2004, New Jersey created the Lead Hazard Control Assistance Fund, which was supposed to provide loans and grants to homeowners and landlords to help them remove lead-based paint from aging housing stock. The program was supposed to be funded by sales tax revenue from cans of paint, which was expected to be $7 million to $14 million every year.

Instead, over the next dozen years the legislature and Democratic and Republican governors diverted more than $50 million from the fund toward payment of routine bills and salaries.

The EPA's Valentine said in an email that the agency is "working towards implementing the president's budget based on the framework provided by his blueprint" and "while many in Washington insist on greater spending, EPA is focused on greater value and real results."

"Administrator EPA in a more effective, more focused, less costly way as we partner with states to fulfill the agency's core mission," she added.

The cuts to the lead-paint programs would not directly affect EPA programs related to lead in drinking water, as in the case of Flint, Michigan. Those programs fall under the agency's Office of Water. But the EPA memo does propose reducing funding and staff for the agency's drinking water programs as well.

Changes to how the federal government addresses lead paint could affect hundreds of thousands of renovators, noted Remodeling magazine editor in chief Craig Webb.

The latest U.S. Census classified 78,000 firms as being in residential remodeling, with 278,921 employees. But since the 2010 rule also affects many siding, painting and wall covering contractors, as well as individual proprietors, the total number could be much higher.

The EPA announced in November 2016 that they had pursued more than 100 enforcement actions for lead-based paint hazards - much of those focused on the nation's largest companies.

In 2014, Lowe's home improvement chain agreed to pay $500,000 and create a compliance program across its 1,700 stores as part of a settlement agreement with the EPA.

Lowe's had "failed to provide documentation showing that the contractors it hires to perform renovation projects for Lowe's customers had been certified by EPA, had been properly trained, had used lead-safe work practices, or had correctly used EPA-approved lead test kits at renovation sites," the agency charged. (The company did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.)

Later, Sears reached a similar settlement with the agency. Sears also declined to comment for this story.

The National Association of Home Builders has objected to EPA's regulation, charging that it is "an inefficient tool for achieving the environmental and health goals of the underlying statute and rule."

On Tuesday, association spokeswoman Elizabeth Thompson said in an email, "At this point, it is premature to comment until something official has been announced."

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Trump's EPA moves to defund programs that protect children from lead-based paint - Norwich Bulletin

World Read Aloud Week celebration at Reynolds Elementary School in Upper Saddle River(Photo: Photo courtesy of Stefanie Slacin)

UPPER SADDLE RIVER Increased spendingforhealth benefits and special education are among the line items drivinga 2.15 percent tax hike in the school district's preliminary2017-2018 budget.

Under the proposed $24.2 million spending plan,employeebenefits spendingwill riseby about $500,000to $4.8 million, Business Administrator DanaImbascianisaid.

The costperpupilisalsoexpected to growto$18,156, an increase of $719 fromthecurrent schoolyear.

The K-8 district welcomed an additional 45 students this year, pushing the total student population to 1,236.A demographics study commissioned by the board projected the district will add144students over the next five years, due to housing construction in the borough.

The districthas alsobudgeted$330,000for its ongoingwindow replacement project at Reynolds Elementary andCavalliniMiddle School.

Upper Saddle River man suing over denied public-records request

Upper Saddle River BOE to present demographic study

If approved, the totalamount to be raised by taxesin the 2017-2018school yearwould be$21,798,681.The average homeowner with property assessed at $755,500wouldpay $7,628 in school taxes, up $117 fromthe 2016-2017 schoolyear, said Business Administrator DanaImbasciani.

Funding from state aid remained flat at $546,679 forthesecond year in a row.

The Board of Education will vote on adoption of the budget on May 1.

Email:nobile@northjersey.com

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Upper Saddle River BOE proposing 2.15 percent tax hike - NorthJersey.com

by Jon Wayne Service Company

Call for immediate service: (210) 293-6700

Many San Antonio home owners struggle with the dilemma of whether to repair or replace their current air conditioning system. Obviously, if the cost to get the unit back up and running is minor, then that may be a good option, but here are some factors you should consider before investing more repair dollars into your existing unit.

Heat pump or air conditioner is more than 10 years old. Consider replacing a HVAC unit that old with a high-efficiency model. Installed correctly, high-efficiency units can have a dramatic impact on your electric bill and actually pay for themselves over time.

Equipment needs frequent repairs. Frequent repairs are a sign that your old unit has reached the end of its life and is just worn out. Continuing to pay for more repairs is only prolonging the inevitable. The sooner you replace a unit in this condition, the sooner your energy bills will improve, which can end up paying for the new system and saving you money in the future.

Energy bills are very high. Your air conditioning system makes up as much as 60% of your utility bill each month. Older, inefficient systems use more electricity to deliver the same comfort level as current high-efficiency units do. It is not uncommon for our customers to report dramatic drops in their energy bills after we install their new system. Although each home is different, 50% reductions in utility bills (from the same time period during the previous year) have been reported.

Some rooms are too hot or too cold. These kinds of problems are usually the result of an improperly engineered system when the home was built or when the last unit was installed. A well trained technician can diagnose hot/cold spots in your house and determine if the problem is related to the unit's size (tons), inadequate insulation, improper duct work or some combination of these. You definitely want to have a Jon Wayne technicians perform a Complete Home Evaluation to make sure these problems are dealt with properly.

Home has humidity problems. Poor equipment operation, inadequate installation, improperly sized unit, and leaky ductwork can all cause the air in your home to be too dry in the winter and too humid in the summer. Again you will want a Jon Wayne technician to perform a Complete Home Evaluation to determine the cause and eliminate it completely.

Home has excessive dust. Leaky ducts can pull particles from your attic and crawl spaces and distribute them throughout your home. Sealing existing ducts or, if the duct work in your home is in poor condition, replacing your ductwork can be beneficial.

Heating and cooling system is noisy. Noisy units can be caused by a variety of factors including an undersized duct system or a problem with the indoor coil of your cooling equipment.

No two homes are exactly alike and as such, the only way to really know if repairing your HVAC system is the best option is to have a qualified Jon Wayne Comfort Advisor evaluate your home and explain to you their findings. In addition to a visual inspection of your equipment and attic space, we will also perform a Manual J Load calculation which uses information about your San Antonio area home (overall dimensions, window location, orientation to the sun, etc.) to determine the proper equipment needed to cool your home most efficiently. If serious issues exist (like rooms too hot or cold) we can perform a Blower Door Test which simulates pressure within your home and uncovers problems areas so they can be resolved.

Call for immediate service: (210) 293-6700 or click on jonwayneair.com

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Repair vs. Replace? - WOAI

Winter was over before Phoenix residents even had a chance to turn on their heaters. Springs has sprung which means the people of the Valley of the Sun have been enjoying near perfection in terms of weather. Conditions wont stay ideal for long. Soon summer will arrive, and temperatures will rocket above 100 degrees. Parker & Sons advises that the best time to have a new HVAC unit installed is BEFORE summer. Parker & Sons offers further advice on HVAC installation.

Homeowners should start by doing extensive research. There are many factors to consider when shopping for a new HVAC system. Older homes may have different heating and cooling needs than newer homes. It is important by buy the correct sized HVAC system. A system which is too small will be inadequate in terms of meeting heating and cooling. A system which is too large will be wasteful. HVAC installers can perform a load assessment on the home to determine what sized HVAC unit is required.

Energy efficiency is an important consideration. The efficiency of an air conditioner is measured by its SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). As technology improves the minimum required SEER rating rises. Currently, a SEER rating of 13 is the minimum.

Homeowners may have to make a decision balancing upfront cost and energy efficiency. The higher the SEER rating of the unit, the more expensive it is going to be. Many utility companies provide rebates to homes with an air conditioning unit rated about 14.5 SEER.

Finally, Parker & Sons advises homeowners to spend time shopping around and comparing offers. This is one of the primary reasons it is important to spend time shopping for an HVAC unit before summer. There wont be pressure for individuals to make a fast decision. The find a deal that is right for them AND their family.

Here at Parker & Sons, we will walk through the entire process of shipping for an HVAC unit, picking out the right one for you and your home, and installing it for you. We take a no pressure approach to this entire process. We know buying a new HVAC unit is a big commitment. WE just want to be there to help you out. We want this to be a relationship that lasts for years, not just through the sale of an HVAC unit, said Justine Kelly of Parker & Sons.

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Parker & Sons Offers Advice on Getting the Most out of HVAC Installation - MilTech

New York Times

Downtown Brooklyn's Dearth of Office Space Beckons Tishman Speyer New York Times Because of the cost and complexity of building in New York City, speculative office construction is relatively rare, and has a mixed record of success. The office tower 11 Times Square, for example, opened in 2011 with just one tenant and more than ...

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Downtown Brooklyn's Dearth of Office Space Beckons Tishman Speyer - New York Times

Marina Heights is one of the office finalists for the 2017 RED Awards. (Photo by Mike Mertes)

Ryan Companies and SunbeltHoldings, co-developers of Marina Heights, completed construction of theprojects fifth and final office building and have turned over occupancy toState Farm at the 20-acre development on Tempe Town Lake.

It was the teamwork of State Farm, Sunbelt, Ryan Companies,the city of Tempe, ASU and the unwavering support of the Tempe communitythatmade it happen, said John Graham, CEO of Sunbelt Holdings.

The State Farm Regional Hub, designed by DAVIS, is a LEEDSilver inspired design concept featuring five monolithic glass and stainlesssteeloffice towers, four highly interactive retail spaces, and a two-levelbelow grade parking garage.

A significant partnership with the City of Tempe andArizona State University was formed to expedite construction and meet thetenantsneeds for recent college graduates and customized programs, said JohnStrittmatter, chairman of Ryan Companies Southwest region. Weare extremelyproud to have achieved this terrific milestone safely and ahead of schedule.

The Marina Heights construction team reached over 3.8million safe hours without a time loss incident during the construction of thefivebuildings.

Each tower of Marina Heights was designed for unique tenantand visitor experiences:

Buildings 300, 400 and 450 were recently honored with theOffice Project of the Year RED (Real Estate and Development) Award, presentedby AZRE Magazine, and Best of NAIOPs Office Build To Suit project of the Year.

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Final Marina Heights building turned over to State Farm - AZ Big Media

As the dust from construction settles, Avalon quickly approaches the official opening of Boulevard East. on April 13.

On April 3, North American Properties President Mark Toro and Hines Real Estate Senior Managing Director John Heagy, directed a small tour to members of the media, giving an inside look at aspects of what increases the size of Avalon at least two-fold.

Phase two doubles the size of Avalon and then some, on one-third of the acreage, so it is a lot denser, said Toro, who noted the buildings are the tallest in Alpharetta.

According to Toro, the 10,000 building will actually be taller than the 8000 building.

8000 Avalon is the business center of the multi-faceted property, housing the new corporate headquarters and workspace for Microsoft.

According to John Heagy, Microsoft is anticipating relocating from Sanctuary Park, also in Alpharetta.

Heagy noted that Microsoft will occupy a 44,000 square foot space, including office and meeting space on one level and a beautiful training and education facility on another.

Heagy anticipated that the office building is 95 percent occupied once a couple leases, for companies he could not disclose, are finalized.

Avalons 8000 building will have its own parking deck providing free access for its retailers, key card access for hotel guests and office building tenants.

At the center of the retail expansion at Avalon is another technology giant, Apple, relocating from North Point Mall to Alpharettas city within a city.

According to Toro, Apple has been very quiet about the details of the inside of the state of the art new store.

Avalon will premiere Rumi's Kitchen (Persian cuisine), Brine Seafood Shack, Chick-fil-A, Barley Garden Kitchen & Craft Bar, Jeni's Ice Cream, MF Bar (Japanese cuisine) and District III (Vietnamese cuisine) to its restaurant roster.

New retail stores of Boulevard East include: Brooks Brothers, Urban Outfitters, Scout & Mollys, Levis, Williams Sonoma, Hammer Made, Boogaloos, Lucky Brand, Pottery Barn, South Moon Under and Boardroom Salon for Men.

A unique facet to the Levis store, according to Toro, will have the capability to measure and create custom jeans for customers.

A warehouse style storefront will be home to Sundance, a catalogue driven clothing and accessories concept founded by Robert Redford.

Catalogue and online retail are going brick and mortar. They already know their clientele is here [in Alpharetta], so they put a physical store in the markets where they have the most customers, said Toro.

Toro also noted that the stores opening in Boulevard East are new to Atlanta.

One of the new restaurants opening in phase two is Brine Seafood Shack, the first venture in seafood for Marc Taft, owner of Chicken & Egg in Marietta.

In addition to its casual dining concept with lobster rolls, clams, oysters and steamers, Toro highlighted the inclusion of a walk-up window at Brine.

We [at Avalon] have an open container policy, youll see many of our restaurants have walk-up windows, which Brine will participate in with their line of craft beers, said Toro.

An additional pedestrian element is what Toro referred to as a paseo, or a public walk or boulevard on the north and south side of Boulevard East.

The covered paseos will connect the office and retail spaces.

A surprise reveal from Toro is the opening of the number one requested coffee operator by Avalon guests, Starbucks, scheduled to open in January 2018, alongside The Hotel and Conference Center at Avalon.

All of our tenants are interested in what is going to happen with the Hotel. Companies are finding ways to incorporate those type of hospitality features into their sales process, so having this hotel within walking distance is right up their alley, said Heagy, referring to the amenities and features available at Avalon.

Heagy also mentioned the importance of the relation between office building and streetscape. With the paseo connecting the business and retail side, it gives the office customers a direct link to what will keep them here long term.

There is still a lobby off the paseo strictly for office tenants.

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When we first started Avalon, we always had a vision for a Class A office building to serve the corporate needs for Alpharetta, said Toro, describing Hines and Cousins as AA players in the business.

Toro noted that the coordination between all three companies constructing separate buildings, the streetscapes and all the places they interface has been phenomenal.

Just to come out here and see things happen the way they are supposed to has been fantastic, he said.

The concern of parking has been addressed, with a 550 space capacity deck for the hotel, which contributes to the total anticipated number of phase two parking to 3,300 spaces, increases Avalons total parking to 5,300 spaces.

What we have an opportunity to do here is reverse that or at least stem the tide of job loss in North Fulton by providing an urban experience in a suburban setting. If these employers have their employee base in North Fulton, they have a better chance of retaining them, said Toro.

An additional element of retention is creating an experience seamless to the user.

All entities encompassing Avalon: residential community, office building, hotel, retail at street level, contribute to the Avalon Experience Fee to accomplish this.

All contribute to fund that assures that when Tawny has a resident with a need, requirement or whim, we can do it. If you park your car at the hotel and end up at Oak for dinner, your car will arrive at Oak. The idea is to create a seamless experience and maintaining integrity of the Avalon brand, said Toro.

Everywhere you look there are subtle and consistent elements representing the Avalon brand and logo, he said.

Veranda at Avalon, the new residential element featuring high-end apartments, follows suite.

Available floor plans include varying models of one and two bedroom layouts, ranging in price from $1,800 to $5,000 per month.

More information about the new residential space at Avalon is available at http://www.verandaatavalon.com.

Phase two of Avalon will officially open on April 13 with a ribbon cutting ceremony in the morning, followed by a day full of festivities, all open to the public.

Avalons website, http://www.experienceavalon.com contains additional information.

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Avalon opens new phase 'Boulevard East' for advanced preview of hotel and office space - MDJOnline.com

Leyden School District 212 officials have begun taking the first steps in what has been termed the largest construction and renovation project in the history of the district, with major additions planned for both East and West Leyden high schools.

Officials are tackling an estimated $55 million project at East Leyden, at 3400 Rose St., in Franklin Park; and a roughly $25 million project at West Leyden, 1000 N. Wolf Road, Northlake; with the goal of "enhancing students educational experience," Supt. Nick Polyak said, announcing the project.

"East Leyden High School is 90 years old, and West Leyden High is 60 years old," Polyak said. "Both buildings were designed for a different era of education, and certain aspects of each building don't meet the current needs of our students.

"The focus of these projects is to enhance the educational experience for our students," he said. "Various aspects of these projects are meant to improve safety and security, promote academic opportunities, increase athletic and extracurricular programming and make our schools sustainable into the future."

The work is to be done without the need for a tax referendum, Polyak pointed out. Working with the district's financial partners, District Business Manager Thomas Janeteas suggested use of a debt certificate as a financing tool that would allow officials to spread the project cost over 20 years, with payments made annually out of the district's operating budget/capital improvement fund.

At East Leyden, an addition will be built on the current site of Dodge Field, Polyak said. The work is to include new classrooms and practice rooms for band and choir, a new cafeteria/commons, an enclosed inner courtyard, a preschool and day care facility, and a new aquatic center, he said.

Renovated spaces at East Leyden will include a new wrestling room, girls locker room, additional classrooms and a maintenance area, he said..

At West Leyden, an addition is to be built inside a portion of the inner courtyard, he said. The first floor will be a cafeteria/commons addition and a kitchen renovation, Polyak said. The second floor addition will be a new library and media center, he said.

Renovated spaces will include new classrooms, as well as reorganized office spaces, student support areas and more, the superintendent said.

He said the additions will result in new cafeterias and common large areas "that all of our students will use every day."

"So that it's not only a new modern space for them," Polyak said in a phone interview, "but it's also going to allow us to go down from five or six lunch hours a day down to three, which is going to have curricular benefits for our students."

For the community, "one really noticeable piece will be a new aquatic center," he said.

Currently, Leyden has a swim team and a pool at each campus but the pools are only five lanes wide and situated underground at both campuses, he said. A legitimate aquatic center will allow the swim teams to bring activities such as water polo and diving into their program, he said.

Construction is to get underway in May at West Leyden, while work at East Leyden is expected to begin next year, probably around December or January, Polyak said.

The East Leyden work, though constituting a larger footprint and larger dollar amount, is expected to have a less disruptive effect because it will be largely taking place behind the building, Polyak said. Work is to be completed by the beginning of the 2019-20 school year.

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Big plans: District 212 set for renovation project at East and West Leyden - Chicago Tribune

Investors Bank donates $100,000 toward construction of a Community Activities Building at Bloomfield's Foley Field.(Photo: Courtesy of Foley Field Foundation)

The Bloomfield Board of Education has accepted $100,000 toward the construction of a Community Activities Building at Foley Field.

The Foley Field Foundation received the donation from Investors Bank, according to foundation President Mike Napolitano. That investment covers half the costs, with the rest of the funding and material contributions well on their way, he said.

The $200,000 project is the latest in the high school fields transformation.

Phase 1 saw the demolition of the dilapidated grandstands, followed by additions of an artificial turf field, upgraded lighting and an eight-lane track. Phase 2 involved a Green Acres grant that matched referendum funding. That helped install new grandstands and a press box.

Contributions have also paid for two ticket booths, secure storage for the track and field program, a public address system, scoreboard, trainer cart and commemorative flag park.

PHOTOS:Bloomfield students have a blast a concert

ESSEX COUNTY:Schools' state aid holds steady

Phase 3 brings the Community Activities Building, which Fallon Pacheco Architects designed pro bono, Napolitano said.

The two stories cover 1,875 square feet each. The first floor consists of concessions, restrooms and storage. The second floor, with a kitchenette and seating, accommodates more than 80 people.

The latter was designed with boosters in mind, noted Napolitano. The "Events and Meeting" floor couldserve league or team banquets. It also can be a celebratory space for annual events such as the marching band festival, the Sunset Classic and the township fireworks spectacular, for example, he added.

A small crows nest, overlooking the field, can treat second-floor guests, or a camera to supplement press-box coverage, he said.

In addition to the Investors Banks donation, Phase 3 funding includes $25,000 from Brookdale ShopRite, $25,000 from Bloomfield native Bob Pascal, and $5,000 from Joseph Poniatowski. Another $25,000 sponsor is expected to be named soon, said Napolitano, and the foundation is seeking sponsorship for the buildings ADA-compliant lift.

The recent agreement to remove a PSE&G utility pole, in the middle of the structures footprint, will allow groundbreaking in late spring, Napolitano said. That could spell an opening in time for the Bloomfield High School's football season, he said.

Also, during the recent meeting, the Bloomfield Board of Education applauded Carteret Elementary Schools Chrome Caf and Watsessing Elementary Schools STEAM programs.

Carterets Chrome Caf is a makeover of the schools media center.

Watssessing Elementary School students position their violins prior to a performance on March 28, 2017, for the Bloomfield Board of Education.(Photo: Owen Proctor/NorthJersey.com)

While a traditional library is a place of independent study, weve transformed it into a center of active learning, Principal John Baltz told the board.

Watsessing faculty, meanwhile, walked through the school's achievements in mathematics, science, technology, engineering, and the performing arts.

The presentation included a performance of 30 student violinists, representing half of those involved in the program. Five numbers included Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Hot Cross Buns and Mary Had a Little Lamb.

Im very proud of these kids, fourth-grade teacher Monika Martin said. Theyve only had an instrument in their hands about six months.

Email: proctor@northjersey.com

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Bloomfield officials applaud field and fiddles - NorthJersey.com