Clive McFarlane Telegram & Gazette Staff @CliveMcFarlane

There are some kinds of charlatan that you dont have to be, even to be a fading political operative.

Those of you who have read "All the King's Men" by Robert Penn Warren know that I could have been more pointed with my opening remarks.

Nevertheless, the meaning of those words requires no historical elucidation when applied to former mayor and School Committee member Raymond Mariano, who lately has been on a reckless rant over the issue of possible PCB contamination in two of the citys school buildings.

In his pontification on the issue, Mr. Mariano has pulled no punches in impugning the character and integrity of Mayor Joseph Petty, Superintendent Maureen Binienda and School Committee members in what he views as their seeming lack of empathy for students and staff who may be exposed to PCBs in the schools.

He is pretty much accusing them of collusion in poisoning students and staff members.

How can they be proud when they hid the fact that there were potentially serious health risks in their buildings (from) students and staff for years, he wrote in the Worcester Sun.

Even when they were removing poisons in some other buildings, they never told anyone.

Lets be clear. PCB exposure has been a health concern nationwide. Most buildings built in the '50s through the '70s were constructed with PCB materials.

As such, Mr. Marianos current interest suggests he is coming at it from strictly a personal and emotional angle. (His wife works at Burncoat.) Otherwise, he would have done something about it during the almost 25 years he spent in political office in the city, including eight years as mayor and at least eight years as chairman of the School Committee.The science around PCBs is the same now as it was during his tenure in office.

That changed after he left.The city has tackled the issue, and appears to have followed EPA best practices in managing potential exposure in the schools.

The city, for example, has spent some $54 million replacing windows and light ballasts over the last several years in the schools. It has been, on EPAguidelines, encapsulating windows with cracking and peeling paint.

To put the PCB issue in context, here are some questions and answers posted by the Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services.

Q. Are health concerns associated with PCB exposure opportunities?

A. Although the epidemiological evidence is sometimes conflicting, most health agencies have concluded that PCBs may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen, i.e., to cause cancer.

Q. If PCBs are present in caulking material, does that mean exposure and health impacts are likely?

A. No. MDPH/(Bureau of Environmental)review of available data suggests that if caulking is intact, no appreciable exposures to PCBs are likely and hence health effects would not be expected.

Q. Does MDPH recommend testing of caulking in buildings built during the 1950s -1980?

A. Caulking that is intact should not be disturbed.

Among EPA best practices are the recommendation to remove PCB caulking and other materials during planned renovations and repairs, and to consider encapsulation to reduce PCB exposure.

Jack Foley and Brian OConnell, two of the longest serving members of the School Committee, told me Wednesday that few other communities in New England have done more than they have done or are doing to deal with PCBs in the schools.

To suggest, as Mr. Mariano has done, that they have been derelict in their duties is grossly unfair.

It is an inaccurate assessment of the facts, Mr. OConnell said.

It flies in the face of facts and the actions we have taken over the past several years.

Both committee members spoke about light ballast removal, encapsulation and other remediation efforts at Burncoat and Doherty high schools. Since both schools are priorities for renovation and replacement, substantial window replacement would reduce the likelihood of school building assistance from the state, they noted.

Interestingly, Doherty and Burncoat are the only two schools Mr. Mariano seems concerned about.

He explains this bysaying the School Committee has done a good job dealing with the issue in the other schools. How does he know this? Because the school administration told him so, he said. Yet, he suggests the administration is lying, or, in his words, not being forthright, when it says it is also following best practices at Burncoat and Doherty.

Mr. Mariano claims he has anecdotal evidence to the contrary, that the administration has been lax in cleaning and maintaining the ventilation system at the two schools, and that the administration was able to get away with it because it never told staff what the best practices were for dealing with PCBs.

This seems rather odd, since it was ateachers union member, as part of his dissertation, who first raised concerns about PCBs at these two schools. It is difficult to understand how the union then didnt share best PCB remedial practices with its members.

Here is the bottom line. If Mr. Mariano was saying the city has done its due diligence in dealing with the PCB issues, but that there are ways in which it can improve those efforts, that would be one thing.

But his characterization of the issue as a seemingly dereliction of duty by the city, and his suggestion that this supposed inattention might be linked to staff members at those schools being diagnosed with cancer, is shameful and reckless.

The rest is here:
Clive McFarlane: Mariano's criticism is a disservice to school officials - Worcester Telegram

Durable Replacement Windows from Vinyl Window Pricing.com.

Are your old windows just not your style? Or are they beginning to stick and proving difficult to open? Maybe they are just not energy efficient enough, allowing heating and air conditioning to escape and costing you money? Welcome to Vinyl Window Pricing, your source for replacement windows. We provide a number of different styles of replacement windows and doors with many different materials. Whether you want the refined look of wood, the durability of vinyl, or the strength of impact glass, we offer a selection of replacement windows online that far exceeds most other retailers.

We offer more than just value on replacement windows, however. When you work with us to replace windows, we ensure that you get the best customer service possible. We work with you and focus on meeting your needs, listening to your desires and the design of your house. When we suggest styles for your replacement windows, we make the suggestion because we feel it would work for you, never because it is most convenient for us.

Replace Windows with Vinyl Window Pricing

The first step in replacing your windows is determining what type of replacement windows and doors you want. At Vinyl Window Pricing, we help you make this choice by providing a wide selection of replacement windows.

We make lengthy web searches unnecessary. Simply examine our replacement windows online or in our store and your selections from there. We also provide our trained personnel to answer any questions you may have about our replacement windows and doors. When you call us, you can be certain that a knowledgeable professional will be on the line.

Replacement Windows and Doors for Less

Whether you're redoing a single window or looking for replacement windows across your entire house, we know that you want to keep costs down. We offer you the best prices possible, with frequent sales on replacement windows and doors and numerous adaptable options to help you get the best value possible. Want to come and pick up your custom replacement windows to keep shipping costs down? No problem! Vinyl Window Pricing.com will work with you.

Want to learn more about our competitive pricing on durable replacement windows and doors? Call our replacement windows specialists at 855-892-0543 for more information, or browse our website for a free quote on your new replacement windows.

See the rest here:
Vinyl Window Pricing.com - Replacement Windows

According to Hall County Supervisor Jane Richardson, the windows in the Hall County Courthouse are very old and are in dire need of replacement.

The Hall County Board of Supervisors will discuss and consider taking action on replacing the courthouse windows at its meeting Tuesday morning.

Richardson, the countys facilities committee chair, said the committee met Thursday and decided it would like the county board to make a decision on whether or not to replace the windows.

The board will discuss and decide whether to approve the installation of historically-accurate windows or aluminum windows. Richardson said the facilities committee does not have a preference of the installed window type, but said aluminum windows are less costly compared to historically-accurate windows.

Hall County Facilities Director Lorne Doone Humphrey gave a rough estimate of the costs of the windows, saying historically-accurate windows would cost roughly $200,000, while aluminum windows would cost about $170,000.

Richardson said with Grand Island experiencing extremely windy days within the past few weeks, courthouse employees have been complaining about how noisy and dirty the courthouse is.

They (windows) are so bad that they have dust particles coming onto their desks and they have to keep wiping them off throughout the day, she said. They are desperately in need of replacement. They are very old windows and are not cost-effective. Weve updated the HVAC, but then we had the heat and the air conditioning escaping out the windows. So its time to do something.

Richardson added Hall County would save on energy costs with the installation of new windows in the courthouse. She said the county has not been seeing the cost savings it should be seeing with the HVAC system due to the old windows still being in place.

I am hoping that we can just make a decision that yes, we do need new windows as soon as possible, Richardson said. Also, are we going to go with the historically-correct ones or aluminum ones? Hopefully we will move forward so we can get them ordered and get them in.

In other action, the county board will:

Discuss and consider taking action on bids for a scanning project for the Hall County Assessor and Register of Deeds.

Consider approving special designated liquor licenses for Maxs Thunder Road Bar and Grill at 3335 W. Wood River Road for the purpose of bike nights and a June 10 Wings and Wheels event.

Discuss and consider approving an exemption application for CHI Health St. Francis for a 2017 Nissan Sedan.

The Hall County Board of Supervisors meets at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the Hall County Administration Building.

More:
County board to discuss replacement of courthouse windows | Local ... - Grand Island Independent

Spring is a great time to watch nature wake up and enjoy the fresh air,

Fort Lauderdale, Florida (PRWEB) March 22, 2017

March 22, 2017 Fort Lauderdale, FL

Express Glass & Board Up, Fort Lauderdales leading professional sliding glass door service, is proud to announce a new Spring Program for residents. Spring can bring many reasons for broken window glass. Migrating birds or flying debris from a thunderstorm can quickly create a shattered glass emergency. Fort Lauderdale locals may consider it time to upgrade windows and patio doors to impact-resistant glass in preparation for the Summer, 2017, hurricane season.

Spring is a great time to watch nature wake up and enjoy the fresh air, commented Yaniet Santos, general manager of Express Glass & Board Up. Its also a time when we get calls about shattered windows from all kinds of flying objects like birds or patio furniture from hurricane-force winds. We want to remind the Florida community our spring program can help get them through any broken glass turmoil.

To view the informative post about the Express Glass Spring Program, please visit http://www.expressglassfl.com/impact-resistant-glass/. Details regarding various types of high-impact glass for hurricane-force winds can be reviewed. Information about the programs 10% discount for sliding glass door repair and window replacement can also be found by clicking up to the site navigation. Interested parties can also refer to the Fort Lauderdale page at http://www.expressglassfl.com/fort-lauderdale-glass-window-repair/ or simply call in and mention the special 10% discount available to Ft. Lauderdale residents for "spring clean up."

Fort Lauderdale Sliding Glass Door Repair Has Brought High Impact Spring Program to Residents

Fort Lauderdale residents may be ready to enjoy the outdoors as spring approaches. In an area known as Hurricane Country, residents may also need to prepare for high-impact winds. If a resident has scheduled sliding glass door repair service, it could be a good time to include a full glass inspection as well. Worn windows and tiny cracks in patio doors can shatter from hurricane force winds. Installing high-impact insulated glass before debris flies toward the residence could help ensure home security. Finding a top sliding glass door repair service offering inspections and installations at a reasonable price may be the first step.

Express Glass & Board Up, a sliding glass repair service for the Fort Lauderdale community has recently announced a new Spring Program. The business has updated its hurricane-resistant glass page and offered a complimentary glass repair inspection for spring. Several options for sliding glass door repair and high-impact glass can be found. Choosing hurricane resistant glass may not have to break a home budget. Express Glass has offered a 10% discount to residents mentioning this recent press release. Tropical storms in Fort Lauderdale can be weathered in the safety of a secure home with high-impact glass. After the skies clear, Fort Lauderdale locals can open the windows and enjoy the fresh spring air.

About Express Glass Repair and Board Up

Express Glass and Board Up Service Inc. is a family owned and operated glass repair business with more than 20 years of experience. Professional technicians and the large variety of inventory make Express Glass the top glass door replacement and repair service. If customers are looking for Miami sliding glass door repair, or Ft. Lauderdale glass repair as well as glass repair in Delray Beach please reach out to the company for a free estimate. If customers need a 24/7 Miami Sliding Glass Door repair service, or glass repair in Ft. Lauderdale or Boca Raton, technicians are standing by. The company specializes in sliding glass door repair and window glass repair; technicians will handle any glass replacement situation efficiently. Home or business glass repair is the company's main priority.

Express Glass Repair and Board up http://www.expressglassfl.com/

Share article on social media or email:

See more here:
Express Glass & Board Up, Fort Lauderdale's Sliding Glass Door Repair Professionals, Announces Innovative Spring ... - PR Web (press release)

The Corona del Mar branch of the Newport Beach Public Library is a neighborhood landmark, but it shows its age.

Moist ocean air and termites have taken chunks out of the decking around the cheerful landscaping and slim, mid-century signage. The paint is dull and the carpet could use a deep cleaning.

Newport Beach had planned to build a new $8-million library/fire station complex nicknamed the "fibrary" this year at the site at East Coast Highway and Marigold Avenue. But city leaders said in January that with unfunded pension liabilities straining the city budget, the project could be postponed for five years.

Now, library supporters have regrouped to identify and price maintenance priorities for the existing building, which was built in 1959.

Library trustee Paul Watkins headed a committee that estimated the cost of the most vital fixes at $35,000 to $42,000. He said the city manager's office gave the committee a range of about $50,000 to $90,000 to take care of deferred maintenance issues, but the group chose to be prudent and pinpoint the must-haves.

"We understood what the charge was," Watkins said.

Termite eradication, estimated at $3,000, is the top-ranked concern. Most other issues such as air conditioner and window replacement could be addressed once the termites have been eliminated.

An exterminator is waiting for the go-ahead, according to a staff report prepared for the library board. The committee submitted the plan to City Manager Dave Kiff, who agreed with the proposed fixes, the report states.

The library board approved the maintenance plan Monday. The City Council will need to give the final stamp of approval, said Tim Hetherton, Newport Beach library services director.

Hetherton said the city, expecting a new facility in the near future, tried to stretch what it had in the current building. But now that the new building has been put on hold, officials are trying to spend wisely, he said.

Hetherton said he hopes the library will be fumigated within the next couple of weeks. He's planning to start the extermination on a Saturday so the library, closed Sundays and Mondays, will lose only one day of business.

Hetherton said he hopes to have the facelift done by June 1.

The library is a relatively small 4,000 square feet, but its records show it served more than 40,000 visitors last year. It draws plenty of toddlers to its sunny, open children's area for story times.

"There are lots of houses from '59 that are soldiering on, so I think we can too," Hetherton said.

Joy Brenner, chairwoman of the Friends of the CdM Library board, said advocates want to keep the money that had been designated for the new library in place, as the new branch was further along in development than other city construction projects.

She said supporters and officials showed classic grassroots cooperation and she wants to keep the momentum. But she said she also understands the city's budget concerns and supports the short-term fixes.

Brenner remembers doing her homework in the library as a teenager, then taking her children there, and more recently, her grandchildren. She said many neighborhood residents have a deep fondness for the library.

"Our loyalty to this library and our appreciation of it is longstanding," she said.

Termite eradication: $3,000

Deck repair: $7,205

Roof repair: $1,500

Exterior paint: $4,200

Air conditioners (window-mounted): $4,000 (add $7,500 if a new electrical panel is needed)

Window replacement: $7,000

Carpet and upholstery cleaning: $1,500

Interior paint: $4,900

Restroom diaper-changing table: $600

Shelving removal and carpet patching: $900

Total: $34,805 to $42,305

Source: Newport Beach Library Services

hillary.davis@latimes.com

Twitter:@DailyPilot_HD

Read the rest here:
With 'fibrary' on hold, a lower-cost facelift is planned for Corona del Mar library - Los Angeles Times

Sloppy window function is one thing were more than familiar with in classic Mustangs. Their dated old-fashioned rollup windows didnt perform very well when they were new, let alone when theyre more than 50 years old.

The nylon window rollers (actually called guides because they dont roll) deteriorate with age. They also get badly damaged during the rechroming and replating process due to exposure to heat and harsh chemicals.

You should replace them during the window-restoration process. Youll glad to know that replacing window rollers or guides is easier than it looks. When rollup windows and quarter windows were manufactured a half century ago, they were joined, inserted into the die-cast window frame, swaged, and were ready for assembly.

Enthusiasts get intimidated by the swaged rivets that support the nylon guides. But all you have to do is drill out the rivets, remove the guides, and replace the rivet and guide assembly.

01. Typical of most Mustang window guides, these have been through the torture of replating heat and chemical damage. Mustangs Etc. offers the rivets and nylon discs that make up the guide

02. The replacement roller kit for Mustang quarter windows from Mustangs Etc. consists of the two roller halves, rivet or pin, spring washer, and the flat washer.

03. Rivet and outer roller go together like this. It is best to lubricate between the rollers and shaft (rivet) with white grease to allow freedom of rotation.

04. Inner roller is next, as shown. Together, these guys ride the window track.

05. The old rivet (shaft) is drilled out like this until the entire flange is gone, and it pops right out.

06. The roller assembly looks like this. The spring washer, also known as a wavy washer, goes between the roller and window frame.

07. This flat washer goes in between the roller, spring washer, and frame.

08. Seat the window frame on the roller assembly. You can perform swaging any number of ways, including a hydraulic or arbor press. Were resorting to the use of a punch to flare the end of the rivet and begin the swaging process.

09-10. Once you get the flare, take a larger punch and smash the perimeter so it resembles this. This method isnt pretty, but its effective. You may also use an industrial adhesive between the rivet and frame.

11. New rollers will make smooth work of window operation. Use white grease in the tracks and on the rollers. These are 1967-68 quarter windows. The 1965-66 rollers are narrower. Although the window tracks look the same, they will not interchange.

Read this article:
How To Fix Sloppy Windows - Mustang 360

MERIDEN The city manager is proposing the city buy a $40,000 camera system to broadcast public meetings at City Hall.

We want to enhance what were doing today, said Russ Ford, the citys facilities and technology management director. This will allow us to increase transparency by allowing us to film any meeting.

The city now pays a contractor to record City Council and City Council finance committee meetings. Plans call for three cameras to be mounted on the walls and ceiling of the Council Chambers. No additional staff member would be hired to run the cameras, Ford said. Instead, high school students would be brought in to film the meetings for credit.

From this section: Fire marshal: Meriden apartment fire started after towel caught fire

They would be able to provide essentially free labor, Ford said, adding that without having to pay for a contractor in the long run its money-saving, it pays for itself.

City Manager Guy Scaife did not return an email request for comment.

Its one of the city managers priorities ... to increase transparency, Ford said.

The request is the latest from the newly formed technology department. The City Council approved a $500,000 plan to update the citys phone system and is considering a $342,000 proposal to replace computers and update licensing software at City Hall.

Finance committee Chairman Miguel Castro, a Democrat, said the camera system needs to prioritized, especially in the tight budget proposed by Scaife. The city managers $191 million spending plan for fiscal year 2017-18 calls for a 0.28 percent increase over the current fiscal year.

I wont be in favor of a $40,000 camera investment nor will I be in favor of $30,000 for windows, Castro said, referring to a request to spend $30,000 on window replacement at the public works administrative building. These are high expenditures and being fiscally responsible should be our priority.

Republican Councilor Dan Brunet was on the fence about the camera system, saying that while rather expensive, the cost of camera system would recoup itself after only two years as the city currently pays about $20,000 annually for a contractor to record meetings.

Brunet worried how live broadcasting would impact council discussion and public comment.

Some councilors and individuals act unnatural and play to the camera, which detracts from a lot of productivity, Brunet said.

Council Majority Leader Brian Daniels said he would not be in favor of funding the camera system because he does not believe it will attract a large audience.

I think for $40,000 it doesnt add anywhere near the transparency that is being touted, Daniels said.

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

Read this article:
Meriden city manager wants new camera system to broadcast meetings - Meriden Record-Journal

Dwain Livengood can save money on his home renovation project by doing the work himself. But he also knows that do-it-yourself projects in historical homes like his 100-year-old farmhouse require extra planning and research, and that mistakes can be costly.

"Self-awareness is pretty huge," says Livengood, who grew up in the house in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and is the third generation of his family to own it. "Saving money isn't worth it if in the end it looks like an amateur did it."

He is planning the first major renovations to the property, including a new kitchen, hardwood floor restorations and window repair.

DIY "fails" in historical homes can do more than look bad; they can seriously damage a home's structure and character, says Jody Robinson, historical preservation officer for the city of Bellevue, Kentucky. DIY has a place in historical home renovation, she says, but it needs to be well-researched.

If your home or neighborhood has a historical designation, there probably are restrictions on what you can do, particularly to exteriors. Consult with local authorities before initiating projects or hiring contractors.

"The difference with a historic home is the materials used and how they were constructed," Robinson says.

Slate roofs, wood gutters, weight-and-pulley windows, plaster walls and old building materials require special attention, experts say. Luckily, there are numerous places where owners of historical homes can find information about which projects they should and shouldn't attempt on their own.

Cities, preservations societies, restoration enthusiasts, and even businesses that specialize in historical renovation offer workshops and classes. Window repair, plastering, basic fireplace fixes and tiling are among the most popular subjects.

Understanding your home's construction and appreciating historical renovation methods are the first step, says Benjamin Curran, department head for historical preservation at Savannah Technical College in Georgia. Through its Historic Homeowners Academy, the school teaches classes geared to the do-it-yourselfer.

When homeowners try to apply modern solutions to old homes "a remodel can easily turn into a re-muddle," Curran says. For example, using the wrong mortar can damage old bricks.

He recommends taking a class and consulting with a professional or historical preservationist.

"From there, it's a question of what is achievable. What is the breadth of your skill set? Where might you stretch yourself and learn more?" Curran says.

Jim Wigton, president of the Monrovia (California) Historic Preservation Group, says it was formed nearly 40 years ago by residents who were restoring homes and wanted to share knowledge.

"At the beginning of the organization, we invited craftspeople in to share how to do things," says Wigton, adding that group also offers a home tour and works on citywide preservation projects.

Livengood, who has experience restoring antique carriage and tractors, plans on repairing the 40 wood windows in his foursquare house this spring. Using tips from a professional restoration company, he will replace the rope that holds the cast-iron weights that allow the windows to move up and down, and will paint the windows' interiors. He's hired a professional to tackle the exterior. He anticipates the work he does will reduce the repair costs by $200 per window.

Windows are a good DIY project because the work is more time-consuming than difficult, says Danielle Keperling, who with her parents and husband owns Historic Restorations in Lancaster. Her company is open to teaching the how-tos in order to reduce project costs, she says.

To maintain a home's historical character, repairing old windows rather than installing new ones makes a big difference, says Keperling.

"Windows show the age of the house," she says.

Whenever Doug Heavilin hires a professional to work on his 1902 Queen Anne Victorian in Franklin, Indiana, he shadows the person, soaking up as much information as he can.

"I've learned 90 percent of what I know about plumbing by sitting there and watching a plumber," says Heavilin, who is restoring the 4,700-square-foot house with his wife, Amy. They've finished five of the home's 22 rooms.

During their restoration journey, they've learned to install tile, hang wallpaper and drywall, repair plaster, and match stain and paint. He once engineered a solution to create rounded replacement pieces for their home's turret.

The Heavilins read books and magazines, watch videos, take classes and swap tips with other homeowners before starting a project.

But they also know things might not go as planned, and say it's important to be flexible. "You never know what you're going to find," says Amy Heavilin, recalling the time they discovered that their dining room chandelier was wired to a pipe with a coat hanger.

"We're at the point where I'm pretty comfortable with whatever we find," Doug Heavilin adds. "I'm not always happy, but I'm comfortable."

View post:
DIY work on older houses takes extra know-how, flexibility - Longview News-Journal

ABC27

Renewal by Andersen: Window Replacement Made Easy ABC27 You know you need to replace your windows, but you aren't sure where to begin. Renewal by Andersen can help begin that process for you. Not only do they use a durable, unique material called Fibrex in place of weak vinyl, they also focus only on window ...

Continued here:
Renewal by Andersen: Window Replacement Made Easy - ABC27

Gillette News Record

DIY work on older houses takes extra know-how, flexibility ... Gillette News Record Dwain Livengood can save money on his home renovation project by doing the work himself. But he also knows that do-it-yourself projects in historic homes like ... and more »

Continue reading here:
DIY work on older houses takes extra know-how, flexibility ... - Gillette News Record