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After the April 4 municipal election, a new district board at Aptakisic-Tripp School District 102 will be responsible for carrying out and guiding a mutli-million dollar expansion project at the Buffalo Grove-based school district to completion.

District officials have said they plan to spend as much as $25 million on building additions to keep pace with anticipated enrollment increases coming from areas around Buffalo Grove and Lincolnshire, but they don't plan to ask for a tax increase to cover the work.

The project, along with other issues facing a district that serves 2,225 students in kindergarten through the eighth grade, has attracted four candidates, including three incumbents, who are running for three seats on the District 102 board during the upcoming local election.

The District 102 portion of the ballot also will include Laura Golden. But district officials said Golden recently dropped out of the race after filling an election petition in December.

She never returned requests for comment.

All three incumbents on the board also are seeking new terms in this election. Jeremy Galfield, who was first elected in 2013, Scott Lin, who also won a seat in 2013, and Pelleg Graupe, who has served two consecutive terms, all are running for re-election this year.

The four candidates each gave different answers when asked why they wanted to be part of the District 102 board.

A native of southeast Kansas, Suzann Audi, a Prairie View resident who is the only non-incumbent vying for a seat on the District 102 board, has three children who attend Pritchett Elementary in the district

If elected to the District 102 board, she said, she would work on finding a balance between students' use of electronic devices and the more traditional ways of learning in the classroom.

"I want kids to learn how to use it effectively and how to survive without it," Audi said. "I'm not looking to join because I see a problem. I just want to work with them and help in any way I can."

Graupe said he has focused his attention lately on proposed building additions to Aptakisic Junior High along with the other list of proposed renovation projects at other school buildings in District 102.

If the plans for a large subdivision on the nearby Didier Farms property comes to fruition, each grade level in District 102 likely will see an influx of new students, he said.

If re-elected to the board, he would work to balance the expense on taxpayers for the upcoming building additions at the district with need to develop additional space for students, he said.

"It's a huge project that the district hasn't been through in a while," he said. "Every student needs to see a tangible benefit."

Calling public education a key building block for children, Lin said he wants another term simply because he wants more time to make contributions to a district not only undergoing building changes, but also changes to its demographics.

District officials have seen increases in recent years to the number of Asian and Hispanic students enrolled at District 102.

The district includes an Asian population that totals 37 percent of the student body and a Hispanic population that totals 7 percent, according to district figures.

"The district has been embracing this diversity change quite advantageously, and I want to make sure the district continues to do that," Lin said. "I want to make sure the board continues to meet its challenges."

Galfield said he wanted a second term because of the past accomplishments he and other board members achieved during his initial term.

The work included a new contract with the teachers' union, a transition to full-day kindergarten and the addition of new Superintendent Lori Wilcox, he said.

Going forward, he said, a major priority for him would be ensuring that the curriculum at District 102 adequately prepares students for life at Stevenson High School, the highly regarded high school in Lincolnshire known for its academic rigor.

"What we're doing right now is the important work," he said. "What we're teaching right now is Stevenson-ready."

rwachter@pioneerlocal.com

Twitter @RonnieAtPioneer

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Contested race for spots on Aptakisic-Tripp School District 102 board - Chicago Tribune

The story of how Eddy Martinez opened Beijing Bistro in Buda starts in Manor.

The landlord of a new commercial center in Buda at FM 967 and FM 1626 came in to Martinezs Manor restaurant in 2015 and ordered lunch. That day, he offered Martinez a spot at his new development.

I guess he liked it, Martinez said.

Martinez, who co-owns the bistro along with Marino Alvarado, opened the Buda restaurant in mid-2015. He said the restaurant has gained popularity with customers because it takes classic American Chinese food recipes and tweaks the recipes slightly.

Sesame chicken ($8.95) is the most popular item on the restaurants menu, co-owner Eddy Martinez said. BRETT THORNE

Its almost the same like everyone else, but we try to change our recipes with little touches, he said. I think the customers like it.

Martinez and Alvarado have been working in restaurants together since 1995 and in that time have formed a close bond, Martinez said. The pair worked together at Chinese food restaurants throughout Austin in the late 90s and early 2000s. When Martinez decided he wanted to open a restaurant of his own, Alvarado joined him.

The restaurants most popular menu item is the sesame chicken entree ($8.95), Martinez said. The dish is made with dark meat and served with a side of rice. Orange chicken ($8.95), another top seller, is also served with rice.

In late 2016, the restaurant added beer and wine to its menu. Beijing Bistro now offers a variety of American and Chinese beers as well as sake.

The Buddhas Feast ($7.50) includes sauteed mixed vegetables. BRETT THORNE

More than a year after opening the Buda location, Martinez said he feels like he is ready to begin thinking about other additions to the restaurants menu.

Martinez said he also has a longer-term plan to begin serving sushi at the restaurant. Right now, he is waiting to hire the right sushi chef, he said.

Looking ahead, Martinez said he hopes to add new appetizers to his menu. Dumplings, lettuce wraps and Japanese ice cream may be added in the near future, he said.

Beijing Bistro

3420B FM 967, Ste. B-110, Buda 512-523-8030 Hours: Mon.-Thu. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sat. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun. 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

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Beijing Bistro restaurateur chooses Buda for second location - Community Impact Newspaper

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The Amazing Spider-Man #25 is a massively oversized issue with a cover price to match. To be fair, it's not every day a Marvel book makes it to 25 issues without being relaunched first. Marvel might as well celebrate the occasion. The good news is that issue #25 helps cleanse the palette after the largely underwhelming Clone Conspiracy crossover. The bad news is that too much of the supplemental content in this issue reads like pointless fluff. A leaner issue with a more modest cover price would have been preferable.

The main story in this issue kicks off the next major phase of Dan Slott's ongoing Spidey saga. Following the disastrous alliance between Parker Industries and New U, Peter is in desperate need of a victory. He hopes to earn that victory by following Kingpin's lead and bringing Norman Osborn to justice. But he's not counting on the fact that a Norman Osborn without the Oz formula bogging down his mind is more dangerous and crafty than ever.

It's interesting to note the parallels between this story and the first issue of the series. Both showcase Spidey teaming up with Mockingbird and S.H.I.E.L.D. and gallivanting around an international setting. The key difference being the darker tone. In issue #1, Peter was on top of the world in his new role as a CEO and S.H.I.E.L.D. supplier. Now, the dreaded Parker Luck has taken its toll, leaving Parker Industries in shambles and Peter himself dealing with a mountain of emotional strain. There's plenty of doom and gloom driving this conflict forward, though Slott does take the time to break it up with some Aunt May and Harry Osborn-fueled levity. May has been absent from the series far too long, so it's nice having her back in the mix.

At 40 pages, the main story is definitely meaty, if not always particularly well paced. There's a distinct lull in the plot following the battle in Colombia, and the script never quite gains its momentum afterwards. There's also a disappointing lack of Norman Osborn himself, but that promises to change quickly enough. And having 40 pages of Stuart Immonen-drawn Spider-Man art is nothing to sneeze at, regardless of plot or pacing. No one can render a detailed, dynamic Spidey quite like Immonen, but his storytelling is impeccable whether Peter is in costume or out. Wade von Grawbadger's inks give Immonen's line-work an extra degree of precision, while Marte Gracia's colors further enhance the grim and foreboding tone of the story.

The individual reader's mileage will certainly vary when it comes to the various backup stories, but few truly stand out. Christos Gage and Todd Nauck deliver a new Clash-focused story that fails to do anything new or compelling with the character in the wake of Civil War II. Hannah Blumenreich's tale of a young Peter Parker is fine, but not quite as poignant as it could be given the subject matter. James Asmus and Tana Ford's Shanghai-focused story accomplishes little beyond reiterating the fact that Parker Industries is in poor shape. And the Marvel Tsum Tsum story simply rehashes a gag that already ran its course after the first Tsum Tsum mini-series.

There are really only two highlights among the backup features. The first is Scott Atkinson's hilarious series of "The A-May-zing Spider-Aunt" strips. The second is a top-secret story from Slott and Giuseppe Camuncoli, one that teases some big things to come after "The Osborn Identity" wraps up. The nice thing about Slott's long, long run is that there's always something new and exciting brewing on the horizon.

The Amazing Spider-Man [2017] #25

HUGE BLOWOUT ISSUE! STUART IMMONEN (STAR WARS, AVENGERS) takes the artist reins of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN and joins Dan Slott for a 40-page main story!

The Verdict

This new issue of Amazing Spider-Man has a lot going for it. The main story, if a bit awkwardly paced, delivers some big twists, a dark tone and plenty of gorgeous art from Stuart Immonen. Unfortunately, this issue struggles to justify the hefty cover price. Too many of the backup stories read like pointless filler rather than meaningful additions to Peter Parker's increasingly chaotic world.

Editors' Choice

Good

The Amazing Spider-man is full of gorgeous art and great plot twists, but there's too much filler here.

15 Mar 2017

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The Amazing Spider-Man #25 Review - IGN

NEW ORLEANS -- Anthony Davis called it one of the five best alley-oops in his career.

According to DeMarcus Cousins, it was all about the pass.

"I put it right on the money for A," Cousins said with a big smile underneath a hood and circular sunglasses. "And he did the easy part: He finished it."

Either way, Davis' 180-degree finish of Cousins' lob from the top of the key early in the third quarter was a triumphant moment for the much-parsed new pairing of the elite NBA big men, one Cousins underlined by raising his arms above his head, Maximus Decimus Meridus-style, as he backpedaled the other way.

"He threw it a little short so I had to go get it," Davis said.

"Woah, woah, woah, woah, woah," Cousins interjected from one locker over.

"Nah, he actually threw a good pass," Davis conceded. "When I caught it, my intention was to dunk it backward, but I can't remember who it was, but he was going to tip it. And then I caught it and, I don't know, it just happened."

That combination of ease and surprise could easily extend to the entirety of the New Orleans Pelicans' 100-77 rout of the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Blazers came into the game winners of five of their previous six, looking very much like the biggest threat to Denver Nuggets in the race for the Western Conference's eighth and final playoff spot. The Pelicans emerged from Saturday's overtime matchup in Charlotte with their third win since the All-Star break, but it was clouded by the late-game benching of their second star big man.

Their fourth win since the break, and first consecutive victories, was more decisive. The Pelicans finished with a season-low five turnovers, allowed a season-low 77 points and a season-low 30.3 percent from the floor and earned another big mark in the positive side of the ledger for their 25-game evaluation of their new big-to-big connection.

"It's -- excuse my French -- it's a b---- for bigs," Cousins said. "You think you get a break when one guy goes out and another one is coming in. Or you've got to pick your poison with both of us."

The Pelicans didn't have much of a choice in the second quarter, when a rolled left ankle led Davis to check out with 5:46 left in the first half, conceding the floor to Cousins.

In the eight prior games in which Cousins has suited up for New Orleans, the Pelicans had thrived with Davis and not Cousins on the court but struggled when Cousins played without Davis. The Pelicans had a 114.4 offensive rating and a plus-8.3 net rating with Davis but no Cousins, but an 87.6 offensive rating and a minus-16.2 net rating with Cousins but no Davis, according to NBA.com/Stats.

Cousins responded in Davis' immediate absence, scoring six points on three shots, earning a trip to the free-throw line and recording a steal in less than four minutes of work. A five-point lead when Davis checked out ultimately became a 14-point advantage before Davis could return to start the third quarter. Overall, Cousins was plus-17 on the night, with the Pelicans sporting a 110.4 offensive rating and a plus-27.4 net rating with him on the floor.

"I was watching the game," Davis said. "Everyone was playing well, and we're going to need this if we want to continue to make this push."

Indeed, unlike in games past, the "other" Pelicans not only held their own but proved to be a source of strength. While Cousins and Davis again did much of the heavy lifting, combining for 37 points and 24 rebounds in less than 31 minutes apiece, the non-Boogie/Brow Pelicans shot 56 percent from the floor.

While Jrue Holiday (10 points on 4-for-6 shooting, two assists, three steals, two turnovers) again appeared to struggle to find a groove in a less-prominent offensive role, he and Solomon Hill continued to serve as the backbone of a defense that has maintained its elite look despite the addition of Cousins and a rotating cast of 10-day additions.

"We have the same system," Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said. "[Associate coach Darren Erman] has done a great job of working overtime with those guys. When we get new guys on our team, we spend time with them in a team situation but we also try to break it down individually. He does a great job of walking them through what we try to do as far as weak-side rotations, pull-ins and things like that, and the guys have really caught on."

Check out the team site for more game coverage

Check out the team site for more game coverage

Damian Lillard (29 points) and CJ McCollum (eight points) combined to shoot 40 percent from the floor, and the rest of the Blazers combined shot just 24 percent.

"I've just kind of been taking it personal," Hill said. "I respect whoever's on the other end of the court, but it's almost like that can change the game. CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard can put up 65 together easily. We take one of the heads of the snake away and it can change the game."

The Golden State Warriors, led by Draymond Green, overcame a 16-point deficit to beat the Philadelphia 76ers Tuesday.

Warriors surge late, snap losing streak Pelicans realize powers in rout Cavs hot shooting leads to blowout win

On the other end, the Pelicans' star duo teemed with excitement over the possibilities that lie ahead.

Cousins said he and Davis have talked often lately, including about utilizing more big-to-big pick-and-rolls similar to the ones deployed by Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.

"It's hard to stop," Cousins said about the Clippers' screen-roll combo. "If me and A get involved in that, it could be something special as well."

Much like those eagerly tracking their game-to-game progression, Cousins couldn't help think a bit broader, too.

"I guess you can say it's something that hasn't really been seen," he said. "And if it has been seen, it's been a while since it's been seen. It's different, but it can become something special. It's just going to take time."

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Pelicans realize powers of new-look team in rout of Trail Blazers - ESPN (blog)

(MENAFN Editorial) Sims Exteriors and Remodeling, Cottage Grove, has been named the exclusive provider of the Lindsay Pinnacle high performance replacement window line in Madison and south central Wisconsin.

The Pinnacle window is a premium vinyl window manufactured by Lindsay Window and Door, LLC, a 60-year-old family owned American business with manufacturing facilities in the Midwest.

Lindsays High-performance vinyl windows are designed and manufactured to provide a long service life. Quality features include: Made In the USA A Lifetime, Non Prorated, Transferable Warranty The Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval Meet or exceed all Energy Star Requirements Feature Cardinal Glass Manufactured in Spring Green, Wisconsin. "Customers Deserve Quality Like This"

We value our customers a great deal and are always looking for the best solutions for their homes, says owner JW Sims. What excites us about Lindsay replacement windows is they are as well made as, or made better than all windows you will find on the market. This means long life, lifetime warranty and most important, fewer hassles. Our staff unanimously agrees, our customers deserve quality windows like the Lindsay line.

Benefits of Pinnacle Windows

Every feature of the Sims Pinnacle [replacement windows](http://www.simsexteriorsandremodeling.com/pinnacle-replacement-windows/) provides a specific benefit for the homeowner. Theres peace of mind from the lifetime warranty, Good Housekeeping Seal and being made in the USA, plus performance features adding to ease of use and an overall satisfaction. They include: Self-cleaning attributes with NEAT366 glass Year-round comfort and energy savings with LowE glass for solar management Easy to maintain (with double hung styles both sashes tilt in for cleaning) Exceptional window efficiency with the TruWARM Super Spacer reducing moisture, frost & and mold For more information about the Sims Pinnacle vinyl replacement window line, contact JW Sims at http://www.simsexteriorsandremodeling.com 608-825-4500.

To learn more about the overall Sims Exteriors and Remodeling experience, visit their website [http://www.simsexteriorsandremodeling.com/online-r...](http://www.simsexteriorsandremodeling.com/online-reviews)

MENAFN1503201700703206ID1095315830

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Sims Exteriors Named Exclusive Provider of Pinnacle Replacement Windows - MENAFN.COM

An estimated $2.8 million in facility improvements that will include more secure entryways for schools in Bement took another step forward last week. School board members voted on March 8 to pay $425,000 up front to energy consultant Opterra Energy in order to proceed with the project, which school officials hope can be completed this summer.

As part of the districts required once-per-decade health life safety survey, the work will also include window replacement at the elementary school, roof work at the middle school, a fire alarm system overhaul, and other projects aimed at promoting energy savings.

Well seal up the building envelope, not just the windows. It makes it a lot more comfortable and it is more energy efficient, said Opterra spokesman Sharon Uslan.

Last month, the board applied for no- to low-interest Qualified Zone Academy Bonds to help fund the project. Health Life Safety bonds can be issued to fund the remainder, and since there are working cash bonds being paid off this year, the new borrowing can be done without tax rate implications.

District Superintendent Sheila Greenwood said it added up to an opportunity the district could not pass up.

Were pretty excited were going to have $2.8 million for improvements and make our buildings safer and more efficient without a tax increase, Greenwood told the board.

When the work is completed, those coming in through the high school and elementary main entrances will come into a vestibule, then be buzzed into the office to sign in before being allowed access to other parts of the building. There are already buzzers at two entrances, but they do not lead directly into school offices.

At the elementary office, the vestibule will also expand the office space by eight feet and provide more privacy for the school nurse.

At the high school, a door will need to be added to that office to accommodate the secure entry, which will be at the main entrance. Currently those needing entrance during school hours are buzzed in through doors closer to the gymnasium.

Board member Janice Fogerson asked Uslan which pieces of the project were the top priorities.

Uslan basically said its a pretty level playing field.

Theyre all pretty high priority. Theyre all health life safety, so the items are beyond their useful life, she said. So its just stuff that has to get done.

Greenwood emphasized the need for beefing up security, something that has become more apparent in the past decade.

Its sad that you have to be buzzed in, said Greenwood of the security measure the school installed four years ago. But people dont realize you have orders of protection, you have registered sex offenders, things you didnt have as much 10 years ago, so we have to do everything to protect your kids.

Uslan added that half of her past 10 projects have included energy-efficient, secure vestibules, because school districts are seeing this as such a high priority.

Board members also approved a resolution to begin the process of filing health life safety paperwork with the Illinois State Board of Education, which will need approval in order for the summer work to commence.

In other action, the board:

approved a reduction in force for kindergarten teacher Sarah Snyder. Greenwood said the district is unsure whether two instructors for that grade level will be needed next fall. This years number was 26 split between two classrooms, and estimates for 2017-18 enrollment will be more firm after kindergarten registration is held later this month;

accepted the resignation of middle school science teacher Patty Miller;

heard from middle/ high school principal Doug Kepley that participation is up for baseball, softball and boys track. Girls track numbers are down slightly from 2016; and

was told eighth grade promotion exercises will be May 25, with high school graduation May 26.

was informed the gym roof has developed leaks that may be a result of hail damage, which means insurance could cover repairs. Vertical supports in the gym have also been secured as a safety measure.

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Summer building work planned for Bement schools - Piatt County Journal-Republican

Maurice Alarie likes to crunch numbers.

The retired Quispamsis engineer keeps all his bills and tracks expenses on a spreadsheet.

He knows, for instance, that over the past 10 years he's paid an average 11 cents per kilowatt hour for electric heat for his 4000-square-foot ranch home near Meenans Cove.

His house is well-insulated and partially heated with a wood stove in the basement.

When Alarie decided to look into installing a pair of mini-split heat pumps he asked suppliers for both an estimate and a cost-benefit breakdown.

No one, he said, was willing to go that far.

His own calculations, however, showed installation of a heat pump made no sense, he said.

"At 11 cents a kilowatt hour your payback calculations aren't very favourable tobuying these heat pumps," said Alarie.

"Are you better off just turning up your thermostat and using an extra 50 bucks worth of electricity every month through the heating months?"

Although NB Power ended its stand-alone rebate at the beginning of October last year, it offers a $500 subsidy for a heat pump installed in combination with a major insulation upgrade.

Alarie saidhis current annual heating cost from electricity is $630.

He estimated the heat pumps would reduce his bill by a little over one-thirdthat amount if he didn't factor in the cost to pay for the units and their installation.

"Twenty bucks a month, $240 a year, unit's going to cost over $3,000 for one unit. I can't justify the payback. It's getting into 10 years for one, 20 years if I get two, if they don't break down."

Heather Shuve says she is saving $100 a month after factoring in the rental of her year-old heat pump from Saint John Energy. (CBC)

Alarie says there's no question a heat pump is more efficient. It is the cost of the system he is questioning.

He does not believe NB Power should be offering subsidies for heat-pump conversions, and suggests homeowners direct their moneytoward added insulation or replacing leaky windows and doors.

Heather Shuve says she's certain she made the right decision when she installed a mini-split heat pump in her west Saint John home last year.

Saint John Energy rents mini-split heat pumps to homeowners both inside and outside the city for $48.99 a month.

Shuve blames her cathedral ceilings for what had been frightening monthly bills.

"Heating could run between seven and eight hundred dollars a month through the winter so quite expensive," said Shuve, who estimates she has reduced energy costs by $1,800 over the past year.

"Since it's been installed I have easily saved $100 a month. And that's after I've paid the $50 per month rental fee."

JenniferCoughlan, Saint John Energy's supervisor for consumer products and business development, said cost savings depend on several factors, including insulation levels, hours that people are home, preferred level for heating and cooling and the number of occupants in the house.

"Internet research on various sites indicates that mini-split ductless heat pumps use 1 kW to heat, compared with 3 kW to heat with electric baseboard," Coughlan said.

"Thus if you are heating a similar area with a mini-split heat pump as opposed to a baseboard, you should be using less kWs."

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Is a heat pump the best option? Maybe not, says engineer - CBC.ca

(MENAFN Editorial) Toledo, Ohio-based Action Heating, Air conditioning and Electrical, a certified Better Business Bureau company, who specialize in the supply, installation and servicing of HVAC systems have launched a quality service awareness campaign. Concerned by the number of reports of HVAC contractors not delivering a quality service or systems, Action decided to live up to their name and get proactive.

More information is available at http://thiscompanyrocks.net/hvac.

Wanting to raise customer awareness of reputable HVAC services, Action hopes customers will avoid buying the wrong system or a new system when all they needed was a part. Launching their campaign in March, Action, who deliver Toledo air conditioning repairs and offer 24-hour furnace repair Toledo Ohio feel more people need to get a second opinion before agreeing to buy or repair a HVAC system.

According to reports, thousands of people, every year, buy a new HVAC system after a breakdown because a contractor has told them they need one. However, a simple part would have been enough to get the system running, which would have been far more cost-effective for the customer than purchasing a whole system. Other HVAC buyers were sold systems that are too big for the property. In both instances, the contracto is seeking to make larger sales from a customer that is not aware of the situation.

Therefore, by raising customer awareness of these activities, Action feel they can prevent people from paying too much. Action also believes that when needing an HVAC serviced it's important to ensure that the company is genuine. Many reports indicate that some HVAC contractors are not replacing parts, but are charging for them or that they are saying that they are from a reputable company when they are not.

Action provides quality heating and cooling parts and is one of the most reputable Toledo HVAC companies in Ohio. With years of experience and winning personalities, Action is dedicated to delivering exceptional service and HVAC solutions that improve the quality of living.

Mike and Terry Williams, the owners of Action said, We've delivered an honest and dependable HVAC service around Toledo for 50-years, and we feel that all homeowners should receive great service, timely repairs and prompt installation by certified technicians. These technicians should be trained and experienced at handling all HVAC and electrical needs.

To find out more about Action call 419-472-9223 or click on the link above.

MENAFN1503201700703206ID1095315913

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Toledo Heating Air conditioning & Electrical Firm Launch HVAC Awareness Campaign - MENAFN.COM

The Chocura building, left, and Winnisquam buildings are a couple of the dorms to be torn down to make way for new, larger buildings at Southern New Hampshire University.(THOMAS ROY/UNION LEADER)

MANCHESTER Southern New Hampshire University plans to tear down two 1970s-era dormitories and replace them with a five-story building, according to plans filed recently at Manchester city hall.

Last week, the Manchester Zoning Board of Adjustment granted variances necessary for the project to move forward. SNHU hopes to begin construction in May and have the new dormitory open in August 2018.

This is part of our overall reinvestment and improvements to the Manchester-Hooksett campus, wrote Libby May, a spokesman for the university, in an email.

SNHU is in the middle of a $100 million building spree, most of it on the east side of campus, where an athletic complex, dormitory and office building are under construction.

May said SNHU is now turning its attention to the western side of campus and replacing wooden-style dormitories that were built in the 1970s. The first two slated for demolition are the Winnequam and Chocorua buildings.

The new undergraduate dormitory will be where the Chocorua dormitory now stands. The single dormintory will replace the two and accommodate 384 beds.

We are not reducing the number of beds, May said. We are looking at the overall replacement and updating of our dorms and not necessarily a one-for-one replacement with each dorm building.

May said the new building will feature larger rooms, which will be roughly 210 square feet in size. The rooms will be in a pod-style design, and each floor will feature laundry and a variety of social spaces, she said.

In filings at City Hall, the college said the new building will be close to the center of the 37-acre west side of the campus. The location which will promote pedestrian traffic and maintain vehicular circulation, the filing reads.

Although the dormitory will be five stories high, it will be on a slope so it will not loom higher than existing multi-story dorms, May said.

Approximately 3,000 students are enrolled at the SNHU campus, which straddles the Manchester-Hooksett town line.

mhayward@unionleader.com

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SNHU replacing old dorms with five-story building - The Union Leader

By Nick Mordowanec

Posted March 15, 2017

click to enlarge

(Sutterstock image)

(Sutterstock image)

CLINTON TOWNSHIP A battle against rodents and vermin is still being waged by Clinton Township officials.

Following the arrival of new trash containers that were doled out to residents in 2016 in an effort to remove blight and reduce animal impact, ordinances are still being updated.

Clinton Township Building Department Superintendent Barry Miller outlined the amended change to Ordinance No. 426 in relation to rodents, vermin harborage, rat walls and slab specifications. The revision would provide changes to the 2015 Michigan Residential Code.

It was introduced at the Clinton Township Board of Trustees Feb. 27 meeting.

The current ordinance states that all structures and the exteriors of all property shall be kept from rodent and vermin infestation. Wherever rodents and vermin are found, it is the property owners responsibility to promptly exterminate the creatures through a lawful process that does not endanger human health.

Following extermination, measures must be taken to prevent re-infestation. Detached garages, sheds or other similar structures must be erected on a minimum 4-inch-wide by 24-inch-deep concrete rat wall with a 4-inch concrete slab.

The newly proposed ordinance states that any addition constructed on a pier foundation and located less than 18 inches above the grade adjacent to the proposed structure, must provide a 4-inch concrete slab and 4-inch-wide-by-24-inch-deep concrete wall or an equivalent structure permitted by a building department official.

Miller said the changes are geared more toward detached structures where, for example, a sunroom edition may be built on a slab, or older home additions, like decks, made prior to 2015 code, when owners werent required to build them on piers.

The problem is if (homeowners) build these things close to the ground, rodents can get under and nest, Miller said. Its not as likely if you have a slab underneath it. (Rodents and vermin) wont build nests on top of concrete. Its usually in rubble or rocks.

Township Attorney Jack Dolan clarified that the rat wall is part of the ordinance so patios or decks go down 24 inches, rather than a full foundation of 48 inches. Homeowners would get the permit first, making sure they are deep enough in their calculations.

As for proper extermination, Dolan simply said, You have to get rid of your vermin.

He used an example of a homeowner piling wood on grass or pavement, and rats returning back and forth from such piles. It should be a wake-up call to residents about why rodents and vermin come and stay.

If there are a bunch of rats seen, we have to verify that (the homeowner) took the measure to have the rats exterminated, that they contracted with an exterminator, Dolan said. We want to make sure that if a population is discovered, steps are taken to eliminate it.

Miller said 18 inches is required by Michigan code, allowing for the depth of a crawl space in case maintenance has to occur. There has always been a provision for property owners to be responsible for properly getting rid of animals, he added.

As was the case last year, the Clinton Township Building Department will hire two part-time employees from April 1 to Oct. 1. The employees will alternate days and work about 20 hours per week, adding an extra person on the ground to enforce ordinances before neighborhoods get out of hand.

The department has always been a reactive department, and this kind of helps get into the community, Miller said. Last year, we did double the amount of complaints, and weve been proactive. Wed see the violations and then go handle them.

At press time, the amended ordinance was scheduled to be voted on by the Board of Trustees at its March 13 meeting. If approved, the amendment immediately goes into effect.

About the author

Nick Mordowanec covers Fraser, Clinton Township, Fraser Public Schools, Clintondale Community Schools and Baker College for the Fraser-Clinton Chronicle. Nick, a graduate of Michigan State University, has worked for C & G Newspapers since 2013 and has won awards from the Society of Professional Journalists Detroit Chapter and the Michigan Press Association. He has slight obsessions with Seinfeld and Led Zeppelin.

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