Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

"You cannot replace a forest of mature trees with three- to five-foot bushes and trees."

Editor:

I heartily agree that the city is allowing too many trees that provide us with oxygen, soil stabilization and shelter, both from the heat and for wildlife, to be cut.

I am looking at eight 60- to 80-foot cedars, spruce, pine and fir trees from my kitchen window, growing on a lot slated for development, and I have been told by the developer that they are trying to save three of them. If we were to sell our lot, our gorgeous large cedars, hemlock and big-leaf maples would also likely come down.

A forest around the corner, at Malvern and Hazard, was removed several years ago to accommodate the development of six lots with a view of Deer Lake, two of which are still on the market and which look like they might be unstable.

A small part of the area has been replanted, but you cannot replace a forest of mature trees with three- to five-foot bushes and trees. The wildlife disappeared.

Same story with another lot around the same corner, and one behind us, where extremely large homes resulted in the removal of the trees.

The city has also done its own fair share of cutting trees deemed to be unstable because they might fall down.

These examples amount to four tree removal projects within a block-and-a-half of us. I do not know what Burnaby is thinking, but they would do well to look at developments in Vancouver where large apartments have been built, leaving very tall trees intact (e.g. West 10th and Maple).

I believe owners and developers also need to take some responsibility in preventing damage from further climate change by leaving our green canopy as isand designing with that in mind.

Marion Shikaze

SOUND OFF: Is Burnaby doing enough to save trees? What should be done to helppreserve the city's tree canopy and greenspaces as Burnabydevelops?Share your thoughts send us a letter.

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Burnaby politics: City of Burnaby, BC needs to save trees - Burnaby Now

Over the last few days, we have received a few inquiries about construction and tree removal activity along Webb Bridge Road between Alpharetta High School and the Big Creek Greenway. The activity and similar work underway near the intersection of Webb Bridge Way is related to the latest phases of the Webb Bridge Road Improvement Project.

You may recall seeing information in mid-March in local news media, on our website and social media channels, or in our newsletter about this work beginning. (Reference the original article).

The two phases of the project that are currently under construction include the replacement of the bridge over Big Creek and construction of a new roundabout at the intersection of Webb Bridge Road and Webb Bridge Way. The overall project stretches from Webb Bridge Way westward to Morris Road but is divided into five segments:

Phase 1: Extending the Culvert/Tunnel and access to Big Creek Greenway from Webb Bridge Road

Phase 2: Webb Bridge Park to Maid Marion Close including a roundabout at Webb Bridge Way

Phase 3: Maid Marion Way to the Big Creek Greenway

Phase 4: Big Creek Greenway to North Point Parkway

Phase 5: North Point Parkway to Morris Road

The project is designed to advance Webb Bridge Roads role as a residential collector corridor through a design that reduces vehicular speeds and elevates operational safety while also providing enhanced pedestrian, bicycle, and landscape amenities. It will narrow the width of the travel lanes on Webb Bridge Road to 10.5 feet, which will allow for a reduction in the speed limit and allow for the addition of multi-use paths, bike lanes, landscaped medians, pedestrian lighting, and other amenities.

Work on the Webb Bridge Road Improvement Project began in 2016 with a series of public input sessions and design charrettes through which residents, especially those living along the corridor, guided development of the initial design concepts. Phase 1 of the project was completed in 2021, and the City anticipates bidding construction of the Phase 3 segment during the second quarter of 2023. A schedule has not been established for Phase 5, which will be influenced by the Georgia Department of Transportations anticipated replacement of the bridge over Georgia 400.

To learn more about the Webb Bridge Road Improvement Project and other infrastructure and parks projects currently being worked by the City of Alpharetta, please visitthe City Projects page of our website.

More here:
Answering The Question, "What Is Happening On Webb Bridge Road" - Alpharetta

Felled trees and vegetation left on the edges of highways are sparking wildfire concerns among many neighbors in Snohomish County, especially as temperatures begin to climb. (KOMO News)

Wildfire concerns are resurfacing in Snohomish County and this time it has to do with trees and brush that were cut down and left along highway shoulders.

The coming days could set new records for high temperatures this early in the year. Neighbors said they want these potential fuels cleaned up and cleared away before they potentially catch fire.

The cut trees poke into the air along the shoulders of US Highway 2 and can also be seen on the edges of State Route 9. As the heat returns to Western Washington, they look like sitting fire hazards to many neighbors and they want the Washington State Department of Transportation to take action (WSDOT).

RELATED:Heat Advisory in effect for most of western Washington this weekend

People are just concerned and looking to them to be proactive, said Bubba Deach, who own a restaurant in Sultan called Bubbas Roadhouse Bar & Grill.

Deach hosted a town hall following the Bolt Creek Fire that broke out late last summer and says he received assurances from U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell and other officials that steps would be taken to better safeguard the area against future disasters.

Lawmakers had said they put money aside for these entities to make change," Deach said, and be proactive rather than reactive."

KOMO News reached out to WSDOT, which directed the tree removal. A spokesperson said the trees that were chopped were hazardous or diseased and needed to be removed but the contractor who handled the work took out more than intended.

All those felled trees are in the process of being cleared, the spokesperson said, and the healthy ones will be chipped and used for landscaping.

I know there's a lot of concern that all the entities, including WSDOT, are doing the best they can to be preventative, Deach said.

A bigger concern for many firefighting agencies is that people remove the tall grasses and brush around their homes to create a buffer zone in a case a wildfire does approach.

However, residents said having downed trees drying out along busy highways - where a random spark or tossed cigarette can set them alight - also need to go.

Let's get that stuff out of there now or deal with it so it's not fuel for the next fire, Deach said.

WSDOT said it should take a few more weeks to clear the cut-down trees and brush from the highway shoulders. New trees will also be planted to make up for the ones the contractor took out by mistake.

Continue reading here:
Fallen trees pose wildfire threat along Snohomish County highways - KOMO News

The towering blue gum tree, also known as a widowmaker, has been dropping branches on neighbours, damaging the footpath and creating huge cracks in the floor and wall of his garage and courtyard for at least seven years.

Richard Clarke said a tree outside his Darlinghurst home had caused extensive damage to his property. Brook Mitchell

The roots of the tree have also completely blocked a stormwater drain, which leads to flooding when it rains heavily, he said.

But Clarke and his neighbours on their Darlinghurst street are at loggerheads with the City of Sydney over who is ultimately responsible for its removal.

Clarkes neighbour Jane Milton said homeowners in her strata block had spent seven years and thousands of dollars in arborist and engineering reports trying to convince the council that the tree is dangerous and causing property damage.

Milton and her neighbours have forked out about $8000 to rectify the damage they say has been caused by the tree.

Boughs have dropped, narrowly missing cars and pedestrians several times, she said.

A council spokesman said the tree was located on private property and was the responsibility of the strata-managed block that owns the land.

The tree sits in a garden bed in a lane that is part of Miltons strata block. However, the strata owners say the council has maintained the garden bed and had lopped tree branches in the past.

A council officer this month also told Clarke that falling third and fourth order branches were not uncommon during severe weather were and not a valid reason to remove a tree.

Milton said residents were willing to pay for the removal of the tree and seek reimbursement later, but the council was yet to grant permission without conditions which are difficult to meet, such as the type of replacement and where it should go.

Several expert reports have been commissioned by Miltons strata committee, including one that concludes: Serious consideration should be taken regarding its removal.

Darlinghurst residents say a towering blue gum has dropped branches and caused property damage, costing them thousands of dollars in repairs and expert reports. Brook Mitchell

However, a council arborist inspected the tree in September 2022 and determined the tree was not dangerous at the time of inspection, the spokesman said.

He said the owners could retain the tree and make repairs in line with a 2021 engineers report they had commissioned.

The second option is to remove the tree and plant a suitable species on the privately owned land where there is adequate space both above and below ground for the tree to thrive, he said.

Pagin + Mak Lawyers director Patrick Pagin said residents could go to the Land and Environment Court, which has a division dedicated to tree disputes, for an order to have the tree pruned or removed if it is on private property.

He said the court would require evidence that the tree posed a danger and a report from an arborist recommending pruning or removal.

The tree stoush follows calls from councils across Sydney for . Local councils also say efforts to plant more trees to combat heat waves have been undermined by the illegal removal of healthy trees on private property.

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Residents wage seven-year battle with council to remove dangerous tree - Sydney Morning Herald

Backlash over Infrastructure Minister Aaron Farrugias reasoning why 30 trees near Fgura needed to be removed has seen his Facebook page flooded with images from the scene with many questioning whether the action really was justified when you actually look at it.

The story, revealed by Lovin Malta on Friday, saw Climate Campaign Coordinator for Friends of the Earth Suzanne Maas raising the alarm after reporting the scene in Vjal il-Kottoner, a road between abbar and Fgura.

Infrastructure Malta told Lovin Malta the trees were removed as they were either invasive, damaged, or dead trees, all covered by necessary permits, if/when required; Farrugia himself said he had been given advice from a botanical expert for the trees to be removed, noting 90 saplings would be replacing the 30 mature trees.

Taking to social media, Farrugia posted an image of the story emblazoned with a big red FAKE.

Lovin Malta published this story implying we butchered trees for no reason. Typical spin, he said.

However, many among the 233 comments under his post at time of publishing just werent buying it.

All of the trees were dead? asked one man, sharing a before pic of the road.

There may have been one or two, but surely not all. Dead trees arent covered in leaves. Thanks for destroying another road. Whats the value in planting the small ones when you chop down the big ones? We need accountability.

I was born where the invasive trees are and they are older than you (or were, before you butchered them). That tree was born before you, and it isnt true that it was sick, Minister, said another, sharing a photo of the trunk of the freshly chopped mature tree.

You could have at least tried removing it and replanting it nsomma erajt waqajt ga ajt gax kulladd gandu gajnejh fwiu

The comments kept coming in.

Dead and theyre still green Minister? So what colour is alive then red? Prosit ministru.

Those trees have been there since Dom Mintoffs time.

Are you mad, or just living on the moon? Xmejtin l-Alla.

Minister, who is this botanical expert you spoke to?

Minister, you are invasive, not the trees that have been there for 50 years. Youve invaded a nation with amateurism and mediocrity, typical of young ministers who went from the kain tar-raal to a seat of power.

If this is a what a dead tree looks like, what does a live tree look like?

Malta Ranger Units Cami Appelgren also entered the comments section, with advice for Farrugia and asking for the process over why the trees were removed to be made public and more transparent.

Just a suggestion when large trees are scheduled to be removed (which will ALWAYS be followed by public outcry), why isnt the department responsible putting such info up for everyone to see BEFOREHAND? It would save you a lot of headache. And bluntly, I think the public has the right to such info

And even with ERA permit, doesnt always make it right Can the discussion about these trees removal be made public to see what the full reasoning was?

On the ERA permit on Friday, when the story broke, Friends Of The Earths Suzanne Maas told Lovin Malta that the activist group was unable to find a permit when searching for it online.

Who in todays age of climate crisis and air pollution can think it is right to remove mature trees? Furthermore, we cannot find a relevant permit online nor on-site by the authority commissioning the works, Infrastructure Malta.

And when Lovin Malta checked on Friday as well, no permit was found.

However, on Saturday, a permit appeared online, admitting the works targeting protected trees.

Independent politician Arnold Cassola did not mince words across two posts he made on the matter on his Facebook page.

Aaron Farrugia: who is the liar?

Farrugia tells us we are all stupid idiots. It is not true that mature trees have been chopped down between abbar and Fgura. Aaron Farrugia tells us that if we saw this, it is because we are all stupid. Unlike the illuminated ministru/minestru.

Lovin Malta obtained the letter advising Farrugia to remove the trees from Horticultural Consultant Peter Calleja.

And you can take a scroll for yourself through Farrugias comment section below.

Read the original story below.

Do you think Maltas infrastructure planning has hit rock bottom?

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'Gajjejtuna': Residents Flood Aaron Farrugia's Page With Pics Of ... - Lovin Malta

Plans for the 930,000-square-foot fulfillment center in Maidencreek Township. (READING EAGLE-KEITH DMOCHOWSKI)

Residents are appealing an attempt by developers to fast-track the approval of a land use application for plans to build a 930,000-square-foot warehouse at Route 222 and Schaeffer Road in Maidencreek Township.

Developer Maiden Creek Associates advertised a notice of deemed approval early in April, which claims that a conditional use application for the plans is deemed approved according to state law, due to the supervisors failure to comply with the rules for conditional-use hearings.

A township hearing on the application has been ongoing since late November.

Attorneys for the developers have repeatedly criticized township officials for allowing what they said was irrelevant and excessive cross-examination from about 20 residents opposing the plans who are parties to the proceedings.

Residents claim they have a right to ask detailed questions about a project they worry will significantly worsen traffic and road safety, and lower their quality of life.

The developers stepped up their criticism of the townships handling of the hearing in February, filing a lawsuit against Maidencreek for allowing the hearing to proceed with questioning they contend is inappropriate, irrelevant, beyond scope, or used to present the opposition partys case.

The notice of deemed approval is the developers latest attempt at remedying conduct theyve claimed amounts to a violation of their right to due process.

Township solicitor Eric Frey noted at a meeting in April that the township believes the deemed approval is not warranted.

There was nothing done improper by the township, Frey said of Maidencreeks handling of the hearings.

Frey noted at the meeting that the township is not legally allowed to start an appeal of the deemed approval, and that a member of the public would have to step forward and file a challenge.

A residents group opposing the warehouse said an appeal against the approval was filed April 28.

Township officials said they asked Berks County Court to discard the deemed approval.

Officials said a ruling by the court is pending.

Conditional use approval would not guarantee approval of the final plans, which still need to be reviewed by the township, as well as county and state agencies.

The conditional-use hearing continued April 26 with developers calling two expert witnesses to give testimony.

The first was Fred Ebert of Ebert Engineering Inc. in Montgomery County, who testified about the proposed warehouses plans for a fire suppression system.

Supervisor Heidi Fiedler objected to Ebert as an expert in fire suppression, claiming his resume lacked expertise relevant to the design of fire suppression systems.

Ebert said his report covered the ability of the system to provide necessary water storage, pressure and flow to a sprinkler system, and that the sprinklers themselves are designed by manufacturers, not civil engineers.

The supervisors voted 2-1 in favor of accepting Ebert as an expert witness, with Fiedler voting no.

Ebert said the design of the fast response fire suppression system exceeds the requirements laid out by the National Fire Protection Association.

The code requires a minimum of 60 minutes of fire protection, Ebert said. Weve doubled that. Were providing 120 minutes.

He said the system includes an independent storage tank that can be refilled by the public water system, which would extend that time.

This is a very robust system that does not rely on a single source of water, Ebert said.

Fiedler questioned whether the Maidencreek water system would be able to supply enough water in the event of a sustained fire.

You as a township adopted a code and established a minimum guideline (for water capacity), Ebert said. I have doubled that capacity. If theres a greater concern, the onus is on the township to change the code.

Several residents also asked questions about the qualities and capabilities of the fire system.

Next to testify was Mike Baltrusaitis, an expert in environmental, public health and occupational safety compliance with Pennoni, a Scranton-based engineering firm.

Baltrusaitis said he reviewed the warehouse projects impact on environmental performance standards laid out in the townships zoning rules, including standards on vibration levels, air quality impact, electromagnetic interference, storage of hazardous materials, glare, heat and waste generation.

He said he found no compliance issues with the project, and that it adhered to required standards.

The next hearing is scheduled for May 30 at 6:30 p.m. in the Willow Creek Elementary School auditorium.

Original post:
Residents appeal Maidencreek warehouse developers move to fast-track land use approval - Reading Eagle

Thomas L. Bogdan, 75, passed away Saturday, April 15, 2023, at Penn Highlands Mon Valley Hospital. He was born March 2, 1948, in New Eagle, son of the late John R Bogdan Sr. and the late Mary Dinsick Bogdan. He was a graduate of Mon Valley Catholic High School and a proud veteran of the United States Air Force. Tom served as a staff sergeant in the 509th Organizational Maintenance Squadron B-52 Wing stationed at Pease Air Force Base in New Hampshire. He was part of deployments to Andersen AFB, Guam and Thailand during the Vietnam War. Tom spoke fondly and frequently about his years in the Air Force. Many a long phone call or afternoon on the front porch of the farm was spent recalling his experiences during his enlistment and the airmen he served with. Following his time in the Air Force, Tom attended California University of Pennsylvania and worked for many years in appliance repair throughout the Pittsburgh area. He most recently worked at Sacred Heart Cemetery as a groundskeeper. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Donald Bogdan. He is survived by his brothers, John R. Bogdan Jr. of Keyser, W.Va., and Anthony Bogdan of Carroll Township; and two nephews, John and Paul Bogdan. Arrangements have been entrusted to ANTHONY L. MASSAFRA FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICE INC., 40 Second St. Ext., Donora, PA 15033, 724-379-6900, where private services were held on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Entombment was at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Monongahela, with full military rites accorded by the Mon Valley Honor Guard and Firing Squad. To share a condolence please visit http://www.massafrafuneralhome.com.

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Thomas L. Bogdan - The Mon Valley Independent

Most Americans dont have the financial resources to cover a surprise expense of $400 a car or appliance repair, or a medical bill without taking on debt, according to a new survey.

Just over one-third of respondents said they have cash on hand to cover the expense, and the figure rises to 48% when including those who said theyd use a credit card but pay it off immediately before incurring interest charges, according to a poll conducted by decision intelligence company Morning Consult for Bloomberg News.

The data highlight widespread financial fragility, even in an economy with unemployment near 50-year lows, and the erosion of the savings cushion that some households built up in the pandemic. It also shows how many Americans could be pushed into taking on more debt even as interest rates surge by a relatively commonplace event.

Weve had two really strong years of jobs growth and there has been a lot of coverage of wage compression, with lower-income earners actually experiencing more rapid wage growth, said John Leer, chief economist at The Morning Consult. And despite all of that, there is still a group of predominantly lower-income adults who are extremely vulnerable.

The findings show that millions of families, if they were faced by an unexpected $400 expense, wouldnt be able to pay some of their other bills.

Whats more, the inability to pay isnt confined to the lowest-income households. About 20% of the middle-income bracket those with incomes between $50,000 and $100,000 said they couldnt cover a $400 expense with cash or equivalents. The figure was 8% among who make more than $100,000.

The poll shows that emergency expenses arent that uncommon. Overall, 44% of respondents said they had such an expense in the prior month, with the most frequent cause being vehicle-related costs, followed by medical bills. The median size of an emergency expense was $483, and many respondents reported that theyd been hit with more than one.

The changing structure of the labor market, with more people reliant on gig work, may also be adding to uncertainty around income and making budgeting harder, according to Sofia Baig, an economist at The Morning Consult. Those kinds of work arrangement also leave many families depending on unscheduled and likely higher-cost childcare, which adds to financial strains, she said.

The Morning Consult survey was conducted between April 12-16, among more than 11,000 respondents.

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Most Americans say they lack ready cash to cover a surprise $400 expense - Autoblog

(May 5, 2023) In this weeks article to Spotlight members of the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company, we recognize Gold Badge member Danny Chavis. Danny has been the owner and operator of A.D. SEA appliance repair and home improvement company serving Ocean City and surrounding communities for the past 39 years. He has also, for many years, been actively involved with the youth of our community as a coach for Pop Warner football.

Following high school, Danny enlisted in the United States Navy. He served in the Navy for six years prior to joining his family in Ocean City in December 1983. Danny joined the OCVFC on 12/15/87 to continue his community service. He had been impressed with the great brotherhood he witnessed in the OCVFC.

During his 30 years of active service to the OCVFC, Firefighter Chavis served as lieutenant on Engine 712 under the leadership of Captain (now Volunteer Chief) Jay Jester.

He is currently in the process of recertification as a driver/operator for fire apparatus. He also provided his expertise in maintaining and repairing the various appliances found at each of the firehouses.

Danny cites his involvement in an incident on the beach on June 21, 1995. He responded to the scene with members of the OCVFC and OCPD officers to save a 12-year-old young man buried in the sand on the beach at 109th Street. Tragically, the young man did not survive. Danny still recalls the strong emotions he felt upon returning home to see his own 12-yer-old son.

Firefighter Chavis states his greatest accomplishment as a member of the OCVFC is his effort to do his best over the years for the members of the OCVFC and the community we serve. He also welcomes every opportunity to share the experiences and knowledge gained over his many years as a volunteer firefighter to ensure fire safety and prevention for his family, friends, and clients.

We thank Firefighter Chavis for his years of service to protect our Nations freedoms and for his many years of service and commitment to the safety and well-being of our neighbors and visitors to our community.

For membership information or to learn about your volunteer fire company, please visit http://www.ocvfc.com.

The rest is here:
Veteran of 35 years Chavis integral to OCVFC | Ocvfc Volunteer ... - Ocean City Today

As we rifle through our sock drawer in a rush every morning trying desperately to find a matching pair, we are left asking where on earth they have all vanished to - but a TikToker appears to have solved the mystery.

Renea, who is an appliance repair tech from Salt Lake City, shared a video on TikTokexplained exactly where socks disappear to during the laundry cycle.

In the clip, which racked up over 18 million views, she claimed that it's not down to forgetfulness - thewashing machine actually does swallow them.

In the video she can be seen removing the back panel off the washing machine with a chisel.

Once the panel is off, the inside of the washing machine is completely stuffed with odd socks.

Taking the pile out and laying the socks on the floor it was clear that the machine had been collecting odd socks for some time.

Many were shocked with some joking they owe an apology to their tumble dryer for blaming that for years.

One person wrote: 'All the years joking about how 'the dryer eats them'.'

Another said: 'We all owe the dryer an apology.'

While another quipped: 'Are my Tupperware lids in there too?'

Others were completely shocked as they always thought it was an old wives tale.

One person said: 'So my washing machine does eat my socks!!!!!!'

Another said: 'So thats prob where my paw patrol sock that I lost when I was 3.'

While someone else wrote: 'I always said that the washing machine has been eating my socks. Im going fishing for my lost socks !!!!!'

Renea's revelation comes after a savvy mother also revealed on TikTok how best to clean your washing machine using just two ingredients.

Jen Watson, a mother-of-five from the US, revealed on her TikTok page titled OrganizedAndSimplified4u that a mixture of bicarbonate of soda and vinegar can clean the rim of the washing machine in just one cycle.

In the short clip Jen pulled back the rubber part of the door in a washing machine to show all the built up scum and dirt before advising adding bicarbonate of soda and white wine vinegar.

Applying around two tablespoons of the powder directly to the mess, she then poured over the liquid so the mixture immediately started bubbling.

Quickly shutting the door, Jen put the machine on a rinse and watched as the cheap and easy solution worked its magic.

As soon as it was over the mother pulled back the rubber lining to show it was now spick and span and clean enough for all your delicate washing.

Read more here:
I'm a washing machine expert and I know where your missing socks are - Daily Mail