Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

PHILIPSBURG - Plans to clean up lead contamination at the Philipsburg Rod and Gun Club's trap shooting range within Black Moshannon State Park will be the focus of a public meeting and public hearing on Sept. 22.

The state departments of Environmental Protection and Conservation and Natural Resources are expected to review four plans to address the extensive soil and limited groundwater contamination found on the site as a result of generations of lead shot from trap shells fired on the property.

The plans will be detailed during the public meeting, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Rush Township Municipal Building, 150 N. Richard St., Philipsburg.

"Staff from DEP's Environmental Cleanup and Brownfields program will explain the issue, review the proposed remedial solutions and answer questions," DEP North-Central Regional Director Marcus Kohl said.

The state's preferred alternative, estimated at $835,319, calls for removing lead shot from the site and stabilizing the soil in a way that will decrease the leachability of the lead. Three alternative plans include suggestions of taking no action, of providing an impermeable cap to restrict the lead's mobility or the excavation, treatment and removal of the soil for disposal in a landfill.

An administrative record, including an analysis of the alternatives, is available for review at the Black Moshannon State Park office or at DEP's North-Central Regional Office in Williamsport. Park office hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. DEP regional office hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.

The presentation on the alternatives will be followed by a public hearing, starting at 7:30 p.m., when citizens can offer up to five minutes of comment regarding the proposed remedial actions. All testimony will be recorded and transcribed into a written document. DEP is expected to provide a written response to all relevant testimony. DEP is also willing to accept written testimony of any length.

Anyone in need of specific accommodations to participate in the meeting or hearing should contact Daniel Spadoni at 570-327-3659 or through the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at 800-654-5984.

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Meeting to focus on cleaning up range

Maumee, OH (PRWEB) August 19, 2014

Most homeowners enter their houses by driving into their garage more frequently than any other door in the home, so why not make it welcoming? To add pizzazz to the exterior of a garage door during National Curb Appeal Month in August, the experts at Fypon recommend installing decorative urethane trim pieces, such as mouldings, crossheads, pediments and keystones to the garage door surround on the home.

People focus a great deal of attention on the curb appeal of a home, but oftentimes they dont use their main entry door nearly as often as they do their garage door, says Anita Piety marketing specialist for Fypon. We recommend that homeowners treat themselves by making their garage door entrance more aesthetically appealing by adding synthetic trim pieces. This is a simple do-it-yourself project with great results!"

Piety suggests that the first basic element is to surround the entire garage door entry with weather-resistant polyurethane moulding or PVC trim. The pieces are easy to cut and install, plus they resist insect infestations, warping, splitting and humidity. Polyurethane products come with a pre-primed surface that is ready to paint or stain, so no sanding or additional priming is needed before installation. PVC trim pieces do not need to be painted.

As an option to moulding and trim, more detailed pilasters, which usually stand vertically to frame out an entry door, are a great way to add dimension and beauty to the sides of the garage entryway. After installing these, look at the top of the garage entrance.

If homeowners have at least two feet of space between the top of the garage and the roofline, they can get creative by topping off the garage entry with a crosshead, says Piety. These come in very long lengths --- up to 207 inches in width --- to accommodate large garage openings. Or, two smaller pieces can be ordered, installed side-by-side and the gap covered with a keystone decorative element placed in the center.

Because Fypon products are lightweight yet durable, installation is fast and easy for homeowners. Simple tools, including premium adhesive, saw, measuring tape, hammer, nails, a level, a ladder and safety eyewear are all that are needed to completely transform the garage door dcor on a home.

Another way to enhance the garage door is with an award-winning Fypon PVC Trellis System. Available in two sizes to accommodate either single- or double-car garages, each trellis system comes as a complete kit including durable outlookers, attractive beams, lattice and hardware. The trellis system adds architectural distinction to any home and comes in smooth white or stainable woodgrain.

One of the best aspects of adding synthetic millwork and trim to the exterior of the home is that these products out-perform wood in so many ways, says Piety. Both polyurethane and PVC trim are made of a closed-cell product, making them resistant to moisture and insects. Each of the pieces also resists rotting, peeling and crumbling, so once the garage door surround is installed theres virtually no maintenance required to keep it looking warm and welcoming for years to come!

Fypon offers thousands of decorative millwork elements in a variety of architectural styles to enhance the interior and exterior of homes. Each piece is crafted from tough, weather-resistant, high-performance materials that are resistant to decay, insect infestation and water damage for long-lasting beauty and low maintenance. Part of consumer products company Fortune Brands Home & Security (NYSE: FBHS), Fypon, LLC is owned by Therma-Tru Corp. For additional information, call 800-446-3040 or visit http://www.fypon.com.

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Garage Door Dcor During National Curb Appeal Month

The agenda for next weeks Malibu City Council meeting includes recommending over $2.5 million in spending, for projects as far-ranging as updates to city hall council chambers, tree removal, Point Dume parking restrictions, new street signs and new city contractors.

Of that $2.5 million price tag, staff is allocating $382,600 to pay city contractors.

A project to improve the broadcast capabilities in the council chambers at City Hall could add $262,922 to Mondays bill. Staff is recommending lighting and camera upgrades, as well as upgrades to the projection system and other broadcast equipment.

Another $697,011 is recommended by staff for the construction of the Las Flores Canyon Creek Restoration and Park Project, for the second phase of its development. This is a project that has already been approved.

Staff recommends the Council authorize City Manager Jim Thorsen to hire a development and database management services contractor for $46,500.

A proposed preferential parking zone near the intersection of Heathercliff Road and Dume Drive will add another $4,500 to the tally.

The Parks and Recreation Commission recommends the Council authorize adding Malibu Cars and Coffee to its schedule of programs for another $1,000. The cars and coffee program is billed as a social event for car enthusiasts.

Staff recommends authorizing the preparation of a Master Plan and EIR for Malibu Bluffs Open Space Parkland at $325,000.

Finally, Councilmember Laura Rosenthal is requesting the removal of eucalyptus trees planted in the City right-of-way. The estimated number of Eucalyptus trees in the right-of-way, according to the agenda report, is 876, with tree removal estimated at $1,000 per tree. Therefore, that project could cost up to $876,000.

Not included in the count are other proposed project that are do not include cost estimates, such as a proposal by Mayor Skylar Peak for all new street signs and welcome signs.

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City Proposes $2.5 million in Spending at Upcoming Council Meeting

Waterford - A neighborhood dispute over the town's removal of several trees on Greentree Drive led to questions Monday during a public hearing about the propriety of spending taxpayer money on issues affecting individual landowners.

Tim Conderino, owner of T&T Contracting, said he believed the removal of pine trees on the property of Kelly and Brentt Smith at 23 Greentree Drive set a bad precedent.

"You're opening up a huge, huge cost to the town," he said.

Geoff Burnham, a neighbor of the Smiths, requested the hearing because he felt that the removal of trees created an eyesore and as he wrote in a letter to the town, "taxpayer dollars should not be spent for work on removing trees on what amounts to private property and could be spent on more pressing improvements and repairs."

The Smiths, however, said during the Town Hall hearing attended by about 30 people that the trees were past their prime and branches were constantly falling on their property, endangering their children. Pine needles from the trees also blocked storm drains, they said, causing 4 feet of water to accumulate in their basement during one big storm.

One issue discussed was why the town would be required to remove trees more than 20 feet from any town road. But First Selectman Dan Steward said the subdivision granted the town a 24-foot right of way so that even trees deep within private property could be removed if they posed a hazard.

Burnham questioned whether the trees did pose a hazard, considering that Tree Warden Kristin B. Zawacki, who is also the town's director of public works, indicated in a note last August that she wasn't concerned about them.

"We don't clear healthy trees," she said in the note.

Zawacki said during the hearing, though, that the trees had deteriorated in the intervening months and were "snapping at the top."

Conderino and others noted that the Greentree Drive controversy occurred not long after Waterford High School removed 40 pine trees from its property to much public lamentation. He said the high school's trees were removed on a Sunday by a town crew, resulting in overtime costs.

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Removal of trees in Waterford at root of dispute

WOODRIDGE This fall, the Village of Woodridge will begin to remove the last batch of ash trees deemed unsalvageable due to the emerald ash borer.

The village is seeking bids for the removal of roughly 1,400 infected ash trees on village-owned property, which would bring the total number of ash trees on public property lost to the invasive bug to about 3,000.

The bid process is part of an accelerated effort to remove the unsalvageable trees, according to Chris Bethel, director of Woodridge Public Works.

Weve condensed the timeline for removal because the drought of two years ago and the extreme cold this past winter really accelerated the decline [of the infected trees], Bethel said. So we recommended accelerating the removal as opposed to removing the trees over the next four years. That way we can focus on replacing the trees in years two through four.

The remaining ash tree population on public property "several hundred" are either showing signs of resistance to the ash borer or are being treated with a chemical injection to fend off the bug, whose larvae feed on the tree's vascular system and deteriorate the tree.

Public works staff members are certified and licensed to administer the chemical injections, allowing the department to handle the treatment in-house as opposed to outsourcing.

About 50 white ash trees have been treated with the chemical. This month, the Woodridge Public Works Department began tying pink ribbons around the treated trees, indicating that the trees should not be touched or disturbed.

So far the results [of the chemical treatment] have been positive, Bethel said. Were seeing a decline in the deterioration of the trees.

The village is expected to spend more than $600,000 over the next five years for treatment and removal of ash trees.

"Right now we have $150,000 budgeted for calendar years '15 and '16, $160,000 for '17 and $70,000 each in years '18 and '19. The expenditures for 2018 and 2019 are for replacement of the trees," Bethel said, adding that the timing of those expenditures will soon change in adjustment to the more condensed timeline for removal of the trees.

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Village accelerates removal of infected ash trees

PennDOT officials said Tuesday the outbound Squirrel Hill Tunnel will be closed around the clock this weekend for construction.

The tunnel will close at 10 p.m. Friday and will not reopen until 6 a.m. Monday. Work will include paving inside the tunnel, tile placement, water line installation, sandstone and brick cleaning, lighting work and other construction. The work is part of a $50 million project to rehabilitate the tunnel. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the summer.

The inbound tunnel will remain open during the outbound closure, PennDOT officials said.

To minimize the impact on Squirrel Hill businesses, PennDOT will post different detours for day and night. The daylight detour will route traffic from Forward Avenue to Beechwood Boulevard to Forbes Avenue to South Braddock Avenue and back onto the Parkway.

The night detour will route traffic from Forward Avenue to Murray Avenue to Forbes Avenue to South Braddock Avenue and back onto the parkway.

We anticipate this being the last full weekend tunnel closure of the project, PennDOT spokesman Steve Cowan said. The contractor still has a closure in each direction per the contract, but it is doubtful they would use it. If all goes well this weekend, that should be the last full closure.

Bobby Kerlik is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-320-7886 or bkerlik@tribweb.com.

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Rehab work to close Squirrel Hill Tunnel outbound this weekend

The Waterloo Pool in Denison will remain closed for the next two weeks as workers perform annual maintenance at the facility.

In past years, the pool has closed during the late part of August for annual work, Parks and Recreation Department Manager Sunny Mackey said. As summer temperatures historically hit their peak during the month, attendance tends to drop, she said.

August is one of the least busy months of the year for us, said Mackey.

Mackey said workers will be finishing final touches to repairs to the womens bathroom that began earlier in the summer. At the beginning of the summer, a leak was discovered in the wall of the restroom. While the leak was repaired, paint and tile work were delayed until the August break due to the humidity and use of the facility, said Mackey.

Additionally, workers will be painting the main office area.

The pool will open again on Sept. 2 in time for the swim team season, Mackey said.

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Waterloo Pool closes for seasonal maintenance and repairs

When Perkasie Fire Company members speak with residents, one of the things they encourage them to have is a sprinkler system in their homes.

However, some might be surprised where there isnt a sprinkler system.

We promote sprinklers, but we dont have one in our building, Perkasie Fire Company Chief David Worthington said.

A sprinkler system is the biggest ticket item on a 14-item, $423,000 list of capital funding projects the company would like to implement at its Perkasie station.

With the cost of maintaining the station in mind, the company is considering asking borough residents for an increase in the fire tax and held a public forum to get resident feedback at the firehouse Thursday, Aug. 14.

In addition to borough officials and members of the fire company, a small handful of residents listened to Worthington expound upon the companys financial situation and funding needs.

The fire company has two stations: one in the borough and one in East Rockhill Township, with the company providing coverage to 68 percent of East Rockhill. Both Perkasie and East Rockhill have a fire tax, with the company receiving the entirety of Perkasies tax and a proportional 68 percent of East Rockhills tax funding, according to Worthington.

Funding for the maintenance of each station and the apparatus held there is kept separate, meaning the taxes Perkasie residents pay go only to the station in the borough, according to Worthington.

Currently, 1 mill out of the 5.75 mill tax rate goes to the fire company, according to information on the boroughs website.

It basically equates to $27.80 per billable parcel, the chief said. Continued...

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Perkasie Fire Company discusses funding needs

Eve and Adam. Plaid Systems

Hop over to Kickstarter this morning and you'll see the smart gardening platform the Eve Ecosystem launched its crowd-funding campaign. Built specifically to work with the SmartThings home automation hub, Eve is designed as an irrigation controller that automatically adapts to the conditions of your yard. It can manage up to 16 different watering zones of your home's existing sprinkler system. You can control each zone individually from your smart phone or tablet, or let Eve do the scheduling for you. It'll process data from its moisture sensor -- called Adam -- placed in your yard, and take into account any weather info gathered by the SmartThings hub, to give your lawn the exact amount of water it needs.

Eve, the first product by Plaid Systems, will have plenty of connected capability right from launch, including IFTTT functionality, courtesy of the existing SmartThings platform. For example, you could have your sprinklers automatically turn off whenever you open the front door, then turn back on a set amount of time later.

SmartThings, a former Kickstarter project itself, was recently acquired by Samsung to help them grow their footprint in the ever-growing smart home market. With a bevy of motion sensors and power controls already at its disposal, SmartThings can now use Eve to expand outside of the walls of the Smart Home.

Screens from the app. Plaid Systems

The increased profile of SmartThings caused by the Samsung deal can only help Eve with its Kickstarter campaign. The downside of Eve building its system for SmartThings is the greatly increased initial cost for interested parties who don't already own a SmartThings hub, as the Eve Irrigation system won't function without it.

On its own, the SmartThings hub costs $99. The Eve Irrigation controller will retail separately for $150, with each Adam sensor tacking on $55. Together, the two sell for $200. All prices will be consistent for Kickstarter backers and shoppers once it hits store shelves, though Plaid is offering a limited number of discount devices for those who pledge early. They plan to have the product ready to ship by March of 2015. Currently, the Eve Ecosystem is not available overseas.

Even with the cost of the SmartThings hub, Plaid's pricing for both the Eve and Adam components pits it favorably against the competition. The Rachio Iro functions as an irrigation controller similar to Eve. It costs $249 or $299 for an 8 zone or 16 zone capacity, with the low price matching the cost of an Eve plus a SmartThings hub.

Similar to Eve, you can use the Iro to manually control each sprinkler zone or allow it to take care of the watering schedule for you. Rachio's device connects directly to your Wi-Fi router, so it can adapt to weather information without the need for a separate hub.That said, SmartThings allows Eve's system to scale in a way that Rachio's can't match.

Adam. Plaid Systems

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The Eve Irrigation System hopes to make your garden perfect

By Leslie Postal, Orlando Sentinel

2:11 p.m. EDT, August 19, 2014

UCF's Bright House Networks Stadium has been closed temporarily this week for repairs to its sprinkler system, but the work will not interfere with upcoming college football games, officials said.

The University of Central Florida is replacing a small section of pipe less than four feet that feeds the stadium's sprinkler system, said Grant Heston, vice president for communications and marketing.

A sign announcing the stadium's closure went up today.

The work is to be completed before Aug. 31 when the 10th annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge is to be held in the stadium. In that game, North Carolina A&T State University will face off against Alabama A&M University.

The Knights' first home football game of the season is scheduled for Sept. 20 against Bethune-Cookman University. The closure has "no operational impact," Heston said.

If for some reason the repair work is not finished before the scheduled games, the stadium would still open. But UCF would need to have firefighters stationed there during the contests, he added.

lpostal@tribune.com or 407-420-5273

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UCF stadium shut down for sprinkler repairs