BUTLER COUNTY

Pet owners, legislators and restaurateurs might want outside dining to be something mans best friend can enjoy, but health department officials have concerns.

Under a bill sponsored by Sen. Bill Coley, R-West Chester Twp., restaurant owners and not public health officials would decide whether to allow dogs on outdoor patios and porches.

Coley said restaurant owners work for their businesses and customers, and ultimately the decision should rest with the owner, not the Ohio Department of Health or some bureaucrat in a city or municipality around the state.

A similar bill is pending in the Ohio House that would block local public health officials from implementing or enforcing bans.

Linda Moorman, of co-owner Murphys Landing in downtown Middletown, said the decision to allow a dog on the patio of an establishment should be up to a business owner and not a health department.

I dont believe any business is going to do something thats going to cause them to lose money, she said. The worse thing, I would think, would be a barking dog or a dog that keeps annoying another customer.

While Murphys Landing has dining patios, Moorman said she isnt entirely sold on the concept of allows dogs on them.

I know people love their animals and I think theres a time and place for everything, (but) its something Id have to think about (and discuss with business partners), she said.

Michael Olson, of Hamilton, questions if restaurants would have dog and non-dog areas just like there used to be when smoking was allowed.

To many, this would be just as offensive as smoking, he said. I have two dogs myself, but I still would not patronize a restaurant that allowed dogs, even on the patio.

The majority of area residents surveyed by this media outlet said they wanted owners to decide if they wanted their outdoor dining patios to be dog-friendly, and then customers could decide if they wanted to continue patronizing that business.

If a restaurant owner wants to cater to dog owners that should be their choice, said Dennis Huntington, of Hamilton. If a patron doesnt like that, dont go there, choose another restaurant.

Jennifer Bailer, the Butler County Health Departments health commissioner, said the clause in Coleys bill to make the decision strictly up to the restaurant owner and the public, and not public health officials, makes it a little tricky for us, certainly.

Jeff Agnew, environmental health director for Butler County Health Department, said such legislation could pave the way for a dog causing a major problem by running loose from the patio and into the dining room or the food preparation area.

We have a food code today to address situations if someone vomited or had any other bodily discharges in the food service operations, he said. You have to have methods of written procedure on how to deal with that and have the proper cleaning procedures. Can you imagine if we had cats or dogs that would go into an operation like that and do their business or jump up on your table and steal your food from you?

Bailer said her office researched other states that have allowed dogs on patios, including California which requires a separate outdoor entrance where pets enter and exit.

Feeding a dog on a California restaurant patio is only allowed via a single-use, disposable container.

If this (Ohio) legislation passes and its desired to allow dogs, we as the health department would hope that there would be some limitations or guidelines on how that will be done to protect the health of the human public, she said.

While some restaurants, breweries or other establishments have been known to allow dogs on their patios in the past, that doesnt mean the health department has condoned it.

Exceptions include service animals and patrol dogs that accompany police or security officers. Pets also may enter the common dining areas of institutional care facilities, such as nursing homes.

While the Ohio Restaurant Association didnt come up with the idea for the bill, it is supporting it, according to Joe Rosato, director of government affairs.

Restaurant owners should decide if they want dogs on their patios, Rosato said.

We believe its up to the business owner if it makes sense to allow dogs on patios, Rosato said. Youve got to make yourself different and standout so you can attract consumers of all kinds.

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Mixed opinions on pet-friendly patio option for restaurants - Hamilton Journal News

Youve learned all there is to know about carpet, shopped smart, made your best choice, and now its just a matter of waiting for the installers, right?

You know better, of course. The next step is to be knowledgeable and prepared for the big day when the new carpeting will transform your home.

Being ready for the installation of your carpet will make the entire process go faster and more efficiently.

Knowing what to expect and being prepared will also be a lot less stressful on you, your family and your home.

Carpet installation is a skill that is developed through years of experience, so using professional installers is just plain smart. Also, understanding the basics of carpet installation will increase your knowledge of the process and enhance your confidence in the professionals working in your home. Some of these basics follow.

This shows the overall layout of the carpet, the correct placement of seams and transitions, and assists them in the preparation and cutting of the carpet.

While seams are inevitable, its the professionals who excel at minimizing and hiding seams. They call on years of experience and tried and true methods. Case in point: theyll insure seams are placed away from areas subjected to pivoting traffic, and not run seams perpendicular to doorway openings.

Some carpet styles can show the placement of the seam tape more than others. This is referred to as telegraphing, or peaking, and it is particularly noticeable in low cut pile and looped carpets. A seam may be excellent and considered tight but can still be seen.

You should keep in mind that, occasionally, additional carpet must be ordered to better match patterns at the seams, which will add to the cost.

The pros know what to do about transitions. When two different flooring products meet say, carpeting and a hardwood floor its called a transition. Your professional installers will try to match the surface heights of various flooring products to minimize transitions.

Furniture is step one. Remove all furniture and other objects and materials from the areas to be carpeted. Some installers will move your furniture, but there may be an additional charge for doing so.

Before moving, youll also need to empty the contents of china cabinets, closets and the like.

Please consider how your old floor covering will be taken up and disposed of. This can be a time consuming and messy task. We would be happy to discuss removal options with you.

If you prefer to remove your present floor covering, do it at least one day prior to installation to allow for cleanup and floor preparation. If removing old carpet, please leave tack strips in place and pull the staples out of the floor from the original pad.

You should know that, in many cases, moldings and baseboards need to be removed for carpet installation. Your installer may do this but at an additional charge and they will probably not be responsible for damage or beakage due to dry or brittle wood.

Painted baseboards, woodwork and paint may need retouching after the installation is complete. If necessary, this is your responsibility.

Your existing subfloor may need to be prepared to receive the carpet, or a new subfloor may be required. This is a job best left to the professionals and, again, we can help you with these decisions.

When carpeting is installed, theres always the possibility that the doors, especially closet doors, basement and bedroom doors, may not clear the new carpet and swing free. Another thing to keep in mind is how the color of carpet affects the apparent size of the room. Lighter colored carpet will visually expand the size of the room. Darker carpeting will seem to bring the walls closer together, and create a more intimate feeling.

Some installers will remove doors in order to install the carpet and re-hang them if possible. They probably wont shave or cut down doors to insure clearance. You may need to arrange for a qualified carpenter to provide this service after the installation of your new carpet.

Installing new carpet will produce waste.

Usually these materials are collected by your installer and left at your trash collection site. Check with your retailer before the day of installation so youre clear about the clean up, if there are added costs to do so, and ask about the plan for carpet remnants.

Be prepared to be at home the day of installation and be available in case the installation crew has questions. Your presence will insure that the correct carpet is installed in the right areas. Because it is difficult to estimate the length and circumstances of each job, some installers may not be able to give you an exact time of arrival. We suggest you be flexible and keep in touch with your retailer/installer.

Your installers will use a variety of tools and techniques that can make the work area hazardous. Please make sure that your children and pets are kept out of the work area on installation day.

We recommend that, prior to the completion of the installation, you walk thru the job with the chief installer. This will give you the opportunity to ask questions and be clear on any final details.

If you are sensitive to odors, good ventilation should be established. Some of the chemicals used in the construction of carpet, as well as the adhesives or hot melt seaming tapes, can have an odor for as long as 48 to 72 hours after installation. So be prepared to provide the room with adequate ventilation.

Shedding is a natural part of a new carpet. Frequent vacuuming for the first few days should remove any loose fibers from the carpets surface.

Sprouting refers to small tufts or loops of carpet that become visible after the installation. Use a small pair of scissors to carefully trim the loose fibers flush with the surface of the carpet.

Finally, if wrinkles or ripples appear in the carpet, it may be necessary to re-stretch the carpet. Please contact us to have this done professionally.

We want you to be as knowledgeable and well prepared as possible for the installation of your new carpet. It will make that day easier on you and your home and provide you with an enjoyable floor covering experience for years to come.

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Carpet Installation

LA Carpet Installation gives you nothing but the best carpeting at the best price with the best installation! We are regarded as the leading carpet installers in Los Angeles. You can always expect honesty with the best quality carpets to choose from.

Our Los Angeles Carpet Installers have assisted numerous homeowners and business owners with all their carpet installation needs. We can provide you with a variety of carpeting options and popular colors to choose from that will help you give your home or business an entirely new look and feel.

When you are looking for new carpeting in your home, condo, loft, townhome or office, we will be able to assist you no matter how big the space is.

Not only does LA Carpet Installation replace carpeting, but we also do carpet cleaning, rug cleaning, upholstery cleaning, drapery and mattress cleaning, air duct cleaning and tile and grout cleaning.

We will be able to serve all your carpet and cleaning needs; all at one place LA Carpet Installation the Los Angeles Area #1 Resource for High Quality Products and Service!

We are professional carpet installers who know and appreciate carpeting. Not only do we do great installation work we have your carpeting in mind and can help you properly maintain it with every two-year carpet cleaning or annual carpet cleaning for those who live in your home who suffer from allergies or asthma.

After about 10 years, you may decide it is time to replace your carpeting especially if it is no longer full of life and is flat. Do you have a dog or cat and there is carpet damage, excess urine stains? You may be ready to replace your carpet to have a nice fresh carpet. When urine soaks through to the patting, it is probably time to change your carpeting.

Once you have new carpeting, you want sure to protect your investment by having us clean it regularly for you. Carpeting is a place where dirt, dust, bacteria, food, allergens and other pollutants like to hide. This could be a problem for those who suffer from allergies or asthma. Therefore, it is important to keep up with the cleaning of your carpet.

We also clean upholstery. If you have your carpet cleaned regularly, it is probably a good idea to have your upholstery cleaned too! Just like carpet, upholstery fibers do retain dirt, dust, stains, bacteria, food, pollens and other pollutants. It is a good idea to have your furniture cleaned when you have your carpeting cleaned. This will ensure your home will be a cleaner and safer environment for your family.

This also applies to those who have a rug in their home. If you have a rug, then you should clean it professionally when you have your carpeting professionally cleaned by Los Angeles Carpet Cleaners. Rugs also hide dirt, dust, bacteria, pollens and other pollutants as people track on the rug like they do on the carpeting. Our carpet technicians know exactly how to take care of rugs and will be able to make your rug look more beautiful than it already does.

No matter whatever it is you need in your home or business; carpet installation, carpet cleaning, rug cleaning, upholstery cleaning, tile & grout cleaning, mattress cleaning, drapery cleaning or anything else that we can help you with, LA Carpet Installation will be your one-stop destination for all your carpeting and cleaning needs! Call LA Carpet Installation today and let us schedule an appointment to visit your location for an estimate.

WHY LA CARPET INSTALLTION:

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LA Carpet Installation - Carpet Installation Services in Los ...

The most important day in the life of your new carpet is the day it is installed.

The professional carpet installer, or carpet mechanic, is seldom given the respect he deserves. Installing carpet in a residence requires a complex knowledge of people skills, technical ability, craftsmanship, as well as a strong back. If the person who comes to your door looks likekerbochances are you are not going to get a very good installation.

The most important tool your carpet mechanic will use is thepower stretcher! Todays backings do not allow the use of aknee kickeralone. In fact, if your mechanic does not use a power stretcher, your new carpet will develop wrinkles in less than six months. Gone are the good old days of soft flexible jute backings that can be Knee Kicked in. Jute is not often available for carpet backings in this country.

The second most important tool your carpet mechanic will use is his brain. The man who is really a craftsman will be able to visualize the correct layout of your carpet, thereby optimizing the use of seams in your new carpet. His expertise will make sure all the material is running the correct direction. If a salesman tells you that a carpet is non directional, run from this person; he is lying to you.

Note that mills are requiring carpets to be installed in accordance with CR-105 (the Carpet and Rug Institutes installation bible). Some of the more important features of CR-105 are requiring a power stretcher be used, seams be sealed, and tack strip be properly positioned. There are qualified carpet installers out there. Do your homework.

Link:
Carpet Installation - Carpet Classics

All Flooring Soft comfort

Choose carpet for a look that's versatile, luxuriously livable and absolutely affordable. Carpet gives a home the best of both worlds: comfort and performance. Plus it's available in a variety of styles, colors and textures to suit any taste and every lifestyle.

Carpet is one of the most popular ways to add comfort and style to your home. Deciding what type of carpet is best for you can be difficult. Luckily, we offer hundreds of styles for you to choose from. We guarantee that you will be able to find the style that you are looking for.

Updating your carpet gives your space a homey atmosphere with a warm, comfortable, and cozy feel underfoot. There are many benefits to this stylish flooring including reducing the transfer of heat and cold through floors and creating a sound barrier by absorbing sounds rather than amplifying them.

Visible soil and vacuum marks on carpet can be minimized with todays popular flecked texture or pattern styles.

This might come as a surprise, but when carpet is properly maintained and cleaned, it can actually be beneficial for allergy suffers. Carpet traps dust and allergens in its fibers, making it less present in the air we breathe.

RiteRug Flooring offers both local showrooms and in home shopping services. Try in home shopping to see how your new flooring will look with your dcor, furniture and paint colors.

Some samples may not be available at all locations, but can be ordered upon request.

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Carpet - Carpeting - Loop - Berber - Pattern - Texture - Rite Rug

This fall, the Arden Theater in Philadelphia's Old City neighborhood turns 30 years old. To mark the occasion, it has brought on a small, startup theater company to be its artist in residence this season.

The Arden is paying forward an opportunity it received thirty years ago.

In the mid-1980s, Terry Nolan, Amy Murphy and Aaron Posner wanted to start a new theater company, but had no space, no audience, and not very much money. They got a big shot in the arm at the Walnut Street Theater, which offered them a 2-year residency in its third floor black-box theater.

"It was incredible," recalled Nolan. "We could focus on what we were doing and the relationships we were creating with artist and audiences, but when it came to space and rehearsing and performing, audiences knew where to find us."

The Arden has since become one of Philadelphia's most popular theaters. In 1995 it built its own theater on 2nd Street, with two stages. In 2013 it opened a second building - the Hamilton Family Arts Center - a few door down.

This fall it will debut a third a third performance space, the Bob and Selma Horan Studio, a flexible black box with about 80 seats.

Two decades ago, when it first opened its new home in Old City, the Arden invited a then-upstart theater company 1812 Productions to be in residence. 1812 has since established itself as an all-comedy company with year-round programming.

For its 30 anniversary, the Arden is bringing on another theater company that could use a boost.

Kashmir Goins founded GoKash productions a decade ago, and has kept it floating on little more than his own energy. He acts as writer, producer, director and performer - sometimes simultaneously.

"I had this burn in side me. There would be no peace if I didn't explore it," he said.

He also works in the pharmaceutical industry, has a carpet installation company, created a child day care, and has owned and managed several real estate properties.

"I like to be maxed out," said Goins.

A few years ago he quit his pharmaceutical sales job to focus to make a run at making theater full-time. But it didn't work out - not because he couldn't handle it. Rather, he didn't have enough balls in the air.

"At the end of that two years, I found I don't like this full-time theater thing," he said. "I like it when I'm working, and I do this when I can. It was a weird thing."

He has been producing theater semi-regularly for a decade, in various locations around town - mostly the Adrienne Theater, Plays and Players, and his alma mater, Lincoln University. Every show is a hustle for available space and time.

The residency at the Arden gives him something his theater career never had: stability. He knows where he is going to be for the next year. He knows he will have rehearsal time, and time to get the sound and lighting. He knows the box office will be taken care of, and the marketing.

"By being here, I have a home," he said. "I'm not scrounging for rehearsal space. I'm not moving in the day before the first show."

He even gets to have preview performances, the first of which begins Wednesday: "Seventy IV Seconds....to Judgement" is an original play about a courtroom jury hearing a second degree murder case. To break their deadlock, they decide to re-enact the crime to get a better sense of what happened, in the process revealing their individual prejudices about race and class.

After two previews, it will open Friday for a three-week run.

In the spring, Goins will re-stage, "Five to Ten," an original script concerning African-American prison populations.

"Five to Ten" was the play that first got Nolan's attention when he saw it at Plays and Players a few years ago. After seeing it, he started talking to Goins about the possibility of a company residency at the Arden.

"He doesn't have to focus on box office, keeping the place clean, turning the lights on," said Nolan. "Audiences will be attracted by the opportunity to come to this exciting new company doing work on our stages."

Read the rest here:
Arden Theater celebrates 30 years by returning to its roots and ... - Newsworks.org

MPS Group Inc. spent 15 years operating as a minority-owned pass-through, winning valuable automotive contracts then subcontracting the work out, often to companies that weren't minority-owned.

MPS chased contracts, expanding from waste management and industrial cleaning to warehouse management and even carpet installation. The result was MPS operated seven divisions, was expert in only a few, and struggled to turn a profit.

But in 2010, it hired a new CEO, cut product lines and reorganized under a new model bringing more work in-house and diversifying its customer base that helped the Farmington Hills-based company triple annual revenue in the past three years to $101 million, with $50 million in contracts waiting to be signed.

MPS represents a shift in how minority-owned companies are doing business a new model supported by local automakers, suppliers and trade groups to build a more sustainable, profitable minority-owned "ecosystem."

"All that time, MPS were leveraging that minority status to its own demise," said Edward Schwartz, president and CEO hired by majority owner Charlie Williams in 2010 from TriMas Corp. "We're proud of the certification, but we didn't want it to be the sole reason a customer chose us. Now we get the business because we're the most competitive bidder, and oh, we happen to be have the bonus of being minority-owned."

Michelle Sourie Robinson, CEO of the Detroit-based Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council, which certifies minority-owned enterprises, said the organization has been working for the past several years to end pass-through organizations and is recently focusing on building larger minority companies in the supply chain.

"Years ago, it was unheard of to see a $1 billion (minority-owned) business and the (automakers) tried a lot of different ways, to their credit, to move the needle for these business owners, but a symptom of slow-growth were these pass-throughs," she said. "We've gone in and audited our members and threatened to take away certification. It's gone away, and we're seeing many of them becoming more sophisticated and create the wealth that it takes to kill many ills in the minority community."

MMSDC launched in 2015 what it calls its Transformation Project to help automakers and large suppliers identify well-positioned minority-owned enterprises capable of sustainable growth in hopes they become major players in the industry.

"Buyers are using fewer suppliers, that's a reality, so we've got to focus on the minority businesses that are scalable," Robinson said. "We're working with the major automakers in the region to identify, grow and groom these companies now to create an ecosystem where MBEs are using other MBEs throughout the supply chain."

Robinson predicts in the next two years a group of up to 15 suppliers will be part of the program, building the minority-supply base below them.

"They will have their own leverage to build this community," she said. "No one will be buying products from them because they are minority status, but because they are a great company that happens to be a minority-owned."

Redford Township-based supplier Piston Group, owned by former Detroit Pistons guard Vinnie Johnson, is a recent example of a minority-owned supplier transitioning from a commodity enterprise into a full-fledged manufacturer.

With the help of Ford Motor Co., Piston closed on a $175 million acquisition of Takata Corp. subsidiary Irvin Automotive Inc. in September 2016. The deal made Piston the largest minority-owned supplier in the region with expectations to reach revenue of $2.8 billion by 2018, nearly five times the size of the business in 2012 at $570 million.

Piston has been growing with contracts from Ford and others in recent years. In 2012, Johnson's other entity, V. Johnson Enterprises LLC, announced the formation of a new joint venture with Valeo SA called Detroit Thermal Systems LLC.

Expansion with Ford is expected to continue this year with the addition of lithium-ion battery pack assembly. Piston will assemble packs from LG Chem and Panasonic for use in Ford's plug-in-electric vehicle lineup before extending to its battery-electric vehicles, Johnson told Crain's.

The supplier also planned to open two new plants in the next 12 months, supporting FCA US LLC and Toyota Motor Corp.

Dave Andrea, executive vice president of research for Ann Arbor-based nonprofit Center for Automotive Research, said more and more minority-owned suppliers are beginning to move toward true manufacturing capabilities, opposed to assembly operations, like Piston once focused on, which are more susceptible to cuts in a car sales downturn.

"For many years, automakers didn't focus on the customer-supplier relationship; the focus was on securing a prescribed number of what the minority spend should be for the purchasing group," Andrea said. "This overwhelmed a lot of minority suppliers and overextended them, dangerously. Now there's less focus on the service side of the minority spend and more concentration on the true value-added manufacturing companies. Any large supplier or automaker will be under pressure to consolidate the supply base with the ups and downs of the cycle. These minority suppliers are now beginning to hold themselves up with core qualities, and that's how you keep yourself in the supply chain with the customers."

Reducing its offerings from seven business lines to only two total waste management and industrial cleaning did just that for MPS Group. It also centralized its purchasing department, saving the company $1.4 million in 18 months.

"Our strategy became protect what we're good at and improve performance," Schwartz said. "Now we're established in automotive and now we can do more to diversify into other industries."

MPS Group is currently bidding on contracts for companies in the pharmaceutical, natural gas and oil refinery industries.

"When we started this process, we walked away from revenue," Schwartz said. "That isn't happening anymore because we're in the right businesses with the right customers."

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New model bolsters minority-owned firms - Crain's Detroit Business

Homeowners looking for new carpeting in Coral Springs and Plantation FL can now look to Sawgrass Floors for both installation and care.

This press release was orginally distributed by ReleaseWire

Coral Springs, FL -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/30/2017 -- Beautiful homes are created and not just built. As much as the exterior is important, the interior and decor of any home play a crucial role in adding value to the property. Though hardwood flooring has always been the first preference of homeowners, the choice to go with carpeting in Coral Springs and Plantation Florida is not considered bad. If budget, ease of care and maintenance are to be taken into account, then carpet installation in Davie and Coral Springs Florida is a good option. Sawgrass Floors is the right place to turn to for assistance with carpet installation.

Experts working with Sawgrass Floors are of the opinion that carpet installation in Davie and Coral Springs Florida is comfortable and relatively affordable. It is very easy to install, replace and clean. The carpet feels soft under the feet, but it is stain resistant as well as highly durable. Sawgrass Floors offers an array of textures, colors, and patterns to choose from to create a dream room. They will help one to find the perfect combination of look, price, and performance.

As a flooring company, Sawgrass Floors are well aware of the service they provide. Though much of their clients speak high about the excellent hardwood floor installation that they carry out perfectly, Sawgrass Floors can help with choosing and installation of beautiful carpets with perfection too. Sawgrass Floors carries frieze, level loop, and textured carpets and high-quality padding that serves to enhance and extend the life of the carpet. These four main types of carpet are still the most popular forms of modern flooring sold today. They also offer outdoor carpeting for areas such as patios.

Call 877-696-4109 for free estimates.

About Sawgrass Floors Sawgrass Floors is one of the choicest companies for flooring solutions. From hardwood flooring, to tiles and laminate flooring, the company also provides carpeting in Coral Springs and Plantation FL.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/sawgrass-floors-adds-carpet-installation-to-their-list-of-services-in-davie-and-coral-springs-florida-847028.htm

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Sawgrass Floors Adds Carpet Installation to Their List of Services in Davie and Coral Springs Florida - Digital Journal

A project intended to spice up downtown has instead stunk it up, say some who spend time near the city's pop-up park on Curtis Street and Santa Cruz Avenue.

The pop-up park is a temporary installation of a large astroturf carpet and some lawn furniture, including brightly colored Adirondack chairs. Over the last two years, it has been rolled out downtown perpendicular to Santa Cruz Avenue previously on Chestnut Street, and now on Curtis Street. The mini-park takes up roughly an entire block and eliminates vehicle access and parking there.

Loren Dakin, whose office at 1075 Curtis St. abuts the park, has a front-row seat to observe the park's frequent desecration by people's pets.

He called the park a health hazard and told the Almanac he's seen both dogs relieve themselves and toddlers eat Cheerios off the ground at the park.

In August, he paid for tests to be conducted at the mini-park by Patriot Environmental Laboratory Services Inc., which has an office in San Jose. The tests showed elevated coliform bacteria levels at three spots on the astroturf.

E. coli, a particularly dangerous coliform bacteria, was not found. Coliform bacteria are associated with sewage or fecal contamination.

On Aug. 22, he presented the council with the test findings of the investigation. "It's a cesspool," he said.

Bill Frimel, who also works in the building at 1075 Curtis St., said that human trash and waste can also be observed at the park. He noted that in addition to public health concerns, he is frequently disturbed from his work by frustrated drivers cutting through the parking lot, new noise from kids and street performers, and transient people who spend time at the park night and day.

A smattering of other people spoke at the Aug. 22 council meeting in favor of removing the park and restoring the street to its former use.

Bob McNamara, a former councilman and mayor, told the council: "Many residents, business owners and retailers have told me the park has had a negative impact on the adjacent area. ... These are the very people in the community that you're trying to help, so you should trust their perspective."

Mr. Frimel also said the park is maintained regularly by city staff and that the astroturf was seen being power-washed on Aug. 30.

The matter has not yet been scheduled for council discussion, City Manager Alex McIntyre said Aug. 31.

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Originally posted here:
Menlo Park: Tests show elevated bacteria levels at pop-up mini-park downtown - The Almanac Online

Selectmen flatly rejected a proposal to add individual computer monitors to the boards desk as part of a proposed remodeling of the groups town hall meeting room.

Chairman Susan L. Moran worried the computers would isolateor appear to isolatethe board from residents in attendance. Monitors disrupt selectmens line of sight with taxpayers and potentially hurt attempts at increasing community engagement, she said.

Its not a good idea from the board of selectmens perspective to not be engaged with the audience, Ms. Moran said.

The objection arose at the boards Monday, August 28, meeting as Assistant Town Manager Peter Johnson-Staub outlined potential upgrades to the room. A working group composed of Mr. Johnson-Staub, former selectman Mary (Pat) Flynn, town information technology director Valerie OConnor, executive director and president of Falmouth Community Television Debra Rogers, and town facilities director Shardell Newton undertook the redesign effort.

Among the changes, Mr. Johnson-Staub proposed an L shaped desk rather than the oval currently used by the various municipal boards meeting in the room. The configuration allows town staff members to sit at the desk rather than a folding table, giving them a more professional look. A portion could be removed to fit in additional audience seating, he said.

A suggestion to make the desk narrower by a foot drew criticism from selectmen who worried the reduction in size would render it more difficult for committee members to review documents, particularly project design plans.

Although Mr. Johnson-Staub argued that increasingly more developers are digitizing draft plans, selectmen still preferred a deeper desk.

Selectmen also raised concerns about employing large monitors for presentations. The draft proposal called for a large screen behind the boards desk and a smaller, side monitor for audience viewing. Officials could add a rear-wall screen if necessary, said Mr. Johnson-Staub, as well as one outside the chamber and another in an audience overflow room.

Presentations, controlled from a computer installed at the speakers podium, could be displayed on the monitors, he said. The system would replace the existing projector.

Selectman Samuel H. Patterson wondered where the town seal and two flags would go if a monitor were installed behind the desk, telling the assistant town manager that those are pretty important icons to this town.

Vice chairman Megan E. English Braga asked whether laser pointers could be used during presentations. Mr. Johnson-Staub said with a monitor-based system, the presenter would use a computer cursor to highlight important items on the display screens.

Selectmen noted that during particularly popular meetings, the rear of the chamber becomes standing room only, potentially blocking off view of any monitor placed along that wall.

Mr. Johnson-Staub admitted that audience members bumping into the screens could be a potential problem.

In all, the renovations are estimated to cost between $35,000 and $53,000, depending on the choice of materials and equipment. Mr. Johnson-Staub said more than $20,000 from cable franchise fees and $42,040 from an agreement with Comcast would cover the cost.

More than $130,000 from the cable account would pay for upgrades to the cameras and audio equipmentused by FCTV to record and broadcast meetingsinstalled in the room, he said.

After acknowledging the amount of work leading up to the draft, Ms. Moran suggested Mr. Johnson-Staub phase in the alterations. Ms. English Braga also asked that reactions be solicited from the other boards that use the room for meetings.

We really are for less comfort and more on the facilitating of communication, Ms. Moran said.

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Remodeling Of Falmouth Selectmen's Meeting Room Planned - CapeNews.net