An estimated $2.8 million in facility improvements that will include more secure entryways for schools in Bement took another step forward last week. School board members voted on March 8 to pay $425,000 up front to energy consultant Opterra Energy in order to proceed with the project, which school officials hope can be completed this summer.

As part of the districts required once-per-decade health life safety survey, the work will also include window replacement at the elementary school, roof work at the middle school, a fire alarm system overhaul, and other projects aimed at promoting energy savings.

Well seal up the building envelope, not just the windows. It makes it a lot more comfortable and it is more energy efficient, said Opterra spokesman Sharon Uslan.

Last month, the board applied for no- to low-interest Qualified Zone Academy Bonds to help fund the project. Health Life Safety bonds can be issued to fund the remainder, and since there are working cash bonds being paid off this year, the new borrowing can be done without tax rate implications.

District Superintendent Sheila Greenwood said it added up to an opportunity the district could not pass up.

Were pretty excited were going to have $2.8 million for improvements and make our buildings safer and more efficient without a tax increase, Greenwood told the board.

When the work is completed, those coming in through the high school and elementary main entrances will come into a vestibule, then be buzzed into the office to sign in before being allowed access to other parts of the building. There are already buzzers at two entrances, but they do not lead directly into school offices.

At the elementary office, the vestibule will also expand the office space by eight feet and provide more privacy for the school nurse.

At the high school, a door will need to be added to that office to accommodate the secure entry, which will be at the main entrance. Currently those needing entrance during school hours are buzzed in through doors closer to the gymnasium.

Board member Janice Fogerson asked Uslan which pieces of the project were the top priorities.

Uslan basically said its a pretty level playing field.

Theyre all pretty high priority. Theyre all health life safety, so the items are beyond their useful life, she said. So its just stuff that has to get done.

Greenwood emphasized the need for beefing up security, something that has become more apparent in the past decade.

Its sad that you have to be buzzed in, said Greenwood of the security measure the school installed four years ago. But people dont realize you have orders of protection, you have registered sex offenders, things you didnt have as much 10 years ago, so we have to do everything to protect your kids.

Uslan added that half of her past 10 projects have included energy-efficient, secure vestibules, because school districts are seeing this as such a high priority.

Board members also approved a resolution to begin the process of filing health life safety paperwork with the Illinois State Board of Education, which will need approval in order for the summer work to commence.

In other action, the board:

approved a reduction in force for kindergarten teacher Sarah Snyder. Greenwood said the district is unsure whether two instructors for that grade level will be needed next fall. This years number was 26 split between two classrooms, and estimates for 2017-18 enrollment will be more firm after kindergarten registration is held later this month;

accepted the resignation of middle school science teacher Patty Miller;

heard from middle/ high school principal Doug Kepley that participation is up for baseball, softball and boys track. Girls track numbers are down slightly from 2016; and

was told eighth grade promotion exercises will be May 25, with high school graduation May 26.

was informed the gym roof has developed leaks that may be a result of hail damage, which means insurance could cover repairs. Vertical supports in the gym have also been secured as a safety measure.

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Summer building work planned for Bement schools - Piatt County Journal-Republican

Post Register

Contractor finds a niche in historic restoration Post Register We have completed projects involving log replacement and repair, roofing, window repair, wood floor replacement, foundation and chinking, he said. With assistance from Lemon House Movers and CCI Crane, his company has moved 16 buildings to ...

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Contractor finds a niche in historic restoration - Post Register

March 13, 2017 at 4:00 pm | By Hillary Gavan

BELOIT The School District of Beloits performance contractor Nexus Solutions released bids for air conditioning in Beloit Memorial High Schools fitness center this month.

The fitness center, part of the 2012 referendum projects, was built without air conditioning. The estimated costs of the air conditioning system, including cooling coils and an air handling unit, would be around $476,000, according Jamie Merath, executive director of business services.

Air conditioning for the fitness center is included in the 2016-2017 energy efficiency projects. Energy efficiency projects are allowed to exceed state-imposed revenue limits through an exemption from the Department of Public Instruction. The state exemption accommodates spending for energy-efficient projects, and the district receives approximately two-thirds of the cost reimbursed the following year through state equalization aid.

The board approved $1.66 million in projects for 2016-2017 which are being finished up this spring. Projects included converting air/pneumatic controls, window replacement, replacement of hot water boilers, lighting upgrades and the replacement of air handler units.

Although there is no dollar figure available for the 2017-2018 energy efficiency projects the following improvements have been suggested: HVAC replacement at Converse; BMHS heating system improvements; boiler and air handling unit replacement at Todd; and air handling unit replacements at Gaston and Aldrich; window replacement at Robinson; and roof replacement at Converse.

Merath said she will release an request for qualification for performance contractors to bid on next years energy efficiency projects in the next couple weeks.

Once all bids are received and are reviewed, administration will make a recommendation to the board, she said.

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District releases bids for AC - Beloit Daily News

A rare bit of good news on the home maintenance front, courtesy of Broward's Housing Finance and Community Redevelopment Division: It's home repair programs are back again.

The programs are open to residents in participating Community Development Block Grant cities including Oakland Park, which are helping to bring awareness to the programs' return.

The main program offers a 10-year deferred payment loan of up to $40,000 per eligible homeowner that can be used for everything from upgrading air conditioning to storm shutters.

Broward County offered the program two years ago. However, last year there was no funding. But now the program is back.

Of an initial pool of $2.2 million, said Sue Fejes, assistant director of the Housing Finance and Community Redevelopment Division, about $800,000 has been awarded, which doesn't go as far as it seems.

"The average roof can run $20,000, depending on whether it is tile or not," Fejes said.

The money can be used to cover roof repair or replacement, hurricane storm shutters, window and door replacement, and even insulation.

Meanwhile, a separate program offers a maximum $4,500 grant for water and sewer pipe repairs including installing a new line from the house to the street; cleaning existing drain lines and deactivating septic tanks.

Contractors are pre-selected and pre-approved and, with the exception of Pompano and Deerfield Beach residents, which offer city programs, any homeowner in Broward County with income below $40,600 for a family of one - and $67,300 per year for a family of six - is eligible.

For information about Broward County's Home Repair Program, call 954-357-4900.

eroberts@tronc.com

Link:
Cities offer bridge to county's home repair programs - Sun Sentinel

By Melissa Kossler Dutton

Associated Press

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 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 isnt 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 historic homes can do more than look bad; they can seriously damage a homes structure and character, says Jody Robinson, historic preservation officer for the city of Bellevue, Kentucky. DIY has a place in historic 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 historic homes can find information about which projects they should and shouldnt attempt on their own.

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

Understanding your homes construction and appreciating historic renovation methods are the first step, says Benjamin Curran, department head for historic 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, its 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 city-wide 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. Hes 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 homes 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.

Ive 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. Theyve finished five of the homes 22 rooms.

During their restoration journey, theyve 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 homes 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 its important to be flexible. You never know what youre 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.

Were at the point where Im pretty comfortable with whatever we find, Doug Heavilin adds. Im not always happy, but Im comfortable.

.

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DIY work on older houses takes extra know-how, flexibility - Troy Daily News

STATE LINE, Pa. A few years ago, Foster Souders bought a home in the Cedarbrook development in southern Antrim Township, Pa., as a retirement investment, and renting the house to his stepson made the situation all the more attractive.

That was until someone began shooting out all of the second-story windows on one side of the home in an otherwise quiet State Line-area neighborhood.

Since spring 2015, the four windows have been damaged by gunfire four times, with the latest being two weeks ago.

Souders expects his bills for replacement of the glass to reach $5,000 with the current repairs that are needed to the home off U.S. 11 north of State Line.

This time, we're going to try something different with the glass, and it will run upward of $1,200 to $1,500, he said.We are thinking we need to put some protection over the glass itself. That's the next step.

In addition to the cost of repairs, the matter of safety is of prime concern to the family.

I'm not scared physically, said Chris Churchill, who moved his family from Hagerstown so his 10-year-old daughter could attend Greencastle-Antrim schools.But it's constantly on my mind. I check the windows each morning.Could they do something worse? I wouldn't think, but who knows?

While no one in the family has been injured, Churchill's daughter has moved out of her bedroom.

The first time it happened, it was spring, and I was on vacation doing things around the house, Churchill said. We went upstairs around 9 o'clock, and the window in the bathroom had been shot out. All four windows on that side of the house have been shot out multiple times.

My daughter couldn't sleep at night, so we had to change her to another room. She was my biggest concern. Since she's been out of the room, she's fine.

Souders did more than repair the damage by adding motion-activated surveillance cameras to the property. So far, the lens has not picked up anything.

Pennsylvania State Police were called to investigate after each shooting, including the latest in early March. Telephone calls from Herald-Mail Media to state police weren't returned.

We didn't know if it was kids or what, Churchill said of the first incident. We asked around the neighborhood. We didn't have any issues with anybody. A neighbor across the street said the windows had gotten shot out before we moved in.

"There were issues over dogs. We do have dogs who bark sometimes, but they stay in the fenced yard.

The gunshots never have penetrated the home's inner window, but pellets have remained in between window panes.

The shots have, in some cases, caused the whole window to shatter and, in one case, it eventually fell into the adjacent bathroom.

The sides of the family's swimming pool in the backyard also have been sprayed with gunshots.

I don't know what to do, Souders said. I have looked into solid glass, but the price is exorbitant. And that's still not bulletproof. It's going to chip off if they keep shooting at it.

The worse part is that, emotionally, it's taken its toll on our granddaughter more than anybody.

Churchill said the family has considered moving.

Maybe somebody knows something that they haven't told anybody, Souders said. I have thought about offering a reward. I don't have an endless supply of money, but when I think of what I've already spent, if I had put that $4,000 or $5,000 into a reward, I may have gotten somebody to come forward.

See the article here:
Antrim Township family fed up after windows repeatedly shot out - Herald-Mail Media

Jessica Wehrman Dispatch Washington Bureau @JessicaWehrman

WASHINGTON In dueling appearances on talk shows Sunday morning, Ohio Gov. John Kasich and U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan demonstrated the wide range of concerns varying wings of the GOP have with the current Obamacare replacement bill working its way through the House.

While Kasich urged Republicans and Democrats to work to fix the current system in order to prevent low-income Ohioans from losing access to health care, Jordan, an Urbana Republican, warned against offering subsidies to those with no tax liability and vowed to fight any extension of the current Medicaid expansion.

Taken together, the two offer a window into the very real problems that the GOP will have in passing this bill: One part of the party is concerned it goes too far, the other worries it doesnt go far enough.

Look, the bill needs fixed, said Kasich on NBCs Meet the Press with Chuck Todd. The current system doesn't work. That's why it's possible to get Democrats involved. But you don't want to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

He calls for enlisting Democrats, saying that Republicans now are trying to jam through the bill without Democrats a mistake that he said Democrats made back in 2010 with Obamacare.

Kasich, who expanded Medicaid under the 2010 law despite concerns from some in his own party, said that expansion has covered some 700,000 in the state, including a large population of the mentally ill, the drug addicted and those with chronic diseases. They tend to move off that program, he said, but then head to an exchange that is broken.

The exchange needs to be fixed, he said, but don't kill Medicaid expansion.

The governor said the current bill does not provide adequate resources for the drug addicted, mentally ill and chronically ill to see a doctor.

If I put you on an exchange for your family and I give you a $4,000 tax credit or a $3,000 tax credit, what kind of insurance are you going to buy for $3,000? he asked.

Kasich said he believes the current bill will pass the House, but he is hopeful it will be changed in the Senate. Among those who have expressed concerns about the current bills impact on the Medicaid population is Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio. The Republican Governors Association, of which Kasich is a part, has been working with the Senate.

Jordan, meanwhile, has called for a clean repeal of the 2010 Affordable Care Act, saying the current bill does not fulfill the promises that Republicans made to voter during last years election cycle.

We told then we were going to repeal Obamacare and replace it with something thats going to bring down cost of insurance, he said on Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace. The current bill doesnt do that.

If Jordan has his say, the bill in its current form will not pass the House. He is the co-founder of the conservative Freedom Caucus, which has nearly 40 members. If more than half unite in opposition to the bill, its chances of passing the House will be grim.

Wallace asked Jordan if he was prepared to be part of what could be a death blow to the early days of the Trump presidency. Trump has been a leading supporter of the bill.

But Jordan said it was a false choice. Wed like a chance to amend it, change it and make it consistent with the message we told the voters we were going to accomplish, he said.

Both Jordan and Kasich say they believe Trump is open to negotiation, though Jordan, pressed by Wallace, would not list what the Freedom Caucus demands are. Were working on that, he said. He and other Freedom Caucus members head to the White House on Tuesday to speak to Trump.

I think that he's very open to compromise, Kasich said of Trump, saying the two have talked about drug costs. I have no doubt about that he would be flexible. He just wants to get something through."

He criticized Republicans for being too focused on fulfilling campaign promises at the risk of hurting some of the very constituents they serve.

If all you focus on in life is what's in it for me, you're a loser, he said. You are a big time loser. And this country better be careful we're not losing the soul of our country because we play politics and we forget people who are in need.

jwehrman@dispatch.com

@jessica_wehrman

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Jordan, Kasich both unhappy with Obamacare replacement bill, but for different reasons - The Columbus Dispatch

Jessica Williams jessicawtn

The Alamance-Burlington School Systems Joint Facilities Task Force held what was ultimately an informational meeting Friday morning to introduce new members and get them up to speed on the current state of school facilities.

Assistant Superintendent for Operations Todd Thorpe presented the five-year facilities plan, which contains schedules for painting, repaving, repairing covered walkways, installing new lighting and roofs, HVAC and window replacement, carpet removal, electrical upgrades for nearly all schools, and a new gym floor for Broadview and South Graham.

County Planning Director Libby Hodges also presented an update on projected growth in Alamance County that uses a formula to predict how many students will be added to each school by all currently approved housing developments.

A chart showed that growth is concentrated mostly in the Mebane area, which could mean trouble for the already-over-capacity Eastern Alamance High School, and demonstrates the need the Board of Education hopes for a new high school to be built between Eastern and Southern.

Board of Education member Patsy Simpson expressed some frustration with the lack of discussion about funding the new high school considering that county commissioners Tim Sutton and Bill Lashley are on the task force.

Im hoping at some point this committee and where were heading to is how to financially address where we need to be in the future, Simpson said. I recall when we met with the county commissioners, saying, God, I hope we can get Tim and Bill on this facilities committee because I want you guys to be with us, meaning with the board. What I would like to see on the agenda is honest feedback from you two as far as what you want to discuss in order for us to be friends and for us to really talk about how we can work with you two guys to get where we need to get.

The Board of County Commissioners is responsible for funding capital improvements in the school system, and will decide how the $150 million redistricting plan that includes two new schools and renovations for current facilities is funded.

Sutton and Lashley, the most fiscally conservative members of the board, have spoken out against building new schools and using public-private partnerships to help fund construction in the past, but their first two meetings on the Facilities Task Force havent delved into those details.

Sutton told Simpson that hes also eager to start that discussion, and that coming up with a plan they can sell to taxpayers would be essential to funding new facilities and renovations.

It works two ways. Youve got to show us what you want to do, and weve got some good ideas as far as what we think you ought to do, Sutton said. But more than anything, PR-wise, weve got to convince the public, if this is a bond referendum, or even us, as far as how money can be put out there as a result of things we do, not just bonds. It has to be a PR deal thats a good package for everybody.

Between now and next months meeting, members of the Task Force plan to visit Southern Alamance High School, which is one the districts most overcrowded high schools with the greatest need for renovations, to see first-hand whats needed to meet the school systems goal of having world class facilities.

Reporter Jessica Williams can be reached at jessica.williams@thetimesnews.com or at 336-506-3046. Follow her on Twitter at @jessicawtn

Continued here:
Joint panel eager to talk funding - Burlington Times News

By MELISSA KOSSLER DUTTON Associated Press

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 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 historic homes can do more than look bad; they can seriously damage a home's structure and character, says Jody Robinson, historic preservation officer for the city of Bellevue, Kentucky. DIY has a place in historic 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 historic 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 historic 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 historic renovation methods are the first step, says Benjamin Curran, department head for historic 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 city-wide 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.

Read the original:
DIY work on older houses takes extra know-how, flexibility - Dothan Eagle

(NAPSI)You can keep your windows from decreasing your homes energy efficiency and increasing your monthly energy bills.

Windows typically account for 15 to 30 percent of the total heating load in a structure and may account for over half the summer cooling load. Money may be escaping out your windows.

I encourage homeowners to think of the hot and cool spots throughout their homes, said Darrell Smith, Executive Director of the nonprofit International Window Film Association (IWFA). These are indicators of areas that can be addressed to help boost a homes efficiency.

Full window replacement may not be the most cost-effective means for improvement.

A professional installation of window film can provide the sameif not morebenefits for homeowners as complete window replacements, said Smith. In addition, a film installation can often be completed without a major disruption in use of the rooms.

According to Smith, the potential savings per dollar can be seven times that of the installation of new windows. On average, an installation on a single-family home may range from $4 to $12 per square foot, depending on the type of window film installed.

Once window film is installed, it can help block up to 84 percent of the suns heatkeeping a home cool in summerand help hold heat inside during winterresulting in lower energy bills and a warmer environment.

An additional feature of window film is the ability to block up to 99 percent of ultraviolet rays from passing through a window, said Smith. This offers homeowners an extra measure of protection for furniture, floors and cherished heirlooms.

For more on window film or to find an accredited installer, visit http://www.iwfa.com.

On the Net:North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.(NAPSI)

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Clearly, Window Film Saves Money - The Southeast Sun