Jerry Ludwig 8:02 a.m. ET April 8, 2017

Even vinyl and aluminum do not last forever and have needed to be replaced after a number of years.(Photo: Jamie Germano/@jgermano1/file photo)Buy Photo

Dear Jerry:I have read your column in the Democrat and Chronicle for years and was wondering if I could get your thoughts on vinyl versus aluminum versus wood replacement trim.

The house was built in 1978 and the trim boards are beginning to rot so will not hold stain. We will be getting vinyl soffits and fascia and the contractor will wrap window trim with aluminum.

One contractor wants to replace trim work on the face of house with Louisiana Pacific LP Smart Trim, which will need to be painted. Another contractor suggested wrapping trim in vinyl. I want to maintain the design of house and have a quality job done that will last a long time.

Thank you.

D.M., via email

Unfortunately, many homes built from the 1960s into the 1980s have suffered from deteriorating exterior siding and trim. Deterioration of hardboard siding, oriented strand board siding, fast growth wood trim coupled with improper priming and installation have made houses of this vintage prime targets for new exterior siding and trim. Even vinyl and aluminum do not last forever and have needed to be replaced after a number of years.

First, let me say that I do not recommend covering any material that has rot or decay with another material. Best to remove it and start over. You didnt say what the siding material on the house is, but it appears that will remain and the trim is the main issue.

LP Smart Trim is an engineered composite material made from wood byproducts and rosins. Reviews have been generally positive, and it is lighter than cement board. Yes, it does need to be painted (as does fiber cement board). Critically important with both of these materials is proper installation. Slight gaps between siding ends must be left when installing the siding and filled with proper caulking.

As with products in the past, failure of the product was largely due to improper installation and maintenance.

Wrapping trim in aluminum is OK, if the trim is sound. However, improper installation of aluminum can permit water to seep behind it, leading to decay of the wood underneath. And, as I mentioned earlier, covering decayed trim with aluminum is only asking for trouble.

Jerry Ludwig(Photo: File photo)

Again, not knowing what the siding currently is puts me at a disadvantage. You mentioned that the trim was stained. Is the siding wood and also stained, perhaps cedar? If so, I would replace the trim with cedar.

On the other hand, if the siding is painted wood, and if it was my house and the siding was in good repair, I think I would choose a fiber cement trim. A cellular PVC material such as AZEK is also an option. Fiber cement will need to be painted, but holds paint very well. AZEK is available in a variety of colors, but may need to be recoated at some point. If possible, I would replace any window trim with one of these materials rather than wrap it in aluminum. Again, your choice will somewhat depend upon what the current house siding is.

Whatever material you choose, make sure that your contractor states in writing that the material will be installed according to the manufacturers specifications. Also, check to see if the contractor is certified or otherwise qualified to install the product. If there is a warranty issue with the material, it is usually due to improper installation.

After the column on the loud laundry pump valve (March 25, 2017), several wrote me to ask where they could find a silent check valve. C.M. wrote to say: I went to Debbie Supply in East Rochester, and they have several sizes of spring loaded PVC check valves. With a couple of adaptors and two rubber couplings this made a unit that I installed in the drain line of our noisy sump pump. End result is that the problem has been SOLVED! No more water hammer! Finally, the cost of the check valve was $13.99 plus tax (not including the cost of couplings and PVC). Thanks, and congratulations!

Jerry Ludwig is a former contractor and home inspector. He is an honorary member of the American Institute of Architects. Email your house questions tojludwig@rochester.rr.comor write him at P.O. Box 25510, Rochester, NY 14625. Please include the year your house was built and the town where you live.

Read or Share this story: http://on.rocne.ws/2oiVgJN

Visit link:
Home improvement: Vinyl, aluminum, wood window trims compared - Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Even when closed, your windows and doors may be more open than you realize, letting warm air escape in winter and heat to enter in summer. That's because leaky windows and poorly sealed doors are vulnerable spots for energy waste, resulting in higher utility bills.

New windows and doors can be expensive, so it's important to determine when a repair make sense and when replacement is the right choice. According to the Minnesota Commerce Department, simple maintenance and inexpensive repairs can extend the life of windows and doors, delaying the need for replacement.

Here are some common window and door problems, with fixes that can improve durability and performance:

Damaged components. Cracked or missing panes of glass in doors and windows are obvious locations for leakage and energy loss. Replacement is best, but sealing with caulking can be a good temporary fix. Older windows may use a glazing compound (putty) to hold the glass to the frame.

Defective air-sealing. The gap between jamb and framing may be empty or stuffed with fiberglass insulation. Gently removing inside trim will reveal this space, allowing for application of a window and door spray foam product or caulking. A quick and inexpensive fix for leaky windows can be the application of shrink-wrapped film on the inside.

Loose or missing hardware. Latches, hinges, and the operating parts for crank-out windows can become loose or damaged. Often a simple tightening of screws will do the trick.

Improper exterior flashing. Properly installed flashing diverts water to the outside of the siding, preventing intrusion into the wall or window/door unit.

Worn or damaged weather-stripping. Installing effective weather-stripping will conserve energy by preventing air infiltration around windows and doors. You should weather-strip all doors that lead to unheated areas, such as an attic, garage or unheated basement.

You can also improve the energy efficiency of existing windows by adding storm windows, replacing window sashes and installing window treatments or coverings.

Check out the U.S. Department of Energy web pages on windows, doors, and skylights at http://www.energy.gov.

Go here to read the rest:
Don't let your energy dollars go out the window - Southernminn.com

Summer is just around the corner, which means now is the time to get your home ready for sunny days and warm nights. Check out these four ways to get your home summer-ready!

1. Say Goodbye to Winter

Finally, the snow, ice and cold weather are gone. Kick winter out and brighten up your home with summer-related decorations and colorful accessories. Coastal Designer Outlet offers a ton of nautical and beach-themed pillows, lamps, artwork, table decorations and accessories. The store also has brand-name furniture pieces available if youre feeling bold and want to replace more than just the decorations in the room.

The inside of your home isnt the only place leaving winter behind the outside deserves a transformation as well! Add life and color to the exterior of your home with flowers, shrubs and trees from Cape Shore Gardens. If you dont have much of a green thumb, Cape Shore Gardens offers landscape design, construction and maintenance services.

2. Let Summer Inside

We cant deny that summer weather is feel-good weather. When the sunshine and fresh air finally arrive, embrace them by letting them inside with a storm or screen door. Wildwood Glass specializes in creating customized storm door panels and screens so you can enjoy the beautiful outdoors from the comfort of your home. If you already have a storm door but the screen is broken or the glass is cracked, Wildwood Glass can fix it!

Window Genie can help you bring summer into your entire house! Window Genie can get all of your windows squeaky clean and crystal clear in no time, bringing maximum sunlight and outdoor views into every room.

3. Make Outdoor Repairs

Its finally time to live outdoors, which means its time to tackle those outdoor projects youve been putting off all winter. Although there are probably multiple to dos on your repair list, put your deck or patio at the top. Summer calls for backyard barbeques and bonfires, therefore its important to make sure your deck or patio is safe by making any necessary repairs. If your deck didnt withstand the harsh winter conditions, Town Bank Builders can build you a high-quality, custom deck for entertaining your family and friends.

Next on the list should be your fence. Its time to let the kids and pets loose in the yard, but first make sure theres no way they can get out. Inspect your fence and fix any parts that Old Man Winter got to, and be sure to reinforce any loose posts. If your fence is in need of a replacement, Murphy Fence Company offers a variety of fence types and products to meet your fence needs.

4. Stay Cool

Hanging outside in the summertime is fun, but when the heat starts to get to you, its time to step into your cool home. Make sure your air conditioning system is ready for those hot summer days. Bowmans Cooling and Heating can perform a spring check up and make sure your A/C runs at peak efficiency once summer rolls around. If youre still experiencing problems after maintenance and repair, Bowmans offers free estimates for replacement systems and new installations, and can help you design the perfect cooling solution to fit your home and budget.

Once your A/C is ready to go, you want to make sure the cool air stays inside your home. Atlantic Insulation & Construction Services (A.I.C.S.) uses spray foam insulation to keep that air inside by covering the holes, cracks and crevices that often allow the air to escape. Plus, less cool air escaping means lower energy bills!

Read more here:
4 Ways to Prepare Your Home For Summer - Cape May County Herald

So, the Home Renovation Initiative (HRI) is going to be even more popular and it was extended (no pun intended) in the last budget until December 31, 2018. This week, I'm looking at how it works and what you need to do before you start making like Dermot Bannon.

The HRI is a Revenue-based scheme, ie, it is a VAT refund based on certain conditions. Since it was launched in 2013, over 1.2bn has been returned to taxpayers availing of the initiative, with 77,000 home improvement works carried out. This is an average spend of 16,000 per project, and kitchen extensions, attic conversions and maintenance works are the most popular. Of course, it also helps the beleaguered construction sector too.

how it works l For works costing between 4,405 and 30,000 (before VAT), you get the added VAT refunded to you over two years. VAT is charged at 13.5pc for building works, so the return is 595-4,050, depending on what you spend.

l The refund is not made in one go. If you pay the bill in 2017, the tax refund starts for PAYE workers in 2018, payable over 24 months. It is done via annual tax returns for the self-employed.

l It's important to note that you must be a taxpayer to get tax relief. This may exclude those outside the tax net, eg those living on the state pension alone, even if they pay USC.

l It is not possible for someone else (eg an adult child), to pay for the works and claim the relief. It must be the homeowner.

l For those already qualifying, if you lose your job, or suffer a loss of income, Revenue will still pay you the refund, but has the right to do so over a longer period.

The Rules - HomeOwners

l You must be up to date with your Property Tax.

l The spend must be exclusively on "Repair, Renovation or Improvement works", although the list of qualifying builds is quite extensive (see table), including landscaping and window replacement, for instance. You cannot get VAT back on soft furnishings, white goods etc, but painting and decorating is allowed.

l Your contractor(s) must be registered for HRI and you both apply online with Revenue (revenue.ie). The website also has a list of registered builders, so you can see immediately if they are on it.

l You must give the contractor your Property ID (from your LPT form). l Always get multiple quotes and references from contractors. Ask if all materials are included, and if not, what you need to supply yourself (if you buy paint or tiles for instance, you cannot claim VAT back. If they supply it, you can.) l From January 2016 landlords can also apply under the scheme. l If you are also applying for a SEAI grant (eg for insulation or a boiler), three times the grant amount is deducted from the HRI application before you claim. Most people will treat both separately and not claim the VAT on grant-aided works, but do the maths yourself.

The Rules - Contractors

l A HRI qualifying contractor must be registered with Revenue.

l Professionals such as architects, solicitors, surveyors etc, who charge VAT on services at 23pc do not qualify. l Multiple contractors can be used but the entire job must be within cost limits.

Follow this link:
Window of opportunity to make most of tax initiatives - Irish Independent

INDIANAPOLIS Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill announced Friday a new campaign aimed at protecting Hoosiers from fraudulent business practices in the wake of severe weather that leaves homes, vehicles or other property damaged.

Double check before you write a check is the latest consumer protection strategy from the Office of the Indiana Attorney General, safeguarding Hoosiers from individuals posing as roofing, tree-removal and window-replacement companies, among other types of restoration and repair businesses.

When severe weather rips through Indiana, the damage can be significant," Hill said. "In the worst cases, the devastation can be heartbreaking. Many Hoosiers face the stress of out-of-pocket costs to make repairs to personal property. No Hoosier should face the additional nightmare of becoming the victim of a scam.

"This spring and summer, I strongly urge all Hoosiers to double check a companys name, reputation, history and authenticity before writing a check to a person claiming to represent such a business.

In the aftermath of storms that leave destruction in their paths, property owners are vulnerable -- making perfect targets for scammers pretending to offer help cleaning up wreckage and making necessary repairs. Many people will attempt to reach out and offer a helping hand. With this comes the likelihood that restoration or home repair companies some legitimate, some not will also try to contact those affected the most.

Hill advised Hoosiers to do their due diligence and avoid letting the emotional toll of the situation influence their decisions about repairing or replacing what is damaged or lost. It is often wise to be skeptical of anyone immediately offering their services.

Hill offered several tips to Hoosiers: Avoid agreeing to any repair or restoration work on the spot during initial contact with someone offering services this includes contracts. Avoid signing any legally binding agreements without first gathering information and researching a business being represented. Obtain information about the individual offering his or her services. Research the company the individual claims to represent. Look for signs of credibility such as an official website. Seek reviews and testimonials from former customers.

The best decision is an informed decision, Hill said. Double check before you write a check.

The Consumer Protection Division (CPD) of the Office of the Indiana Attorney General receives complaints every year when severe weather causes damage. The most common complaints are those against storm chasers" -- people who show up after severe weather events.

Storm chasers often offer to come back and make repairs to damage that doesnt require such repairs or doesnt exist at all. A common example is a storm chaser who tells a resident their roof needs repaired or replaced when in fact it isnt even damaged. The storm chasers will tell the resident a cost and offer to come back and do the work if a portion or all of the cost is paid up front prior to any repairs taking place. Once the consumer has paid, the scammer does not return to complete the job.

In 2016, the CPD received 16 storm chaser complaints.

The failure to perform a contract is a complaint received by the CPD that is similar to storm chaser scams. In this scenario, a person offering a service or the service of a company will agree to complete repairs that are actually needed -- such as replacing the siding or windows on a house. They will request a portion or all of the cost up front and even provide a contract for the agreed-upon repairs and cost. However, once the scammer receives the payment up front, he or she never returns -- and the consumer is left without the money they paid or the repairs they needed.

In 2016, the CPD received 21 failure-to-perform-the-contract complaints.

The most common scam reported after severe weather events in 2016 was the failure to complete a contract. In this situation, a consumer agrees to the necessary work with a person or the company that person claims to represent -- and a portion or all of the cost is paid up front, prior to the repairs. The person will come back to the residence or property and start the agreed-upon repairs or restoration. However, in this scenario, after the work is started, the person or company paid to complete the work does not return, leaving the consumer with repairs that are still needed and no money to have them completed.

In 2016, the CPD received 70 failure-to-complete-the-contract complaints.

Finally, beware of contractors who present contracts that permit them to keep a portion of your insurance money if they negotiate with your insurance company, but then you decide not to use the contractor to perform repairs. The contractor often presents this as a liquidated damages or similarly-worded provision. The Division has seen contractors including this type of provision in their contracts and then using it to justify keeping a significant portion of insurance proceeds, even when they are not selected by the homeowner to perform repairs. Homeowners do not have to agree to these terms. Exercise your control over who performs your repairs and how they are paid. Be ready to refuse to do business with any contractor whose contract terms you do not like.

Hoosiers are encouraged to contact the Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Indiana Attorney General if they believe they have been scammed, or suspect someone may be trying to scam them after a severe weather event. You can reach the CPD by visiting IndianaConsumer.com or calling 1-800-382-5516.

The rest is here:
Attorney General Curtis Hill aims to protect storm victims - Greensburg Daily News

Environmental Protection Agency officials are proposing to eliminate two programs focused on limiting childrens exposure to lead-based paint which is known to cause damage to developing brains and nervous systems.

The proposed cuts, outlined in a 64 page budget memo revealed by The Washington Post on Friday, would roll back programs aimed at reducing lead risks by $16.61 million and more than 70 employees, in line with a broader project by the Trump administration to devolve responsibility for environmental and health protection to state and local governments.

Old housing stock is the biggest risk for lead exposure and the EPA estimates that 38 million U.S. homes contain lead-based paint.

Environmental groups said the elimination of the two programs, which are focused on training workers in the safe removal of lead-based paint and public education about its risks, would make it harder for the EPA to address the environmental hazard.

One of the programs falling under the ax requires professional remodelers to undergo training in safe practices for stripping away old, lead-based paints from homes and other facilities.

The training program for remodelers was set up under a 2010 EPA regulation that aims to reduce exposure to toxic lead-paint chips and dust by requiring renovators to be certified in federally approved methods of containing and cleaning up work areas in homes constructed before 1978.

The rule applies to a broad range of renovations, including carpet removal and window replacement, in homes inhabited by pregnant women and young children.

Some operators in the home renovation industry have criticized the rule as too costly, noting that some customers simply opt to hire contractors who deliberately skirt the federal standards.

Lead is a potent neurotoxin, and particularly harmful to children and the elderly. Its many dangers in gasoline, paint, and drinking water have been scientifically documented over many decades, which has led to stronger regulatory protections.

In a 2014 report, the Centers for Disease Control found that 243,000 children had blood lead levels above the danger threshold and that permanent neurological damage and behavior disorders had been associated at even lower levels of lead exposure.

The most common risk factor is living in a housing unit built before 1978, the year when residential use of lead paint was banned in the United States, the CDC found.

EPA spokeswoman Julia Valentine said in an email that the two programs facing cuts are mature, and that the goal of their elimination is to return the responsibility for funding to state and local entities.

The Lead Risk Reduction Program, which would be cut by $2.56 million and 72.8 full-time equivalent employees, is charged with certifying renovators who work in buildings that may contain lead-based paint and upholding federal safety standards for such projects. Located in the agencys Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, the lead risk reduction program also helps educate Americans about how to minimize their exposure to lead in their homes.

The second cut, a much deeper $ 14.05 million, would zero out grants to state and tribal programs that also address lead-based paint risks.

The basis for the EPA reduction is that states can do this work, but then were going to take away the money were going to give to states, said Jim Jones, who headed the EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, which administers the lead-based paint program, in the Obama years. I think its just one of many examples in that budget of the circular thinking there that just doesnt hold together.

But the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, which represents some of the industrys biggest players, welcomed the plan to abolish the two programs. The associations chief executive, Fred Ulreich said in a statement that the group has long supported moving the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program from EPA down to the individual states.

Fourteen states Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin currently run programs to train contractors how to properly handle renovations involving lead paint, according to the EPAs website. The rest rely on the federal government to provide training.

Ulreich said in his statement that his group believes that the program can be better run and enforcement can be more vigorous the closer it is to the local contractors.

But Ulreich added that the group would object to states who seek to run a lead abatement program. The group has successfully delayed a program in Maryland that goes further than the current federal requirements when it comes to lead paint removal.

Erik Olson, who directs the Natural Resources Defense Councils health program, said in an interview that the move leaves children in dozens of states unprotected.

If the state doesnt have a program, which is true in most states, and if the EPA doesnt have a program, how are you going to have compliance with the lead rules? Olson asked. Basically, this is the guts of the program that protects kids from lead poisoning from paint.

State efforts to reduce lead risks have had mixed results. In 2004, New Jersey created the Lead Hazard Control Assistance Fund, which was supposed to provide loans and grants to homeowners and landlords to help them remove lead-based paint from aging housing stock. The program was supposed to be funded by sales tax revenue from cans of paint, which was expected to be $7 million to $14 million every year.

Instead, over the next dozen years the legislature and Democratic and Republican governors diverted more than $50 million from the fund toward payment of routine bills and salaries.

The EPAs Valentine said in an email that the agency is working towards implementing the presidents budget based on the framework provided by his blueprint and while many in Washington insist on greater spending, EPA is focused on greater value and real results.

Administrator EPA in a more effective, more focused, less costly way as we partner with states to fulfill the agencys core mission, she added.

The cuts to the lead-paint programs would not directly affect EPA programs related to lead in drinking water, as in the case of Flint, Michigan. Those programs fall under the agencys Office of Water. But the EPA memo does propose reducing funding and staff for the agencys drinking water programs as well.

Changes to how the federal government addresses lead paint could affect hundreds of thousands of renovators, noted Remodeling magazine editor in chief Craig Webb.

The latest U.S. Census classified 78,000 firms as being in residential remodeling, with 278,921 employees. But since the 2010 rule also affects many siding, painting and wall covering contractors, as well as individual proprietors, the total number could be much higher.

The EPA announced in November 2016 that they had pursued more than 100 enforcement actions for lead-based paint hazards much of those focused on the nations largest companies.

In 2014, Lowes home improvement chain agreed to pay $500,000 and create a compliance program across its 1,700 stores as part of a settlement agreement with the EPA.

Lowes had failed to provide documentation showing that the contractors it hires to perform renovation projects for Lowes customers had been certified by EPA, had been properly trained, had used lead-safe work practices, or had correctly used EPA-approved lead test kits at renovation sites, the agency charged. (The company did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.)

Later, Sears reached a similar settlement with the agency. Sears also declined to comment for this story.

The National Association of Home Builders has objected to EPAs regulation, charging that it is an inefficient tool for achieving the environmental and health goals of the underlying statute and rule.

On Tuesday, association spokeswoman Elizabeth Thompson said in an email, At this point, it is premature to comment until something official has been announced.

See more here:
Trump's EPA moves to defund programs that protect children from lead-based paint - Press Herald

At the March 27 selectmens meeting, Town Administrator Nina Nazarian suggested removing from the FY18 budget cycle several known capital building projects until a feasibility study is done.

That includes proposed projects at the Princeton Center [fire alarms], Bagg Hall, including determining whether the northwest corner of the building is actually settling, partial repointing of the bricks on some sections of the building, exterior door repairs, window replacement, some roof repair at the Princeton Center building, and roof repair at the public safety building, and an exhaust system for the fire department.

Nazarian is suggesting that $35,000 be added to the $65,000 voters approved at last years annual town meeting earmarked for a Bagg Hall feasibility study, for a total of $100,000. The board of selectmen heard a proposal to complete a building plan for long term improvements for the needs of the departments, said Nazarian. The board of selectmen will prioritize the building plan and work with the advisory committee, she added. Selectmen voted to place the request for the $35,000 on the town meeting warrant. The building study group suggested that money be put into the infrastructure stabilization fund toward future work.

Nazarian said she didnt think it was practical to put pieces of things into that fund and discussed with Phil Connors, building maintenance supervisor, for the best understanding of how long things will last. If we were to start in two years, what would we not do now? she asked. There are tough decisions that need to be made, but were trying to balance this and move forward as a community.

Nazarian suggested that the Sheriffs Community Service Department may be able to do exterior painting of the town hall annex, thus saving approximately $10,000. Officials will ask whether Monty Tech students could work on the roof and trim at the town hall annex, possibly saving $25,000.

Nazarian said the window issue at Bagg Hall is related to the windows on the second floor. The windows on the first floor arent the problem, she said.

Select board chairman Stan Moss suggested removing the $20,000 from the warrant that was earmarked for IT improvements at the library. Lets wait for the IT audit, he said.

Requests for a dump truck for the highway, roof repairs at the library, field drainage and fencing for the softball field and vault restoration continue to be considered for the warrant.

The town counsel budget is expected to increase from $20,000 to $45,200 due to the use of special counsel for the cable franchise issue. Were asking for an additional $10,000 for the snow and ice budget, said Nazarian. This years overage of approximately $55,000 is partially due to the kind of snow, more icy, and limited staffing, requiring the hiring of outside contractors, she added.

Road advisory committee member Bill Holder asked whether funds from the infrastructure stabilization account could be used to help pay costs for the bridge replacement of East Princeton Road.

Dont even think about it, said Moss.

The town is slated to receive a $500,000 grant toward the work, but that leaves a gap of approximately $500,000 to pay for the work.

I recall that if you got the grant money you were going to put off some other road projects to pay for the bridge work, said Nazarian.

Bridges have a life of 75 years, said Holder. We could fund it for a longer period of time rather than take it from the operating budget.

Most towns dont fund much beyond their Chapter 90 funds, said Moss. Weve spent $2 million since 2008 and spent nothing on buildings, he added.

Road reconstruction is listed as an operational expense and the suggestion was made to put it on the warrant as a special article, separate from the highway department operating budget.

The road committee is resistant to that, said Moss.

I would encourage you to keep the $350,000 in the budget, said Holder.

I didnt mean to stir up a hornets nest, said Holder. There just may be a more productive way of borrowing.

Nazarian is recommending an increase in hours [25 to 30] and salary [$36,541 $43,620] for the town accountant. Since shes been here she has demonstrated substantial performance, learned municipal law and has a CPA, said Nazarian. She has increased responsibilities and according to the audit report we need to make improvements.

The change in general government expense has increased by 50 percent since 2015 and this year shows a 42 percent increase, said advisory committee member George Handy. We always talk about sustainability, he said.

The total increase in the FY18 budget is $448,000, said Moss. That would mean 85 cents on the tax rate or an increase of $200 on the average tax for a four percent increase, he added. Available free cash is $610,444.27.

Advisory committee members had several questions regarding increases in the proposed FY 18 budget and Nazarian said she welcomed further analysis and discussion regarding the budget.

Read the original post:
Officials to wait for report before repairing certain buildings - The Landmark

A new nonprofit organization aims to help low-income Carter County residents perform needed home improvements and upgrades that they would be otherwise unable to afford.

The Carter County Home Improvement Project, Inc., was recently formed to repair and improve substandard housing of county residents. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit group, which means that all donations to the group are tax deductible.

The organization plans to place a particular emphasis on wheelchair ramp installation, floor repair or replacement, repair of unsafe windows and doors, and gutter repair and replacement.

The board of directors for the organization consists of Jim Speaks, president, Chris Yates, vice president, Robert Caummisar, Secretary, Steve Kuhner, treasures, Pearl Crum, Jason Greer, Jackie Clevenger, and Ronnie Graves.

We would welcome new board members who could commit to regularly attending meetings, said Caummisar. More than anything, however, we would love to get together with skilled individuals who would be willing to volunteer services such as carpentry, roofing, window repair, and other valuable work.

The organization will follow federal poverty guidelines in determining eligibility for work. Individuals must be at or below poverty in order to qualify for help.

Its important to note that this is for property owners only. We cant work in tenant situations because we wouldnt be helping the tenant as much as we would be helping the landlord, said Caummisar.

Both the Grayson and Olive Hill branches of the Carter County Public Library have applications available for those who would like to be considered for assistance. The group also says it is in the process of developing an online presence, both on the web and in social media, so that applications can be taken online.

Joe Lewis is a freelance writer for The Journal-Times.

Original post:
Help with home improvements - Journal-Times

World Read Aloud Week celebration at Reynolds Elementary School in Upper Saddle River(Photo: Photo courtesy of Stefanie Slacin)

UPPER SADDLE RIVER Increased spendingforhealth benefits and special education are among the line items drivinga 2.15 percent tax hike in the school district's preliminary2017-2018 budget.

Under the proposed $24.2 million spending plan,employeebenefits spendingwill riseby about $500,000to $4.8 million, Business Administrator DanaImbascianisaid.

The costperpupilisalsoexpected to growto$18,156, an increase of $719 fromthecurrent schoolyear.

The K-8 district welcomed an additional 45 students this year, pushing the total student population to 1,236.A demographics study commissioned by the board projected the district will add144students over the next five years, due to housing construction in the borough.

The districthas alsobudgeted$330,000for its ongoingwindow replacement project at Reynolds Elementary andCavalliniMiddle School.

Upper Saddle River man suing over denied public-records request

Upper Saddle River BOE to present demographic study

If approved, the totalamount to be raised by taxesin the 2017-2018school yearwould be$21,798,681.The average homeowner with property assessed at $755,500wouldpay $7,628 in school taxes, up $117 fromthe 2016-2017 schoolyear, said Business Administrator DanaImbasciani.

Funding from state aid remained flat at $546,679 forthesecond year in a row.

The Board of Education will vote on adoption of the budget on May 1.

Email:nobile@northjersey.com

Read or Share this story: https://njersy.co/2oCHHpd

See the original post here:
Upper Saddle River BOE proposing 2.15 percent tax hike - NorthJersey.com

Chris Mooney and Juliet Eilperin The Washington Post

Environmental Protection Agency officials are proposing to eliminate two programs focused on limiting children's exposure to lead-based paint - which is known to cause damage to developing brains and nervous systems.

The proposed cuts, outlined in a 64 page budget memo revealed by The Washington Post on Friday, would roll back programs aimed at reducing lead risks by $16.61 million and more than 70 employees, in line with a broader project by the Trump administration to devolve responsibility for environmental and health protection to state and local governments.

Old housing stock is the biggest risk for lead exposure - and the EPA estimates that 38 million U.S. homes contain lead-based paint.

Environmental groups said the elimination of the two programs, which are focused on training workers in the safe removal of lead-based paint and public education about its risks, would make it harder for the EPA to address the environmental hazard.

One of the programs falling under the ax requires professional remodelers to undergo training in safe practices for stripping away old, lead-based paints from homes and other facilities.

The training program for remodelers was set up under a 2010 EPA regulation that aims to reduce exposure to toxic lead-paint chips and dust by requiring renovators to be certified in federally approved methods of containing and cleaning up work areas in homes constructed before 1978.

The rule applies to a broad range of renovations, including carpet removal and window replacement, in homes inhabited by pregnant women and young children.

Some operators in the home renovation industry have criticized the rule as too costly, noting that some customers simply opt to hire contractors who deliberately skirt the federal standards.

Lead is a potent neurotoxin, and particularly harmful to children and the elderly. Its many dangers in gasoline, paint, and drinking water have been scientifically documented over many decades, which has led to stronger regulatory protections.

In a 2014 report, the Centers for Disease Control found that 243,000 children had blood lead levels above the danger threshold - and that permanent neurological damage and behavior disorders had been associated at even lower levels of lead exposure.

"The most common risk factor is living in a housing unit built before 1978, the year when residential use of lead paint was banned in the United States," the CDC found.

EPA spokeswoman Julia Valentine said in an email that the two programs facing cuts are "mature," and that the goal of their elimination is to return "the responsibility for funding to state and local entities."

The Lead Risk Reduction Program, which would be cut by $2.56 million and 72.8 full-time equivalent employees, is charged with certifying renovators who work in buildings that may contain lead-based paint and upholding federal safety standards for such projects. Located in the agency's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, the lead risk reduction program also helps educate Americans about how to minimize their exposure to lead in their homes.

The second cut, a much deeper $ 14.05 million, would zero out grants to state and tribal programs that also address lead-based paint risks.

"The basis for the EPA reduction is that states can do this work, but then we're going to take away the money we're going to give to states," said Jim Jones, who headed the EPA Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, which administers the lead-based paint program, in the Obama years. "I think it's just one of many examples in that budget of the circular thinking there that just doesn't hold together."

But the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, which represents some of the industry's biggest players, welcomed the plan to abolish the two programs. The association's chief executive, Fred Ulreich said in a statement that the group "has long supported moving" the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program "from EPA down to the individual states."

Fourteen states - Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin - currently run programs to train contractors how to properly handle renovations involving lead paint, according to the EPA's website. The rest rely on the federal government to provide training.

Ulreich said in his statement that his group "believes that the program can be better run and enforcement can be more vigorous the closer it is to the local contractors."

But Ulreich added that the group would object to states who seek to run a lead "abatement program." The group has successfully delayed a program in Maryland that goes further than the current federal requirements when it comes to lead paint removal.

Erik Olson, who directs the Natural Resources Defense Council's health program, said in an interview that the move leaves children in dozens of states unprotected.

"If the state doesn't have a program, which is true in most states, and if the EPA doesn't have a program, how are you going to have compliance with the lead rules?" Olson asked. "Basically, this is the guts of the program that protects kids from lead poisoning from paint."

State efforts to reduce lead risks have had mixed results. In 2004, New Jersey created the Lead Hazard Control Assistance Fund, which was supposed to provide loans and grants to homeowners and landlords to help them remove lead-based paint from aging housing stock. The program was supposed to be funded by sales tax revenue from cans of paint, which was expected to be $7 million to $14 million every year.

Instead, over the next dozen years the legislature and Democratic and Republican governors diverted more than $50 million from the fund toward payment of routine bills and salaries.

The EPA's Valentine said in an email that the agency is "working towards implementing the president's budget based on the framework provided by his blueprint" and "while many in Washington insist on greater spending, EPA is focused on greater value and real results."

"Administrator EPA in a more effective, more focused, less costly way as we partner with states to fulfill the agency's core mission," she added.

The cuts to the lead-paint programs would not directly affect EPA programs related to lead in drinking water, as in the case of Flint, Michigan. Those programs fall under the agency's Office of Water. But the EPA memo does propose reducing funding and staff for the agency's drinking water programs as well.

Changes to how the federal government addresses lead paint could affect hundreds of thousands of renovators, noted Remodeling magazine editor in chief Craig Webb.

The latest U.S. Census classified 78,000 firms as being in residential remodeling, with 278,921 employees. But since the 2010 rule also affects many siding, painting and wall covering contractors, as well as individual proprietors, the total number could be much higher.

The EPA announced in November 2016 that they had pursued more than 100 enforcement actions for lead-based paint hazards - much of those focused on the nation's largest companies.

In 2014, Lowe's home improvement chain agreed to pay $500,000 and create a compliance program across its 1,700 stores as part of a settlement agreement with the EPA.

Lowe's had "failed to provide documentation showing that the contractors it hires to perform renovation projects for Lowe's customers had been certified by EPA, had been properly trained, had used lead-safe work practices, or had correctly used EPA-approved lead test kits at renovation sites," the agency charged. (The company did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.)

Later, Sears reached a similar settlement with the agency. Sears also declined to comment for this story.

The National Association of Home Builders has objected to EPA's regulation, charging that it is "an inefficient tool for achieving the environmental and health goals of the underlying statute and rule."

On Tuesday, association spokeswoman Elizabeth Thompson said in an email, "At this point, it is premature to comment until something official has been announced."

Read more:
Trump's EPA moves to defund programs that protect children from lead-based paint - Norwich Bulletin