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The city of Hazleton will use a $350,000 state gaming grant for replacing windows and completing roof and masonry repairs at City Hall.

The much-needed overhaul began taking shape with the arrival of warmer temperatures in recent weeks and includes work to replace 45 aged windows on the first and second floors with energy-efficient materials, said Dominic Yannuzzi, of Alfred Benesch & Co., the citys contracted engineering firm.

Additional upgrades include the installation of air conditioning units in the upper levels of Council Chambers, masonry repairs and a re-coating of the roof, he said.

The upgrades should lead to improvements in controlling the climate in Council Chambers, which fluctuates with the weather and creates an uncomfortable atmosphere in extreme heat and cold, Yannuzzi said.

Theyre going to help with reducing heat loss in the winter and reduce heat gain inside of City Hall in the summer, he said.

Improvements should also eliminate leaks and address a deteriorated section of the ceiling directly behind a seating area reserved for city council members, Yannuzzi said.

The city secured a $350,000 gaming grant from Luzerne Countys Local Share Account in late 2015 for the project, Yannuzzi said.

Contracts were awarded last year and additional time was needed for ordering and manufacturing the windows, the engineer said.

Oakridge Construction, Drums, is installing windows while Hudak Waterproofing and Masonry Restoration, Taylor, will complete roofing and masonry upgrades.

Approximately 45 windows will be replaced throughout the project, including a large set on the west side of City Hall, Yannuzzi said.

Officials evaluated conditions of existing windows and opted to replace the worst of the lot, he said.

Crews will replace windows that are between 30 and 40 years old, he said.

The majority of the project consists of window replacement, but Yannuzzi said some money has been earmarked for masonry and roof repairs.

The grant wasnt large enough to pay for an entire roof replacement so the city opted to repair sections while re-sealing the entire roof, he said.

It basically is repairing bad areas and re-coating the roof to be able to extend the life for a few more years until the city can receive additional funding to do a total re-roof, he said. Were going to look at alleviating the leaks.

Scaffolding towered over desks and chairs inside Council Chambers earlier this week and a thin layer of dust coated furniture inside the room.

The project will be completed next month, Yannuzzi said.

Contact the writer: sgalski@standardspeaker.com; 570-501-3586

Continued here:
New windows, repairs coming to City Hall - Standard Speaker

The high court's ruling on Friday reinstates the class-action lawsuit brought by four Idaho residents who said they were denied the right to a fair trial because of Idaho's underfunded and faulty public defense system.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - The Idaho Supreme Court says a lawsuit over Idaho's faulty public defense system can move forward against all the defendants except one: Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter.

The high court's ruling on Friday reinstates the class-action lawsuit brought by four Idaho residents who said they were denied the right to a fair trial because of Idaho's underfunded and faulty public defense system.

A lower court judge dismissed the case after the judge said he believed it would violate the separation of powers to require adequate state funding.

The American Civil Liberties Union-Idaho promptly appealed on behalf of the plaintiffs.

The Idaho Supreme Court said the ACLU does have the right to sue the state government over the problems. But the justices said the governor shouldn't be named as a defendant because he wasn't the cause.

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Idaho high court revives lawsuit over lousy public defense - KBOI-TV

MERIDEN After a heated debate on the possibility of violating the city charter to extend the deadline for adopting a budget, the Finance Committee voted to send City Manager Guy Scaifes latest budget revision with a 40.45 mill rate to the City Council.

The $194.9 million spending plan is more than $3.5 million above what Scaife originally proposed in March. The latest version strikes $223,000 from the citys capital fund, including cutting a proposed camera system to broadcast municipal meetings, softball field upgrades and window replacement at a Public Works building.

Scaife noted the hardships of compiling the budget, citing the recent revaluation which reduced the grand list by nearly 4 percent, and over $4.6 million in fixed increases such as contractual raises, debt service payments and pension contributions.

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The latest budget is a $3.5 million tax increase, Scaife said, noting the figure falls over $1 million below the citys fixed cost increases.

An alternate mill rate of 39.8 could be achieved by lowering the budget by $1.75 million which would mean cutting between 17 and 23 jobs, Scaife said. Scaife recommended violating city charter by waiting a month to enact the budget until more is known about state funding, calling the budget deadline arbitrary.

Theres no penalty if you dont adhere to (the deadline), but what I find challenging is it is really in the publics best interest to adhere to a date that has no operation impact if we delay it several weeks because at the end of the day what we all want is a mill rate that is respectful of what the public can absorb but also tries to deal with our strategic and technical needs, Scaife said. My fear is if we go forward without state revenues and lock in on a number, it could be excessive and we would have had to do severe cuts that would have not been necessary with a (different) budget or the number could be even worse, we would have needed to make deeper cuts due the state, due to their financial dilemma, cut us worse than what was expected.

Several Democratic councilors vehemently opposed the idea, including Majority Leader Brian Daniels. You are setting a precedent of intentionally violating the charter that sets forth a lot of what the powers and responsibility for the city are. You do it for this then someone says ... lets just violate the charter (next year), Daniels said. We have a city charter. Its a legal document that binds the power and responsibility for the people that run the city.

Republican and We the People councilors were open to delaying the process, including Walter Shamock, Lenny Rich, Bob Williams and Joseph Carabetta III. Im for it. Why wouldnt we? Theres no consequences to us making that decision so in that respect I would like to have more information, Rich said. We got time, whats the rush? Why are we mandated by a council thats not in business any more?

The charter, if it was so important, they would have made a penalty.

A motion to violate the charter and delay the process ultimately failed.

Finance Committee Chairman Miguel Castro, a Democrat, shared several proposed changes that had been discussed in caucus, which included reducing the citys Capital Improvement Project budget by $1.2 million by shifting several big ticket items to the fiscal year 2018-19 budget, including a $750,000 fire truck. Castro then shared a list of items that were below Scaifes proposed $50,000 capital bonding threshold to moved from the capital equipment budget to CIP.

The Committee did not act on those changes, however, opting to leave it up for discussion at the full City Council meeting next week. The Committee then voted to send Scaifes revised $194.9 million budget to the City Council.

By charter, the City Council must vote on the budget Monday to meet its deadline.

ltauss@record-journal.com 203-317-2231 Twitter: @LeighTaussRJ

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Meriden Finance Committee sends budget with 40.45 mill rate to Council - Meriden Record-Journal

Montana schools watch push for...

MISSOULA, Mont. - For Frenchtown School District Superintendent Randy Cline it is a story eight years in the making. It's also a story that could drag on far longer than it has already. With the Montana infrastructure bill failing to pass the State House by two votes on Thursday, the $426,408 Frenchtown is requesting is in jeopardy once again.

This is the fourth time Cline has requested the money to replace the aging and inefficient windows at Frenchtown Elementary. Staff say windows show up with new cracks all the time. The windows also help make it toasty in the summer and frigid in the winter.

Rather than replacing the whole heating a cooling system, which would probably cost near $1 million Cline opted to ask for window replacement starting four legislative sessions -- 8 years -- ago.

"We were very close to getting it funded the first year, but then we've dropped further down the (priority) list, as there's been more infrastructure needs in schools that have become more important," says Cline.

The Frenchtown request is now 39th out of 50 approved projects that could be funded by bonds if the bill passes. However, that's become less likely, as the amount of money set aside for school projects dropped from $30 million when the bill was first introduced to just $16.3 million.

The total bill will fund about $80 million for sewer, road and school projects as well as the Montana Veterans Home. Other schools higher on the priority list for funding include St. Ignatius, Stevensville, and Polson. Stevensville is looking for close to $2 million.

Read the latest version of the bill here.

Some legislators have tried to lower the cost of the infrastructure bills this session, arguing that school improvements were not as essential as roads, sewers and bridges in a tight budget environment.

Originally the Frenchtown window project cost north of $500,000, but around $150,000 was used to replace the windows in worst shape in 2016. That money was part of a $750,000 levy that passed by just 10 votes in late 2015. Cline says if the state money doesn't come through he will continue to scrape up money here and there to replace the windows gradually.

Cline says he would rather the legislature take on a little debt now than have to deal with the ever-growing pile of infrastructure problems in schools down the road.

"Just because you ignore it doesn't mean it will go away," he says.

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Montana schools watch last minute push for infrastructure bill - NBC Montana

Apr 25, 2017 - (Newswire)

Many would think that there is nothing to consider when it comes to window replacement in Fitchburg WI. In reality, there is. If you have the need for replacing a window, then you have to think of getting the correct design. Just putting any window in the place of the existing one will not serve the purpose. Windows are not only for bringing in light and air, but they are also meant for enhancing the beauty of the space. For example, bay windows are appropriate for the living room. The clear glass bay windows look very elegant and enable you to enjoy the outside view without any problems. All the products from Kool View company are of high quality that is designed to last for a long time. The vinyl windows are engineered in a way that it will not only make your home comfortable but also help bring down the energy costs with improved home insulation.

You would always like to work with a company that can provide you with options. When you have chosen Kool View, be assured that you will find what you need. The company offers a variety of replacement windows that matches the interior and the exterior of your home. You can opt for Double Hung Replacement windows which is a common and number one choice with homeowners due to its easy maintenance and tilt in sashes. You can also opt for Bay Replacement windows that projects all natural light opening up a room by creating added dimensions, or you can go for Bow Replacement windows that are a style statement both for the interior and exterior of your home. The bow windows also help in increasing sunlight and space in any room.

Apart from window replacement in Fitchburg WI, Kool View also offers basement remodeling in Madison WI, window tinting, adding Sunrooms and Energy rooms, baths and showers and more.

Call 608-222-7777 for more details.

About The Company

Kool View has been offering their clients high quality, superior and affordable home improvement products since 1973. They can put up Sunrooms, take care of window replacement and also offer basement remodeling in Madison WI.

Original Source: https://www.newswire.com/news/opt-for-timely-window-replacement-in-fitchburg-wi-19373398

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Opt for Timely Window Replacement in Fitchburg WI | WireUpdate ... - WireUpdate

Apr 25, 2017 - (Newswire)

Most homeowners often face a difficult situation when they do not find the window that they want for their home when a window replacement in Pipersville PA is on the cards. Most of them do not even try to find a company that offers options because either they are not interested or they are not aware. There are companies like Window Nerd who can help you in such situations. This time when you are replacing a window in your home, do not settle with just any. Get in touch with the professionals at Window Nerd and ask them for assistance. They will be glad to show you around as they sell and installs a variety of brands from 9 different top-rated window and door manufacturers. They have sourced the best brands of windows from the top manufacturers so that they can meet all the needs of their clients.

When you are working with Window Nerd, you can be assured that the job will be completed with perfection and on time. They will not hurry in fixing things but will pay attention to the details and then carry out the work with care. The installers are all skilled and have knowledge of everything starting from the fine carpentry of wood installations to the new construction vinyl window project. The result will exceed your expectations, and that is a guarantee.

As far as installation cost is concerned, you do not have to pay the entire amount at one go. They collect a very small deposit against the work and take the payment in full only when it is completed. There is no pressure on the clients to take a quick decision. They will give you ample time to think and then decide. They will only start with the job once they feel that the client is ready.

They offer a wide range of window replacement options that include casement window, picture window, double and single hung window, bow window, basement hopper and bay windows with casement in Pipersville PA. Call (215) 355-1954 for more details.

About The Company

Window Nerd is a one stop solution provider for all window replacement needs. The company offers a wide range of window solutions that ranges from casement window, picture window, double and single hung window, bow window, basement hopper and bay windows with casement in Pipersville PA.

Original Source: https://www.newswire.com/news/pick-from-a-wide-range-of-options-when-it-comes-to-window-replacement-19374383

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Pick From a Wide Range of Options When It Comes to Window ... - WireUpdate

Replacement windows may be considered for a new renovation project, especially when it comes to having something that can withstand the severe weather condition.

Petersburg, FL - April 25, 2017 - (Newswire.com)

To cope with the severe weather condition, one has to be little careful about choosing the right kind of windows for the exterior. While a variety of windows available on the market, choosing impact windows in Clearwater & Sarasota FL is the most convenient way to resolve such issues. Stormfitter is one such company that comes up with quality products and services at competitive cost.

To provide the best product and services, they utilize the best window manufacturers for both impact and non-impact designs. Since they started a business, they have been handling door and window replacement in the Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Largo, Tierra Verde, Seminole, Treasure Island, etc. Over the years, they have gathered knowledge and expertise in handling a variety of door and window repair and installation.

They are fully equipped to deliver great customer service in the most professional manner. Customer satisfactions is their biggest reward, and they are fully focused on it. The expert service provided by Stormfitters include repair and installation of exterior doors, front doors, hurricane panels & windows, replacement windows, storm doors and storm panel hurricane shutters and more.

Replacement windows are specially designed to reduce the energy costs and insurance costs, while economically protecting ones property. Automatically, these windows are highly preferred by condominium owner, homeowner, commercial property owner, property manager or builder, and the likes. They will provide their esteemed clients and customers with the best options in quality windows and replacement windows in Tampa Bay area.

They pride themselves on their work and satisfaction that comes from providing their customers with installation services and products that are both elegant, accurate, and strong to provide peace of mind in any weather. The expert designers are efficient in handling custom designs, selling and installing every type of hurricane door, impact door, patio door, entry door, sliding door, exterior door and storm door available in the market.

For more information on replacement windows in Tampa & Sarasota FL, visit http://www.stormfitter.com/products/windows

About the Company:

StormFitters is the clear expert in Hurricane Protection in the 10-county, Tampa Bay market area, specializing in impact & non-impact window replacement, impact sliding doors, door updates, and door replacement, hurricane shutters and every type of severe weather exterior product.

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Original Source: Be at Your Peace by Installing Replacement Windows in Tampa & Sarasota FL

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Be at Your Peace by Installing Replacement ... - Digital Journal - Digital Journal

Apr 25 FEATURE SIDEBAR, Live Local, NEWS & VIEWS No Comments on LIVE LOCAL, LIVE SMALL: Falling in love with the local hardware store, Stevens

LOCAL HARDWARE LOVE: Stevens Hardware on Market Street helped Gwenyfar locate vintage windows for her VW restoration. Photo by Shannon Gentry

Joey Stevens stared at my Volkswagen vent-wing windows for The Argus, my beloved 67 camper-van restoration project. Besides the Stevens Hardware on Dawson that Jock and I frequent, the family has another location up Market Street near the other den of temptation, Sahara Pita and Subs.

How soon do you need this? he asked.

A couple of months? I answered.

I mean, hell, we are three years into the restoration project.

But Joey had other ideas, and I got a phone call the next morning that my VW windows were ready.

Now, before readers roll their eyes at how naive I am, let me explain a little further. The classic no drafts or vent wing windows on VWs are the cute, little triangle windows that kind of turn out at a perpendicular angle from the vehicle. Three years ago, when I started taking the van apart, I pulled the glass out of the metal frames and removed the dry, cracked and nearly dissolved original rubber seals from 1967. Apparently, since I had no guidance, I did this wrong (surprise!). So, I was faced with two metal frames and two pieces of 50-year-old glass I was terrified of breaking if I tried to force it and hit something hard the wrong way.

Sigh.

John Wolfe and I already made an unsuccessful attempt at this in the garage. Then there was the day I waylaid a nice young man who was delivering glass to one of my neighbors. He was polite but definitely convinced I was going to sell him to a group of hippies restoring VWs in small caves somewhere, and he would end his days reinstalling glass on classic vans and bugs at gun point, never to see his family again. He suggested we contact his boss and ran away as fast as his little legs would carry him.

We contacted the boss and were told no-go on VW glass: Try Wolfsburg West!

Ah, the VW parts place Jock theorizes has tracked the progress of this restoration so well, they just send us a random box based on what they assume we must be working on and charge my credit card accordingly.

Well, they dont have the rubber we need (which is shocking because I swear someone could build a VW from scratch from their catalog). But they did offer to reassemble them for me if I shipped them the windowswhich takes service to a whole new level.

But did I mention this was 50-year-old glass? Not sure I want it going through the mail twice.

We tried an auto-glass place. They gave us the run around for six weeks.

Oh, what the hell, I thought. It cant hurt to ask right?

So one afternoon I asked Joey if, since he did window repair, if he might be able to do my VW windows? Oh, and I needed an electric chipper.

Can you show me where mortar repointing supplies are? Teach me how to use the bag for applying mortar before a fine tool? Find this particular size of metric bolt that we lost and match some paint from a paint chip I brought in off the radiator?

Why did I ever go anywhere else? Why?

I remain on a pretty constant high from Stevens. Somehow, they continue to amaze me. I mean, they do screen-door repair! Like many people, I go to the hardware store on a mission and dont really wander around to find out what all is offeredI just focus on the essential item that brought me in that day. One day, while visiting with Beauthe stunningly handsome young canine who works behind the front counter at StevensI learned they offer screen-door repair. (Dont tell my dogs, Horace and Hilda, but Beau is one of my favorite reasons for visiting. I mean, he is a real heart-melter. Sigh.)

In due course, Austin and I dropped off the screen door from the front porch of my childhood home. It had seen better days. For the last seven years, it had been stored in an area that regularly flooded from storms. The screen was ripped, the trim broken. It was a mess.

You know you could just buy a replacement screen door? A well-intentioned neighbor asked while watching us load it.

Well, no. I cant. I could make a replacement screen door, but this is a historic house. Nothing is standard on it. Nothing. After 120 years, nothing is square, either.

More importantly, this is the door that belongs to the house. No, I dont just replace it on a whim. Breakage? Possibly. Destruction? Yes. (Hosana, our Husky-Lab mix, ate three screen doors during the first two years of her life.) But to replace for some sense of convenience or a change of mind? Not me.

Did you know this was originally brass screen? Heather asked me a couple of days later at Stevens.

I shook my head. I guess it just turned black from all the years and dirt. Wow, thats pretty cool.

A few days later, I picked up an almost brand-new door. The screen was repaired, the anti-warping mechanism repaired, the trim replaced, the brass grill behind the lower screen reinstalled, and it looked brand new. All for about $40. But the care and consideration that clearly went into it is priceless.

How long have you been shopping at Stevens? John asked me on our way back to the garage after one of our many trips to Stevens that week.

I guess as long as I have been with Jock? So 14 years? Since they were still on Castle Street. Why? I looked at John in surprise.

Its just unusual to have that long a relationship with a hardware store, John observed.

Jock introduced me to the world of Stevens, and I have to admit I fell in love immediately. But it was when we began the renovation of the new building for the bookstore in 2010 that I began to feel like I had taken up residence. Around that time, they moved to their new location on Dawson, which allowed for an expansion and a more central location. But the important things stayed the same, like the great, knowledgable, helpful staff. Full Belly Project keeps an account with Stevens that gets billed monthlywhich means that when Jock wakes up with an idea at 3 a.m., after five hours in the shop, he can be at the front door when the hardware store opens without having to remember where he put his wallet in the heat of invention.

Ive been thinking about Johns comment, and for Stevens, its not an unusual relationship. Since the 1930s they have been part of life in Wilmington. They continue to do business the same way: with sincerity and decency. Thats why it is not unusual that many people have been shopping with them for much longer than 14 years.

Of course, getting to scratch Beaus ears is also a draw.

castle streetDawson Streetencore magazineFull Belly ProjectGwenyfar RohlerJock BrandisLive Local Live SmallStevens HardwareThe ArgusVolkswagenWilmington NCWolfsburg West

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LIVE LOCAL, LIVE SMALL: Falling in love with the local hardware store, Stevens - encore Online

Come See Sonoran Living Live!

Sonoran Living is looking for LIVE studio audiences! Reservations are available for FREE via e-mail: slviewers@abc15.com.

Taping schedule:The show airs live daily. Currently we are only booking audiences for the first Friday of the month. Sign up for our audience!Please send us an email with name(s), date you would like to be in the audience, contact person, e-mail and contact phone number.

What are the age requirements?You must be 18 years or older to attend a taping of Sonoran Living Live.

Should I bring my ID to the studio?Yes, you must have a valid photo ID to enter the studio.

How many seats can I reserve?Group tickets are available.

How long will the taping last?The show will air live for one hour from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

What time do I need to arrive for the taping?8:30 a.m. Late-comers will not be admitted.

Where is the studio?ABC15 Studios,515 N. 44th Street, Phoenix, AZ

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Renewal by Andersen discusses the biggest misconception about replacement windows - ABC15 Arizona

BM Windows, an independent replacement window and door company in San Diego, California, reported recently that the first quarter of 2017 was the best first quarter in company history. What is more, it was also one of the best quarters ever for the growing company, having worked with more than 100 San Diego area families for replacement windows and doors during that period.

BM Windows has seen steady growth in the past several years, even moving into a new facility last year with a larger warehouse, more office space, and a larger showroom to accommodate the increased business. They have also hired additional office staff and installation teams to handle the additional volume of work and to make sure all of their customers receive the exceptional level of service for which the San Diego company is known.

Michal Bohm, owner and founder of BM Windows, had this to say about his companys growth, We are very pleased with this years first quarter sales numbers. Typically, the summer is the busiest time in the replacement window industry in Southern California, but this winter was one of the best quarters weve had in terms of the number of replacement windows and doors sold and the number of San Diego households we served.

Bohm continued, We attribute our companys continued success to the hard work and dedication of our employees, as well as to our loyal customers who are constantly referring our company to their friends, families, and neighbors. As an independent, locally owned replacement window company, we appreciate each and every referral and work hard to maintain our high standards of service, even as our business continues to grow. As the owner, I make sure to stay intimately involved in the companys operations and constantly provide my staff with training in the areas of window and door installation and customer service.

BM Windows also recently reached the milestone of having received more than 100 five-star reviews on Yelp, the popular business review site. Many of the customer reviews cite the companys excellent customer service, quality products, and competitive pricing as the reasons for their high ratings.

About BM Windows

BM Windows is a San Diego replacement window and patio door company specializing in vinyl retrofit products that perform well in coastal climates. The company was established with an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction and follows a simple philosophydeliver high-quality products and service at affordable prices, without the hassle of high-pressure sales presentations. BM Windows has completed thousands of replacement window and door installations throughout San Diego County and was recently named one of the Fastest Growing Dealers by Door & Window Market Magazine. BM Windows was also named Dealer of the Year by Window & Door Magazine for excellence in customer service. Learn more about BM Windows at https://www.bmwindowsca.com/.

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BM Windows in San Diego Reports Best First Quarter in Company History - Broadway World