Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Town leaders identified the project need before establishing the committee. The building needs fire suppression, handicapped accessibility to all floors, accessible office space, appropriate restroom facilities, and other interior modifications to appropriately serve the public. The building envelope also needs essential maintenance to replace rotted siding and trim, and the building needs structural upgrades. The existing building systems, such as plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and lighting, are antiquated and need replacement. The Town Hall has received minimal improvements since 1897, and the proposed project will help protect the building for the next 100 years or longer.

The THBC hired an owner's project manager and architect in mid-2018. Since then, the THBC met more than 100 times and made two presentations at Town Meeting to further the project. The THBC pledged to deliver a "bid in hand" at Fall 2019 STM to the Special Town Meeting in 2020 after Town Meeting approved the conceptual design. The approved plan will establish an elevator on the exterior of the building, restore the majority of the large meeting space on the second floor, and preserve the grand double-staircase and stage area.

During the past year, the THBC has worked with LLB Architects to complete the Town Hall restoration and preservation project's design and development. The process involved input from many citizens and the Hamilton Historic District Commission (HHDC). The final design is complete and formally put out to bid on Sept. 23. The process to this point has cost the town about $800,000 for a project that will cost just more than $9 million, including all design, temporary offices, and moving costs.

The THBC and the design team have made many efforts to save residents money on the project. The committee struck an understanding with Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary for virtually rent-free space for town employees and operations during the planned two-year construction period. The approved plan will save many elements within the existing building, which will result in savings during the fit-out of the temporary office space.

The bids will be opened on Nov. 6, immediately before Special Town Meeting on Nov. 14. Special Town Meeting will consider the actual cost of construction, including all costs associated with temporary office space and moving for the project the estimated costs as of Sept. 29 is $7,924,474.

The THBC received favorable consideration for $3 million in funding from the Community Preservation Committee. If Town Meeting approves the CPC recommendation for $3 million, voters will vote on a $4.9 in a debt-exclusion ballot question. That question would be on a town election ballot on Dec. 3.

The THBC has gained site plan approval from the Planning board, Zoning Approval from the Board of Appeals, and has received support from the Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee, and the Hamilton Historic District Commission.

This press release was produced by the Town of Hamilton. The views expressed here are the author's own.

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Learn About The Hamilton Town Hall Building Project And Upcoming Votes - Patch.com

NEWPORT NEWS, VA - DF Ventures, a business unit ofDrucker + Falk, has announced the sale of a 710-unit, three property portfolio toThe Kushner Companiesfor $113.0 million. The portfolio consists ofChesapeake Bay Apartmentslocated in Newport News, VA,Hanover Crossingin Mechanicsville, VA, andWilde Lake Apartmentslocated in Henrico, VA.

J Guy Buck, CFO of Drucker + Falk, said, This was a great opportunity to leverage DF Multifamilys management and renovation expertise. We are very proud to have delivered extraordinary returns to our investors. DF Ventures, along with a partner, acquired the properties in May of 2016 for $68.5 million and implemented a $10.5 million renovation plan across the three properties which, combined with stellar property management, resulted in an average return on investment exceeding 30% annually.

DF Ventures is very pleased with the success of our value-add business plan for this portfolio. Renovating each communitys clubhouse and upgrading amenities has resulted in higher leasing traffic, and renovating unit interiors, curing deferred maintenance, and enhancing exteriors has vastly improved curb appeal, said DF Ventures Director, Eric Skow.

Exterior renovations included: replacing vinyl siding at Hanover Crossing Apartments in Richmond metro areas Hanover County with hardiplank; painting exteriors at Chesapeake Bay and Wilde Lake; asphalt renovations, replacing or repairing patios, and window replacement at Wilde Lake; and repairing balconies and stairwells, adding dog parks, swimming pool and pool deck resurfacing, and upgrading pool furniture at the properties. Apartment home renovations included kitchen and bath upgrades including cabinets, countertops, new brushed nickel hardware throughout, modern lighting package, vinyl plank flooring, replacing polybutylene piping at two of the properties and new appliances. Residents, prospects, local residents, and businesses were ecstatic with the transformation of the communities, new color choices, new 24-hour fitness centers, and clubhouses.

DF Ventures extends their appreciation to Charles Wentworth, Hank Hankins, Will Matthews, and the Colliers Multifamily Investment Sales team for their marketing of the portfolio and help concluding a very successful sales transaction.

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Drucker + Falk Announces 710-Unit Three Property Portfolio Sale in Virginia to The Kushner Companies for $113 Million - MultifamilyBiz.com

Posted: Oct 19, 2020 / 03:14 PM EDT / Updated: Oct 19, 2020 / 03:14 PM EDT

Congratulations to Michele Fricano of Syracuse. Shes the winner of Everyone Deserves a Roof Over Their Head, our contest with The Roofing Guys. Her entry was chosen by a panel of judges to receive a new roof.

The prize includes a roof replacement or repair including materials and labor from The Roofing Guys, valued at up to $10,000. Angela Flynn of The Roofing Guys says Micheles short essay touched her heart. Michele can expect her new roof to be installed before Thanksgiving.

If youre looking for a new roof, check out The Roofing Guys. Theyre a family owned and operated business that strives to offer excellent roofing and siding services. They are fully insured and offer free estimates. Connect with them at 315-640-3351 or TheRoofingGuysCNY.com.

Their goal: To Make Customers Happy Every Shingle Time.

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The Roofing Guys Help A Family In Need With New Roof - WSYR

DODGE CITY, Kan. (KSNW) A new Kansas Department of Transportation Short Line Rail Fund program will be bringing much-needed upgrades to rail systems across the state.

The project is part of Governor Kellys IKE Program and will fund five million dollars annually for three years toward improving railway grain transportation.

There are a total of 13 renovations taking place on three short-line railway systems across the state aiming to improve and build nearly 15 miles of track.

Four of the projects will be focused on improvements to short-line rails, and the other nine projects will bring repairs to grain elevators.

It will really benefit rural Kansas and a lot of small communities, some of which, dont have rail service to their grain elevators, said Ron Seeber, president and CEO Kansas Grain and Feed Association.

Railways are critical in the transportation of grain. The USDA reported rail cars account for a quarter of all grain shipments.

Rail is one of the most cost-effective ways to get grain from the farmer to the end-user, said Seeber.

The project will repair and increase the capacity of bridges, improve elevator siding, lay down additional tracks, and allow more grain cars to be filled at once.

For farmers, this could mean less trucking and quicker payments.

For farmers, instead of having to drive their truck all the way to an elevator a county away, if this is centrally located, they can just bring it to the rail stop, said Seeber.

For towns, the project creates an economic lifeline.

The railways will now be able to put up to 2,400 grain cars on the tracks each year, taking an estimated 10,000 semis, or motor-carrier trucks, off the highways.

This is expected to create less wear on state roads while helping provide a small-amount of relief for the transportation industry and its current shortage of licensed commercial drivers.

It will allow for a lot more railcars to be serviced in rural Kansas, said Seeber.

The Cimarron Valley Railway will be the largest of the 13 projects. The line of tracks will see rail replacement and bridge repairs totaling nearing $1.1 million in grant money alone.

The total investment of all the renovations will reach nearly $7 million dollars. It will be funded 70% by the state and 30% by the applicants.

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Renovations to rural rail service estimated to take nearly 10,000 semis off the roadways - KSN-TV

Protesters saved the Weddle Covered Bridge in Sweet Home, Oregon, and helped protect the rest of the state's covered bridges.

After the construction of a concrete bridge further down Thomas Creek in 1980, the Weddle Covered Bridge fell into disuse, was deemed unsafe, and slated for demolition later that decade, according to Covered-bridges.org. This sparked outrage among local bridge enthusiasts, leading to protests and one individual even chaining himself to a bulldozer.

This all attracted the attention of Senator Mae Yih, a covered bridge enthusiast herself, who led the Oregon Legislature to establish the Oregon Covered Bridge Program, which helps cover the costs of repairing and maintaining the state's covered bridges. The Weddle Covered Bridge was the first to receive a grant from the program and in 1989, the bridge was moved to its current location over Ames Creek.

The Artist's Bridge in Newry, Maine, is named after an American painter who loved the structure.

Every artist has their muse. For John Joseph Enneking, one of America's first impressionist painters, it was the Sunday River Bridge in Newry, Maine. According to Atlas Obscura, after Enneking finished his duty as a Union soldier in the Civil War, he devoted himself to painting. He became so skilled that he was one of the first Americans to paint Claude Monet's garden.

Over the years Enneking became a master of painting New England's landscapes and, though he lived in Boston, loved traveling to Newry. Enneking was seen painting en plein air near the bridge so often that it became commonly referred to as Artist's Bridge.

The Stark Covered Bridge in New Hampshire's Stark Village was swept downstream in the 1890s but still handles traffic today.

When the Stark Covered Bridge was built in 1862, it only had one central pier holding up the structure. This proved to be no match for the Upper Ammonoosuc River, which, during high waters in the 1890s, destroyed the pier and pulled the bridge downstream, according to the State of New Hampshire. A team of men and oxen had to pull the bridge back to its proper location, where it was repaired and placed on a new set of stone piers.

Campbell's Covered Bridge in Gowensville, South Carolina, is the state's last standing covered bridge.

Now located in a Greenville County park, Campbell's Covered Bridge and the nearby grist mill are perfect places to take in the fall foliage.

At only 38 feet long, it's one of America's smaller covered bridges. But its impact on local communities was felt. According to the SC Picture Project, Campbell's Covered Bridge connected several rural communities and turned what was once a 25-mile, day-long trip into one that took only an hour.

The Philippi Covered Bridge in Philippi, West Virginia, is the only covered bridge in use by the US Highway System.

On June 3, 1861, the first land battle of the Civil War took place in Philippi, West Virginia. During the course of the battle, Union troops took control of the Philippi Covered Bridge and used it as barracks, according to West Virginia Tourism.

Today, despite 60% of the bridge burning in 1989, the double-barreled 286-foot-long bridge, which was built in 1852, is the only remaining covered bridge in service by the US Federal Highway System, transporting cars on US Route 250, according to WDTV.

The Flume Covered Bridge in Lincoln, New Hampshire, is named after a nearby gorge.

Located in Lincoln, New Hampshire, the picturesque Flume Covered Bridge overlooks the Pemigewasset River in Franconia Notch State Park. It is debated whether the candy-apple red structure was built in 1871 or 1886, but regardless, it one of the oldest covered bridges in the state. According to New Hampshire State Parks, bridges like Flume "were often called 'kissing bridges' because of the darkness and privacy they provided."

Today, only park traffic such as tour buses are allowed to drive through the bridge. But there's a walkway attached to the bridge's north side so that hikers can travel to its namesake, Flume Gorge, which extends 800 feet at the base of Mount Liberty.

The Felton Covered Bridge in Felton, California, is the tallest in the US.

Originally constructed in 1892 as the main access point into Felton, California, the Felton Covered Bridge is now only used for pedestrian traffic. It stretches 80 feet across the San Lorenzo River and stands a whopping 35 feet tall, making it the tallest covered bridge in the country, according to Culture Trip. The bridge is also reportedly haunted by the ghost of a woman who was killed there after she was accused of being a witch.

Connecticut's West Cornwall Covered Bridge is one of the most iconic in all of New England.

After years of trying and failing to construct a bridge to span the Housatonic River, the 172-foot-long West Cornwall Covered Bridge in West Cornwall, Connecticut, was built in 1841 and still carries traffic to this day. But its longevity hasn't come without issues.

According to Connecticut History.org, as traffic advanced, the safety of the bridge was questioned, leading to its temporary closure in the 1920s. In 1945 a 20-ton oil tanker fell through the bridge's floor and in 1968, the State of Connecticut planned on replacing the bridge until the local community petitioned to renovate it instead. In 1973 the state's Department of Transportation inserted a steel support deck that has not only kept the structure healthy well into the 21st century but also won an award from the Federal Highway Administration for historic preservation.

The bridge has grown to become one of the most popular in New England, inspiring historian Michael Gannett to pen "A Historical Guide to the West Cornwall Covered Bridge," and earning it a spot in the opening scenes of the 1967 movie "Valley of the Dolls."

A quirky arch defines Humpback Covered Bridge in Covington, Virginia.

Built in 1857, Humpback Bridge is Virginia's oldest remaining covered bridge, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. Spanning 100 feet across Dunlap Creek, it is 4 feet higher in the middle, giving the bridge its iconic arched structure.

Traffic hasn't crossed the bridge since 1929, and for many years the bridge was neglected and became rundown at one point a nearby farmer used the bridge to store hay. But in 1954 the bridge was reopened to the public as a tourism spot, following local fundraising efforts to restore it.

Goodpasture Covered Bridge near Vida, Oregon, is famous for its louvered windows.

Stretching 165 feet across the McKenzie River, the Goodpasture Covered Bridge, built in 1938, is truly one of a kind. While some covered bridges are open on the sides so pedestrians can admire the surrounding landscape, Goodpasture features 10 Gothic-style louvered windows on each side, which have helped make it, as Eugene Cascades & Coast writes, "Oregon's most frequently photographed covered bridge."

Though the bridge is picturesque among the fall foliage, during the holidays the bridge is lit up using LED lights and decorated with Christmas trimmings, turning it into an even more photogenic destination.

The Horton Mill Covered Bridge is one of three intact structures that make Blount County, Alabama, the state's covered bridge capital.

Towering 70 feet above the Calvert Prong of the Little Warrior River, the Horton Mill Covered Bridge in Oneonta, Alabama, is the highest covered bridge above a body of water in the US, according to Alabama.com. Built in 1935, the 208-foot-long bridge is one of three bridges in Blount County that make it the state's covered bridge capital. After a renovation in 2013, the bridge reopened to traffic.

The bridge features a dedicated nature trail, which has become a popular spot for local bird watchers to spot resident and migratory birds. It is also the site of the state's annual Covered Bridge Festival.

The Roseman Covered Bridge in Winterset, Iowa, is Hollywood famous and reportedly haunted.

Popularized by the novel and film "The Bridges of Madison County," the Roseman Covered Bridge in Winterset, Iowa, is one of six and arguably the most famous remaining bridges of the original 19 structures erected in the area. The bridge, built in 1883, is not only famous for being the romantic backdrop for Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep it's also reportedly haunted.

According to Only In Your State, there are two spooky folktales involving the bridge. The first tells the story of a father's disapproval of his daughter's boyfriend. One night, the young man rode toward his lover's house intent on being with her but found the father and his friends instead. They chased him back across the bridge but when the horse appeared on the other side, the young man was nowhere to be found.

The second tells the tale of an escaped convict who, when blocked off on both sides of the bridge by the sheriff's men, reportedly screamed and disappeared into thin air, never to be found.

Pioneers and miners first used the Wowana Covered Bridge in the Yosemite Valley during the mid-1800s.

One of the few remaining covered bridges in California, the Wawona Covered Bridge was once the gateway for pioneers and tourists to travel to Yosemite National Park. According to the National Park Service, the bridge was constructed in 1857 and extends 130 feet across the South Fork of the Merced River. It wasn't actually covered until 1879, when a trio of brothers from Vermont who ran the nearby Wawona Hotel felt homesick and decided to add walls and a steeply pitched ceiling which, according to their granddaughters, reminded them of the covered bridges and houses back home in New England.

Throughout the years, many famous people traveled to Yosemite National Park via the Wawona bridge, including Theodore Roosevelt and Ralph Waldo Emerson.

The Cornish-Windsor Bridge connecting New Hampshire and Vermont is the longest wooden bridge in America.

Built in 1866, the Cornish-Windsor Bridge crosses the Connecticut River and connects the towns of Cornish, New Hampshire, and Windsor, Vermont. According to the State of New Hampshire's website, at 449 feet and 5 inches, the bridge is the longest wooden bridge in the country and the longest two-span covered bridge in the world.

Prior to its construction, three other bridges existed in its place but were all destroyed by floods. The Cornish-Windsor bridge also suffered flood and ice damage in 1977, eventually forcing it to be closed to traffic in 1987. In 1989, after a $4.4 million renovation, the bridge reopened to traffic.

Union and Confederate troops used the Sachs Covered Bridge in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, during the Civil War.

For over 100 years after David Stoner built this 100-foot-long bridge in 1852, pedestrian traffic flowed over Marsh Creek via the Sachs Covered Bridge; in 1968 it was closed to automobiles. Today it's still a popular tourist attraction. According to Destination Gettysburg, the Department of Highways, in 1938, designated the bridge as Pennsylvania's "most historic bridge," largely due to its use by both Union and Confederate troops during the Civil War.

Perhaps because of its proximity to the location of the Battle of Gettysburg, where more than 50,000 Union and Confederate troops died, the bridge is reported to be one of the most haunted spots in the state. According to Civil War Ghosts, at least three Southern soldiers were executed at the bridge; visitors report seeing three heads floating on the bridge at night, and some claim they've even snapped pictures of the three soldiers' ghosts. Visitors have also reported feeling taps on their shoulders and hearing the sound of gunshots.

The Portland Mills Covered Bridge in Parke County, Indiana, was saved from demolition and is now the perfect backdrop for a picture.

Five years after its construction in 1865, the Portland Mills Covered Bridge was scheduled for demolition. The Town of Portland Mills was to be filled in as a part of the project to create Lake Mansfield, according to Raccoon Lake's website. Instead, in 1961 the bridge was moved to the location of the Dooley Station Covered Bridge, which was destroyed in an act of arson in 1960. After various restorative efforts throughout the last century, the bridge is now open to traffic.

The Newfield Covered Bridge in Newfield, New York, was supposed to feature a European-style mural until the artist died.

When the Newfield Covered Bridge was built from 1851-1853, it originally featured solid siding along the length of the structure. But later, according to the Newfield Historical Society, diamond-shaped windows were cut to let light in and to observe the West Branch of the Cayuga Inlet.

Legend has it that $200 of the original $800 it cost to build the structure were intended for a decorative mural like the ones commonly found in covered bridges in Lucerne, Switzerland. But the artist died and no one could agree on a replacement before the start of the Civil War. The bridge has had to be reconstructed twice and in 1969 it was almost torn down, but Grant and Marie Musser who are nicknamed the "Keepers of the Bridge," saved the structure.

Floods and fires destroyed the four bridges that preceded Bath Covered Bridge in Bath, New Hampshire.

Based on the Town of Bath's history of covered bridges crossing the Ammonoosuc River, it's a miracle the Bath Covered Bridge has handled traffic since its construction in 1832. The area's first three bridges were lost to floods and the fourth burned down, according to theState of New Hampshire.

In March 1833, the town voted to post a sign (that still hangs today) reading "ONE DOLLAR FINE TO DRIVE ANY TEAM FASTER THAN A WALK ON THIS BRIDGE," encouraging people to "walk" their horses across the structure instead of gallop, fearing that the impact would cause the fifth bridge to collapse, according toHistoric Structures.

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21 beautiful covered bridges to visit on a fall road trip - Insider - INSIDER

It seems like the Nevada City tree issue isnt going to leave anytime soon.

A groundswell of support for keeping the trees was followed by a local judge granting an injunction to stop PG&E from cutting them. The judge then reversed course and said he didnt have that authority.

Fast forward a bit and supporters this week climbed into the trees at Pioneer Cemetery as PG&E workers waited nearby. Officers responded to the scene. A police blotter entry states PG&E asked police to move the protesters so it could remove the trees.

The situation deescalated when the workers left.

All this makes you wonder what happened to the spirit of compromise around this issue.

The organizer of the Facebook group Saving Nevada Citys Trees has said he realizes most of the trees have to go. Theres over 260 of them. The group has indicated there are around two dozen of them that should be saved, with about half of those on private land and the other half on city-owned property.

And everything seemed to be going swimmingly, even with the judges ruling that the trees couldnt come down immediately. There was talk of a working group comprised of several different factions that could reach an agreement.

Discussion amongst different groups with opposing goals reaching compromise a fever dream realized.

Now were awake and reality has dealt us a hard lesson.

As with most problems, no one side holds all the blame, though all can play a role in bringing this situation to a successful conclusion.

For starters, PG&E could stop trying to cut every tree on its list while crowing about a fiat granted by the Public Utilities Commission. We get it. You have the authority to cut the trees. Now sit down at the negotiating table and work with the other players. Its much wiser to build goodwill in this way instead of burning it up.

And God knows PG&E could use some goodwill after the debacle of the past two years.

The Nevada City Council should take a stand instead of meekly ceding power to PG&E. Does it support the trees removal? Then do something about people loitering in trees on city property. Want PG&E to shove off? Then take the issue to a higher court.

Looking for the middle road? Then help bring everyone to the table. Well all be better for it.

As for the tree supporters dont say youve done everything you can, so now youre going to sit in a tree and risk arrest. Many of these trees are on city property. If the city wants them gone, thats it. Getting council members on your side is a better, and more effective, method of achieving your goals.

As for private property owners. Many, if not all, want their trees removed. Thats their business. Theyre not telling you what to do with your property.

But if tree advocates feel that strongly about it, maybe private property owners would like a seat at that table, too.

Theres a lot more at stake here than the loss of some trees. There are liability issues when a tree falls during a storm and takes power lines with it. No one wants to go to court to find out whos at fault.

Lets take a few steps back, take a few breaths and think this through. No side involved in this needs to go to extremes. A working group could reach an agreement, and identify the trees that absolutely must go.

If this is the route taken, a deadline must be set. Government meetings already can drone on for hours. Put time limits on discussions, and circle a day on the calendar.

In the meantime, cut the trees everyone agrees need to go. This is a compromise already forged.

Its worth giving this a shot. Invoking the power of the Public Utilities Commission, or alternatively camping out in trees, doesnt help, and only exacerbates the problem.

We need to work together on this, instead of barking up the wrong tree.

The weekly Our View editorial represents the consensus opinion of The Union Editorial Board, a group of editors and writers from The Union, as well as informed community members. Contact the board at EditBoard@TheUnion.com.

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Our View: Barking up the wrong tree - The Union of Grass Valley

Allen Worrell/The Carroll News

The Carroll County Historical Society has requested the Carroll County Board of Supervisors remove the evergreen tree on the historic courthouse lawn and add two interpretive signs, including one for the Confederate solider monument.

The Carroll County Historical Society has requested the Carroll County Board of Supervisors remove the evergreen tree on the historic courthouse lawn in Hillsville and add two interpretive signs, including one for the Confederate solider monument that stands guard over the courthouse.

In a letter written to Carroll County Interim Administrator Cellell Dalton dated September 30, the Carroll County Historical Society requests removal of the tree in addition to permission to place a pair of interpretive signs on the lawn of the Historic Carroll County Courthouse Lawn. The evergreen has served as the centerpiece for the Tree Lighting Ceremony each December for the annual Christmas Parade in Hillsville.

The letter is written and signed by Carroll County Historical Society President Shelby Inscore-Puckett.

The Carroll County Historical Society has two requests concerning the historic Courthouse in Hillsville. First, we would like to see the evergreen tree removed from the front lawn; and second, we would like to have two interpretative signs located on the lawn, Inscore-Puckett wrote in the letter to Carroll supervisors. The evergreen tree has outgrown its space and now blocks the view of the historic courthouse, which is architecturally unique in the state of Virginia. The combination features of columns and arches, portico and porch are not found in any other courthouse in the state. The experiences of viewers and visitors would be enhanced by the removal of the tree and the placement of an interpretative sign about this historic building.

Inscore-Puckett continued by saying trees on the courthouse lawn have been an issue for a long time. To demonstrate her point, the historical society president included two articles one from September of 1953 and a second undated article, noting no source was available for either article. The article from 1953 states:

The county has never been content with the trees on the courthouse lawn. In 1872, there were locusts planted, but they were cut in the early 30s, the 1953 article said. Then these fruit trees were planted and after these, a huge pine or cedar was put there along with a Paw Paw tree. They too, all bit the dust. Now, Ive heard that the current foliage is about to be removed. Talk about waffling!

The second article, which is undated, begins with the headline, Trees On Court House Lawn Felled. The article reads as follows:

The orchard was chopped down in the Court House lawn Wednesday morning leaving a barren appearance on each side of the steps leading from the vent. A peach and an apple tree plus a lot of nice shade from the summer sun was sacrificed to a cutting tool. The shrubbery that will take their place should add to the elegance of the already stately Court House and premises, however. For some time, various individuals and organizations have endeavored to have some action taken on removing the trees, which practically hid the front of the courthouse. So, acting under orders, Dan Combs, Sanitation and Street Cleaning Commission of the Town, grabbed his trusty axe and at (time unreadable) on Wednesday he laid the orchard low.

According to Inscore-Puckett, the most recent Paw Paw tree that had been on the courthouse lawn broke in 2010 before being removed entirely later that year. She said the second requested interpretative sign would be for the statue of the Confederate solider in the courthouse lawn.

Since closing the museum we have noticed a good number of people who come to visit the statue (and they usually take pictures). Without the availability of museum staff or volunteers to answer questions or offer background information about the statue, there is a lack of information the Historical Society believes important to provide through an interpretative sign, Inscore-Puckett said.

She concluded the letter by saying the historical society is researching signage specifications and costs, which they will provide to the board as soon as they are available. Some sample signs can be found online at the website of Imperial-Images in Mount Airy, N.C., she said.

We hope the Board of Supervisors will agree that these two actions would be an enhancement for visitors to the courthouse and that they will approve and support the Historical Society in moving forward with these projects, lnscore-Puckett said.

UPDATE

The Carroll County Board of Supervisors took up the historicals society request during its Oct. 13 meeting. After hearing the presentation, Supervisor Rex Hill said he didnt have a problem with the interpretive signs, but wanted to wait before making a decision on the tree.

Ive got a little bit of concern about the removal of the tree until at least we check with Hillsville. They use that for the Christmas Tree lighting every year, Hill said. Whether or not we get to put another tree up or plant another tree is something we should consider.

Chairman Dr. Tom Littrell said the county could break the requests up and didnt have to do them both at the same time.

I make a motion we approve the intrepretive signs and then have a discussion with the Town of HIllsville on the tree, Hill said.

Supervisor Tracy Moore seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Allen Worrell can be reached at (276) 779-4062 or on Twitter@AWorrellTCN

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Carroll asked to remove tree from courthouse lawn - The Carroll News

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With the removal of an unusually large oak tree from a Lunds & Byerlys parking lot, a Richfield landmark is no more.

The tree, located at6228 Penn Ave S, was on the chopping block due to a new housing development going in near the store; according to city documents, developers had hoped to save the tree, though it appears to have been taken down as a result of infrastructural upgrades at the site.

This is despite a community effort to save the old oak. There was a Change.org position that gathered hundreds of signatures and a "Save the Lunds and Byerlys Oak Tree" group launched bySandi Spanieron Facebook.

A Friday post from the page informed its followers that the tree had been cut down.

An announcement from Lunds & Byerlys Richfield explains that the oak's removal was necessary to make way for the construction project which will bring about 130"highly sought-after"residential units as well as a store remodel. The post explains that it's all part of "the revitalization taking place all along Penn Avenue":

In a recent post on the "Save the Tree" Facebook group,Spanier said she spoke to the arborist who'd been caring for the tree for the last 20 years, and found out that the oak was an estimated150-200 years old.

Steve Strm, Facebook

Spanier says the arborist, who was apparently not informed about the development plan, brought the tree back from the brink in the 1990s, and that Lunds & Byerlys has spent thousands of dollars on its maintenance since.

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Amid opposition, beloved 'Lunds & Byerlys tree' in Richfield comes down - Bring Me The News

Also Offering Stump Removal, Tree Pruning, Tree Trimming a Various Tree Management Services

This press release was orginally distributed by SBWire

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For more information on this press release visit: http://www.sbwire.com/press-releases/trusted-reliable-and-certified-arborists-offering-expert-tree-removal-in-adelaide-1309667.htm

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Trusted, Reliable and Certified Arborists Offering Expert Tree Removal in Adelaide - Press Release - Digital Journal

Jerry and Sigrid Oaklief were unable to watch the spectacular sunsets from their front porch over Mobile Bay for weeks after Hurricane Sally pummeled coastal Alabama. Piles of debris blocked the view.

Some of that debris remains, but piles upon piles continue to be pulled to the roadsides from Baldwin Countys coast to the northern part of the county. Residents in Mobile County have also been placing large tree trunks and shrubbery on the sides of roadways while waiting for overworked crews to remove it.

The existing debris is just part of the vegetative mess in coastal Alabama that was damaged from Hurricane Sally. Trees are visibly leaning, collapsed power lines are still laying on the side of streets and acres of farmland are still scattered with large limbs.

Im just wondering that if everyone starts cleaning up the woods and dragging it out to the highway, that this (cleanup) could go on for years, said Jerry Oaklief, while sitting outside the Fairhope bungalow that he and his wife are temporarily living in after having to evacuate their Magnolia Springs home flooded during the storm.

Few streets in Baldwin County are without some sort of piled-up debris more than four weeks after slow-moving Hurricane Sally made landfall near Gulf Shores and created widespread damage throughout the county.

Crews are working to remove both vegetative and household debris left over in the storms wake, but there is not a set timeline for completion and the ending dates vary from city to city and county to county. In Baldwin County, officials anticipate it could take well into March 2021, before the debris removal is complete. Mobile County officials are alerting residents to bring their all their debris to the side of the road by October 25.

We are seeing the level of debris youd see during a Category 3 storm from a vegetative perspective, said Reid Loper, vice-president of Mobile-based CrowderGulf, a family-owned company with 50 years of experience in hauling debris from hurricane-damaged areas. The company has the contract to oversee debris removal for most of Baldwin County Daphne, Fairhope, Spanish Fort, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Bay Minette, and the unincorporated portions of the county. The company also has a contract through the Alabama Department of Transportation to handle debris removal along the interstates and state highways.

Said Loper, This was a much more significant debris event than what it has been displayed in the national media.

225 football fields of debris

Hurricane Sally damage to Dauphin Island, Alabama. Sunken boats and heavily damaged docks at the marina. In coastal cities around Alabama, the cleanup of marina debris is expected to last for awhile. (Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com).Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com

And there are some indications that, once CrowderGulf and other contractors are finished, the amount of debris left over from Sally will exceed any hurricane that has hit Alabama in at least 40 years. The amount of debris is expected to exceed Hurricane Ivan, a Category 3 storm that slammed into Baldwin County in 2004 and is often viewed as the most powerful hurricane to make landfall in the county in recent years.

According to Loper, his company hauled 2.4 million cubic yards of debris following Ivan; and 23 days after Sally struck, the company has hauled an estimated 1.8 million cubic yards.

When people think that operations are not moving as quickly as it should, they need to put it into perspective, said Loper. Its been a long time since Baldwin County has been hit with a storm. Debris is a function of not only the intensity of the storm, but also the function and population and households. Baldwin County has grown quite a bit since 2004, when Hurricane Ivan hit. Its definitely boomed. So, as far as ranking comparative to Ivan, I think the debris totals will exceed Ivan by quite a bit.

The numbers that city officials throughout coastal Alabama are releasing are staggering. Some highlights:

In Bienville Square in the heart of downtown Mobile, one of the large oak trees ringing the central fountain broke off at ground level during the passage of Hurricane Sally.Lawrence Specker | LSpecker@AL.com

-Mobile, where scenic parks and historic neighborhoods were inundated with downed oak trees, city officials estimate that close to 70% of the estimated 381,360 cubic yards of trash and debris has been removed. According to a newsletter released Tuesday by Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, the amount of debris would cover more than 1 million square feet enough to fill up the Mobile Civic Center Arena four times.

-Gulf Shores, where Sallys eyewall made landfill, crews are about 70% completed with the clearing debris from residential areas. The city has 27 trucks working to complete the process which city officials hope is wrapped up in a few weeks. So far, 250,000 cubic yards has been removed by the city, which they estimate to be the equivalent of 225 football fields.

Related: Small town, big comeback: Gulf Shores celebrates homecoming and football after Hurricane Sally

-Orange Beach, where homes were heavily damaged by storm surge from Sally, 65% of debris has been removed from city streets and sidewalks, but only 20% has been removed from waterways. As of Monday, 327,000 cubic yards of debris had been removed including 18,000 cubic yards from the waterways. The typical storm-generated marine debris includes destroyed piers, decks and boat houses, and personal property inside them that includes vessels, coolers, tackles, nets, and downed trees. According to Phillip West, the city of Orange Beachs Coastal Resource Director, the city estimates that over 90% of all marine structures (such as docks, piers, and boat houses) suffered substantial damage from Hurricane Sally i.e., more than 50% of their value.

-Fairhope, where massive oak trees were toppled throughout the Fruit and Nut District, work is ongoing to have the debris removed by November 19, which is the traditional Lighting of the Trees event in downtown Fairhope. As of Monday, the city was reporting that 113,000 cubic yards of debris had been removed.

-Foley has contracted with Auburn-based D&J Enterprises Inc., for its post-storm cleanup. As of Monday, the city of Foley had removed 322,000 cubic yards of debris while removing 501 leaning trees and 4,139 limbs, according to City Administrator Mike Thompson.

-Robertsdale contracted with TFR Enterprises of Austin, Texas, for its cleanup. Mayor Charles Murphy, on Thursday, said he anticipated the company finishing up its work within the next seven days, after which city work crews will be charged with further debris removal.

Public safety concern

Officials in Baldwin and Mobile counties remain concerned about public safety as the mounds of debris continue to pile up. Mobile County officials are asking the public to be mindful when placing debris near the roads. They are also concerned over piles of debris building up in the ditches, which could block the flow of water during rain evens and lead to washouts of roads and driveways. County officials are also encouraging people report a dangerous situation through email at HurricaneSallyDebrisRemoval@mobilecountyal.gov or to call 251-574-4930.

Baldwin County Sheriff Huey Hoss Mack said while there hasnt been any public safety incident from the debris, he is concerned about it.

Most of this debris is put on the right of way and individuals need to make sure that they are keeping the debris away from the fog line of the roadway, said Mack. Theres also an increased concern as the debris continues to age of possible fires. Individuals need to make sure they are not throwing anything from their vehicles such as cigarette butts or any other trash into these piles.

A burn ban remains in effect until October 31.

Mack said that peanut harvest season in Baldwin County is also likely to create additional traffic hazards.

A lot of agricultural equipment is being moved on the roadways, said Mack. Due to the debris on the side of the road, this may cause an additional traffic hazard. Individuals are asked to pay particular attention to any agricultural equipment and when able to pull off the roadway and allow the agricultural equipment to get by.

Related: Pecan farming: Future of growing Alabamas state nut murky in Baldwin County after Hurricane Sally

FEMA-driven cleanup

The debris cleanup is being financed largely by the federal government after President Donald Trump declared a federal disaster for 13 counties in Alabama. The declaration allows for individual and public financial assistances from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. For debris cleanup, 75% of it is reimbursed through FEMA assistance while the state and local governments pitch in an additional 12.5%.

Counties and cities are providing loose estimates on how much the cleanup will cost, acknowledging that they wont know the extent of the expenses until the project is completed. Gulf Shores, for instance, estimates their debris removal costing around $8 million. Mobile County is estimating a cleanup cost of around $6 million.

In Daphne, original estimates were around $2.5 million but Mayor Dane Haygood anticipates it could be higher. He said the costs to the city are expected to run around $350,000 to $400,000, which he describes as unexpected but very manageable.

We implemented a reserve policy and set aside $8 million, said Haygood. Between COVID and the hurricane, this is why we have a reserve to make sure we can make it through the rainy days.

The FEMA involvement in the cleanup is one of the reasons why the process of removing the debris can seem meticulous.

Loper, with CrowderGulf, said the company has set up 19 debris management sites (DMS) throughout Baldwin County where the debris is hauled, measured, and ground down into wood chips where its hauled to a landfill. At each DMS is a third-party monitoring firm hired through separate contracts by each governmental entity that measures the volume of the debris that is collected within each truck.

Thats how we are paid on volume of debris hauled, said Loper. We are not paid by the hour, but we are paid on the actual volume of debris that is hauled.

He said that CrowderGulf subcontracts with crews that the company has worked with us for 20-plus years and who are familiar with the rules and regulations set by FEMA.

CrowderGulfs trucks and its subcontractors, according to Loper, will handle approximately three passes through streets in the cities where they are working. Haygood, in Daphne, said he anticipated the first pass through his city to be completed by the weekend.

The time frames toward completion will vary, Loper said, based on a city governments desire and how robust a public works department is to handle the continued operations.

Some cities collect for a long time, other places want three straight passes and no matter what is left, they will say, go home.

Haygood said in Daphne that they want CrowderGulf to make additional passes, and to continue doing the work for at least 60 more days.

I want to make sure we are giving citizens time to get their debris, he said. For some, its a financial burden or a physical toll to get the trees cut up and taken out to the road. Our aim is to have a second and a third pass.

Loper, who has been with CrowderGulf for the past 10 years, calls Hurricane Sallys cleanup a citizen-driven event. He said that estimates on the amount of debris collected and hauled will change quite a bit as more of it is hauled to the roadways and removed during subsequent passes through the county.

All told, more than 300 trucks are rumbling through Baldwin County daily. Loper said the company is doing about 4,000 dump truck loads of debris each day.

Typically, for a total debris collection operation, people are looking along the lines of three to four months with the county taking a bit longer because there is a much (larger) area of debris in the unincorporated area, said Loper.

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Tree trunks, limbs everywhere: Hurricane Sallys debris will exceed Ivan by quite a bit - AL.com