Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Storm cleanup costs not yet calculated

Carol Bressi examines the damage to her car and home on Donica Road in York, Maine, after a severe thunderstorm pounded the town on July 15. Bressi was eating in her kitchen when trees started to come down all around her house.Ioanna Raptis/iraptis@seacoastonline.com

YORK, Maine The Board of Selectmen on Monday deferred releasing $100,000 from a contingency account to pay for tree cleanup from last week's microburst storm, but said the town would pay its bills.

In an unanimous vote, the five-member board moved to have the town manager pay the bills as necessary and wait for a full accounting of expenses prior to releasing contingency funds.

Selectmen agreed to allow residents to put tree debris curbside for town pickup to the transfer station. Department of Public Works Director Dean Lessard is requesting residents move material to the side of the road for pickup by Monday, July 28.

The town's contingency account of $100,000 is on the town budget referendum each May. It authorizes selectmen to spend up to $100,000 for emergencies and other needs not known at the time of budget preparation, according to the warrant article approved by voters this past May and in previous years.

The last time the contingency was used was in 2010, when York experienced a June microburst storm that also felled trees and cut power lines.

Lessard estimated $90,000 to $100,000 was spent in 2010 for tree removal, and said Monday he expected to need a similar amount to clean up damage from the microburst of July 15. The bulk of the funds is to pay three private contractors hired to remove trees and limbs from streets, rights of way and sidewalks, he said.

Lessard has employed Lee Tree Co., Abbott Bros Inc. and Pierre Puffer, and has yet to get a bill, according to Lessard. He estimated each so far had put in about 75 hours, at $100 an hour for the cost of the crew, for an estimated $7,500 for each contractor.

That doesn't include hiring the contractors to pick up tree debris curbside, as was approved Monday and has been past practice, he said.

See the original post here:
York waits to release funds for tree work

Published: Monday, July 21, 2014 at 8:05 p.m. Last Modified: Monday, July 21, 2014 at 8:05 p.m.

A proposal to prune New Hanover County's tree-protection rules was rejected by the county commissioners Monday night.

The county's current rules penalize illegal timbering by putting a hold of up to five years if the action is deemed willful on development permits for any post-clearing construction.

That language, which was adopted in 2008, had been challenged by L.P. Britton Jr., who was cited for illegally clearing five acres on Chesterfield Drive in the northern part of the county without a permit.

Attorney Matt Nichols said his client was not aware of the county's tree ordinance when he moved forward with the tree clearing in January.

To seek relief, Britton submitted a proposed change that would reduce any penalty to six months if the illegal tree clearing was done by a professional tree-removal company which this work was. The changes also would have made any penalty an administrative decision, in other words at the discretion of staff.

The county Planning Board last month rejected the idea of reducing the penalty to six months, but kept the proposal to make an enforcement action a staff decision.

But county planning and zoning supervisor Ken Vafier on Monday said including that language could put officials in an awkward position in trying to weigh the offense and determine the appropriate penalty.

So the staff proposed removing that language. The changes also would have included a provision allowing for the permit-delay penalty to be only six months in return for a payment $10,000 an acre to the county's tree-improvement fund. The enforcement provision also would stay with the land, meaning it would transfer if the property goes under new ownership.

But a divided board couldn't agree on making any changes to the ordinance.

Read the rest here:
New Hanover officials reject changes to tree rules

Princeton residents likely will need to pay $25 for a permit from the town before being allowed to cut down trees on their property.

The council was due Monday to adopt a tree protection ordinance mandating residential and commercial property owners meet those and other requirements. In explaining the rationale behind the ordinance, officials said trees are good for the environment and that the protections are necessary given all the trees that have been lost to storms since 2010.

"A 50-year-old tree is very hard to replace," said Councilwoman Jenny Crumiller by phone Friday. She said she expected the council to support the ordinance.

The measure would require anyone to seek a permit to cut down the following: trees with a diameter greater than 8 inches measured at a point 4.5 feet off the ground; ornamental or evergreen trees 10 feet or taller; trees whose canopy extends over a public right-of-way, and specimen or significant trees. Permits would be issued per property, not by per tree.

The former township and borough used to have tree protection ordinances. The town last week said it had issued between 225 and 250 tree removal permits in 2013.

In 2013, the all-volunteer Princeton Shade Commission started working toward producing an ordinance. Part of that included looking at what other communities around the state did and comparing tree protection measures in the old township and borough.

Sharon Ainsworth, the chairwoman of the commission, on Friday listed some of the benefits of trees, such as providing shade, filtering the air and helping with the aesthetics of town.

Enforcement is in the hands of Greg ONeil, assistant director of public works. His job will be to inspect trees to determine whether a permit should be granted. Residents will not have to get a permit to remove a dead or diseased tree. But they would have to get a written confirmation from Mr. ONeil saying that he had inspected the tree or trees and deemed them dead or substantially diseased.

Residents could appeal Mr. ONeils denial of their application either to the Shade Tree Commission or directly to the mayor and council. They would have to file an appeal in writing within 10 days of a denial.

Violators of the ordinance could face a municipal court summons. A judge could order the person to make restitution for the value of the destroyed tree and or replace illegally removed trees.

Read more:
PRINCETON: Tree-cutting ordinance likely

Antrim County Deputy Accused of Theft Antrim County Deputy Accused of Theft

Updated: Tuesday, July 22 2014 5:41 PM EDT2014-07-22 21:41:51 GMT

An Antrim County Sheriff's deputy is being charged with theft crimes today. The Antrim County court says Deputy Michael Bingham is accused of taking money that was seized during the search of a home in Mancelona.

An Antrim County Sheriff's deputy is being charged with theft crimes today. The Antrim County court says Deputy Michael Bingham is accused of taking money that was seized during the search of a home in Mancelona.

Updated: Tuesday, July 22 2014 1:00 PM EDT2014-07-22 17:00:59 GMT

Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office is investigating a retail fraud complaint. The incident occurred Monday, July 21 around 7:40 p.m. at Meijer in Traverse City.

Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office is investigating a retail fraud complaint. The incident occurred Monday, July 21 around 7:40 p.m. at Meijer in Traverse City.

Updated: Tuesday, July 22 2014 5:30 PM EDT2014-07-22 21:30:38 GMT

U.S. officials say intel suggests Malaysia Airline Flight 17 was shot down by separatists, and currently there is no link to Russian involvement.

U.S. officials say intel suggests Malaysia Airline Flight 17 was shot down by separatists, and currently there is no link to Russian involvement.

Original post:
DNR Plans to Remove Acres of Trees

A crane being used by a tree trimming service toppled and hit a Marlborough home Tuesday afternoon.

Watch the report | Images: Crane falls onto home

Monkey Men Tree Removal was in the process of removing branches near homes when the crane fell.

The fiance of the operator said the pavement gave way, and that's why the crane toppled, hitting the Lake Shore Drive home and landing on the back deck.

Jake Navarro, of National Grid, said two transformers were damaged during the incident and 16 customers were left without power.

Navarro said the company is hoping to have power restored by 6 p.m.

Emergency officials said no injuries were reported.

Officials from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating the incident.

Tree trimmer falls onto roof of Marlborough home

A tree trimmer topples and hits a Marlborough home Tuesday afternoon.

Link:
Tree-trimming crane topples, hits home

Custom Tile Work For Bath Room York PA

By: Creation Services Group

Visit link:
Custom Tile Work For Bath Room York PA - Video

Toronto, Canada (PRWEB) July 21, 2014

Centura Tile (http://www.Centura.ca), North Americas premier distributor of both residential and commercial floor and wall fashions, is both honoured and sad to announce the retirement of long-time employee Wayne Squirell.

Wayne has been with Centura Tile since 1972, when it was known as Central Supply, and has represented Centura Tile with his diligent work ethic and dignity, says Ross Keltie, vice president of sales and marketing at Centura Tile. With over 42 years of dedicated service, he has been a treasure and an asset.

Squirell started with Centura Tile in the carpet and vinyl cutting department and through his own will, hard work, and initiative, worked his way up to head of the purchasing department.

Whats special about Wayne is that hes the ultimate team player, Keltie continues. He participated in nearly every activity that we coordinated, work-related or not, and he truly appreciates everyone he worked with, both colleagues and customers.

Keltie adds that Squirells wife, who also works for Centura Tile, will also be retiring in September and that everyone in Centura Tile wishes both of them nothing but the very best.

Centura Tile will continue to excel in its operations and have already brought aboard individuals who are passionate about learning and growth, Keltie concludes. As one of the top tile distributors and floor covering companies in Canada, we hold ourselves to a higher standard and expect more from each and every person associated with our business.

Centura Tile is the premier distributor of both residential and commercial floor and wall fashions throughout North America. Founded in 1933, Centura Tile has grown from a single location in Toronto to 14 locations coast-to-coast; each with a full showroom and warehousing facilities. Each Centura Tile location carries an extensive range of floor and wall products, such as ceramic tile, porcelain, mosaics, stone, vinyl, rubber, carpet, laminate, and hardwood from leading manufacturers around the world. Centura Tile also has the most complete range of accessory products to complement any installation, including bases, treads, mortar, grout, engineered cements, adhesives, trim systems, and tools. To learn more about Centura Tile, visit the companys web site at http://www.Centura.ca or call 1-416-785-5151.

Excerpt from:
Centura Tile, Canadas Premier Distributor of Floor and Wall Fashions, Announces Retirement of Wayne Squirell

Dan Gross/The Gazette

Don Bosco Athletic Director Chris Lesesne stands in the Takoma Park schools gym which is being renovated.

Bit by bit, a new gymnasium floor is rounding into shape at Don Bosco Christo Rey High School in Takoma Park. It is still unfinished, but soon enough, the boys basketball team, which used to practice on a tile floor with roll away baskets, will have a much improved court and drop down hoops.

As the court goes through its process of construction, so does the basketball program at the school that opened in 2007. This summer, Athletic Director Chris Lesesne, who is entering his second year with the Wolfpack, had the team participate in the Born to Bump Summer League at Wilson High School in Washington, D.C. The league featured top-flight teams such as Gonzaga, Wilson and Our Lady of Good Counsel. Don Bosco struggled throughout the league and failed to win a game, but Lesesne said he saw it as a great learning experience for a team that is still getting used to playing more organized basketball and features a few first-time team players.

They grew tremendously, Lesesne said. We played Maret the first game and Good Counsel throughout the regular season. We ended up playing those teams again and it was a different caliber. I believe weve earned a lot of respect no matter what the score was just on how much we matured and improved during the summer.

But the Don Bosco players, most of whom reside in D.C. and Prince Georges County and have limited financial resources, according to the school, find themselves in a unique situation. Their biggest challenge comes in the form of time management. During the school year, they have to learn to balance school, athletics and Don Boscos Corporate Work Study Program. Every student at Don Bosco participates in the program, and, according to the schools marketing director, Claire Wyrsch, mostly have entry-level clerical jobs at law firms, accounting firms, hospitals and even NASA.

It really opens their eyes to possibilities, Wyrsch said. Theyre seeing professions that theyve never imagined.

Both Lesesne and Wyrsch know that the work program will prevent the Wolfpack from ever becoming a dominant atheltics program. It provides scheduling challenges they often have to play games on Sundays when most other schools have the day off and takes time away from practice. But Lesesne and Wyrsch also reiterated the fact that the schools focus has always been on education. Lesesne believes that athletics can help instill a well-rounded high school experience for the students and serves as another key to a college education.

Were not looking to be a big powerhouse, Lesesne said. Our focus is to give our young men and women an opportunity to achieve in academics.

He credits the second-year coaching staff of Jack Buchanan and Jerry Mitchell, both longtime coaching veterans of CYO basketball, with maintaining that message.

Follow this link:
Work to build Don Bosco basketball underway -- Gazette.Net

Change your sprinkler system to drip irrigation in a few easy steps
Learn how to convert your automated irrigation system to a drip irrigation system to save water and money when watering your garden.

By: Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA)

The rest is here:
Change your sprinkler system to drip irrigation in a few easy steps - Video

2368 E Road Grand Junction CO 81507
For more information contact Corrina Shirley at 970-241-4000 or 970-270-4567. This Close in Redlands Home is a 3/3/2 with a 14x20 Heated Workshop off of the Garage, RV Parking and PLENTY of...

By: rm4000gj

See the article here:
2368 E Road Grand Junction CO 81507 - Video