Rep. Dykema Named Legislator of the Year by MA Veterans Service Officers Association

Today, Representative Carolyn Dykema (D-Holliston) was honored to receive the Legislator of the Year Award from the Massachusetts Veterans Service Officers Association (MA VSOA)

“I’m very honored to receive this award,” said Representative Dykema.  “Veterans Service Officers are on the front lines, every day, advocating for our veterans and their families. I’m proud to be working alongside them to support the men and women who have served our country in uniform.”

Rep. Dykema was a co-sponsor and advocate for passage of the Veterans Home of the Brave bill that was signed by Governor Patrick in 2009. Provisions in the bill will increase housing and employment supports for returning service members .  She also serves as a member of the Joint Committee on Veterans & Federal Affairs and on the Subcommittee on Access to Veterans Healthcare Services which held statewide hearings this past session.

“Having the legislature and a Representative like Representative Dykema helping Veterans in this Commonwealth is a great, great support and hopefully Veterans understand and know that,” said Sidney Chase, the former Director of Veterans Services in Cape Cod and a member of MA VSOA.

“This is a fitting tribute to Representative Dykema for her tireless efforts on behalf of the Commonwealth’s veterans,” said Secretary of Veterans’ Services Coleman Nee. “It is an honor to work with Representative Dykema and we are extremely grateful for her continued support both in the community and in the Massachusetts legislature."

Each city and town in Massachusetts has a local veteran service officer that is available to meet with veterans and provide assistance and support.   Representative Dykema’s staff is available to provide additional support for local veterans and VSOs in securing veterans benefits.  Veterans in need of assistance can find their local VSO on town websites or can contact Representative Dykema’s office at 617-722-2210.

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State Representative Carolyn Dykema serves on the Joint Committee for Veterans & Federal Affairs and represents the towns of Holliston, Hopkinton, Medway (pct. 1), Southborough (pct. 2 & 3) and Westborough (pct. 2).

[the following article from Mass.gov Public Safety and brought to our attention today by Tin Htway and the Westborough Building Department-- webmaster]

Public Safety Advisory On Potential Roof Collapses

Over the past 36 hours, there have been over 70 reports of roof collapses or buildings with potential structural damage from the weight of snow and ice loads on roofs.  While these incidents have occurred throughout the Commonwealth, the majority have taken place in eastern Massachusetts.  In many instances, homes and businesses have been evacuated as a result of collapses or safety concerns resulting from indications of structural weaknesses.  In a normal winter season, there may be a handful of such events, making this season, with its heavy snowfall, extremely unique.  The current severe roof load conditions are the result of the recent prolonged cold weather and repeated snowstorms.  Short periods of rain that get absorbed in the snowpack on roofs have also made matters even worse.  Compounding the situation is the short-term weather forecast of potentially two more snowstorms in the next week.

Homeowners, tenants, and businesses need to be cognizant of the danger posed by heavy snow loads on roofs, and the warning signs of potential structural weaknesses.  In some instances, the risks posed by accumulated snow on roofs can be mitigated by safely removing snow from roofs of both commercial buildings and homes.  Because temperatures are expected to remain cold for at least the next few days, and more snow may fall as early as this weekend, efforts should be undertaken now to safely remove snow from roofs. 

Removing snow from rooftops will minimize the likelihood of structural collapse.

Flat and low pitched roofs, most often found on industrial buildings, but are also used in certain home designs, are at the greatest risk of buckling under heavy snow and ice accumulations.

Lower roofs, where snow drifts or accumulates from higher roofs are also vulnerable.

Some potential signs of imminent roof collapse. 

Tips for Homeowners in removing snow and ice from roofs and other areas

DO’s

• Use a snow rake for pitched roofs (available at most hardware stores) to remove snow from your roof.
• Start from the edge and work your way into the roof.
• Try to shave the snow down to a 2 or 3 inches on the roof instead of scraping the roof clean, which will risk damage to your shingles or other roof covering.
  • Keep in mind that any metal tool could conduct electricity if it touches a power line.
  • Also, metal tools will do more damage to your roof.
  • Shovel snow from flat roofs throwing the snow over the side away from the building.
  • Most plastic shovels are better, except for the ones with curved blades—those too will do some damage to your roof.
• Remove large icicles carefully if they're hanging over doorways and walkways.  Consider knocking down icicles through windows using a broom stick.
• Wear protective headgear and goggles when performing any of these tasks.
• Consider hiring professionals to do the job. The combination of heights plus ice makes this one of the more dangerous house chores.
• If you don't hire professionals, at least have someone outside with you in case anything does go wrong
• Keep gutters, and drains clean, free of ice and snow and keep downspouts clean at ground level.

Tips for Homeowners in removing snow and ice from roofs and other areas

DON’T’s

• Unless approved by a registered professional engineer, don’t add your weight or the weight of equipment to the roof.
• Don’t use a ladder since ice tends to build up on both the rungs of the ladder and the soles of your boots.
• Don’t use electric heating devices like hair dryers or heat guns to remove snow and ice.
• Don’t use open-flame devices to remove snow and ice.

According to Meteorologist Tony Petrarca, a cubic foot of dry snow weighs about seven pounds, while a cubic foot of wet snow weighs anywhere from 12 to 18 pounds. So, if it's possible, hire someone to help with all of the snow clearing.

How to Recognize Problems with Roofs

• Sagging roofs
• Severe roof leaks
• Cracked or split wood members
• Bends or ripples in supports
• Cracks in walls or masonry
• Sheared off screws from steel frames
• Sprinkler heads that have dropped down below ceiling tiles
• Doors that pop open
• Doors or windows that are difficult to open
• Bowed utility pipes or conduit attached at ceiling
• Creaking, cracking or popping sounds

Other Safety Tips for Homeowners

• Make sure you smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are working.
• Check your outside fuel and dryer exhaust vents, making sure that they are not obstructed by snow or ice. Never use cooking equipment intended for outside use indoors as a heat source or cooking device. Never use your oven for heat.
• Clear snow away from furnace and dryer exhaust vents to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Space heaters need space, so use them in a 3-foot circle of safety; free of anything that catch fire. Space heaters are not designed to replace your central heating system; they are only designed to provide a little extra heat on a temporary basis. So be sure to turn them off when you leave room or go to bed at night.
• Clear snow away from downspouts so water has a place to go.
• Do not be tempted to use a heat gun or open flame torch to melt the ice; the risk of starting a fire is huge.
• If you feel you are in immediate danger, get outside and call 9-1-1.

Tips for businesses in removing snow and ice from roofs and other areas

DO’s

• The same tips apply.  However, if you are going to use a snow blower, make sure that it has been approved by a structural engineer to be used on a roof, and that the blower is set to a high level above the roof so as not to damage roof membrane.
• Use a snow rake for pitched roofs (available at most hardware stores) to remove snow from your roof.
• Start from the edge and work your way into the roof.
• Try to shave the snow down to a 2 or 3 inches on the roof instead of scraping the roof clean, which will risk damage to your shingles or other roof covering.
• Keep in mind that any metal tool could conduct electricity if it touches a power line.
  • Also, metal tools will do more damage to your roof.
  • Shovel snow from flat roofs throwing the snow over the side away from the building.
  • Most plastic shovels are better, except for the ones with curved blades—those too will do some damage to your roof.
• Remove large icicles carefully if they're hanging over doorways and walkways.
• Wear protective headgear and goggles when performing any of these tasks.
• Keep gutters, downspouts and drains clean.

How to Recognize Problems with Roofs in Commercial Buildings

• Many of the same apply - added
• Sagging roof steel – visually deformed
• Severe roof leaks
• Cracked or split wood members
• Bends or ripples in metal supports
• Cracks in walls or masonry
• Cracks in welds of steel construction
• Sheared off screws from steel frames
• Sprinkler heads pushed down below ceiling tiles
• Water puddles where it never has before
• Doors that pop open
• Doors or windows that are difficult to open
• Bowed utility pipes or conduit attached at ceiling
• Creaking, cracking or popping sounds

What to do if you have problems

• Call your local building or fire official.
• If there is imminent danger, evacuate the building and call 911.

What other assistance is available?

• Many fire departments have regional technical rescue teams available to local departments in case of collapse.
• Massachusetts Task Force 1 is an Urban Search and Rescue Team in Beverly.  The team is comprised of Police, Fire, EMS and Civilians who respond to major disasters under a contract with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Currently there are 150 people on the MATF-1 team.

HERE IS A PDF of the advisory: publicsafetyadvisoryonroofcollapses.pdf

Boston-Power Names Keith Schmid as CEO

Power industry veteran bolsters executive team as company enters next stage of growth

WESTBOROUGH, Mass. – February 3, 2011– Boston-Power^®, Inc., the rapidly growing provider of next-generation lithium-ion battery cells, battery modules and battery management systems, today announced that Keith Schmid has been appointed as chief executive officer. His addition to the management team comes as Boston-Power expands its product and business development, sales and marketing activities in key industry sectors that include transportation, utility energy storage and portable power.

With customers that include worldwide brands such as HP, Saab, Asus and NASA, and more to be announced in the first half of 2011, Schmid brings to Boston-Power a track record for growing companies into industry leaders coupled with an extensive background in the power systems and energy storage industries. He joins from Power Distribution, Inc., a leading provider of power distribution equipment and services, where he served as president and CEO. Under his leadership, revenues more than tripled.  Schmid is credited with spearheading the diversification of the product portfolio;   executing and integrating strategic acquisitions; and establishing sales channels in Europe, Asia and Latin America. Earlier in his career, he held a series of executive-level positions at Exide Industrial Energy, GNB Technologies, Philips Consumer Communications and AT&T/Lucent Power Systems.

TOWN OF WESTBOROUGH

ELECTION CALENDAR

TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2011

Note: Prior to obtaining blank nomination papers from the Town Clerk, a candidate will file a statement from the Town Clerk.  This statement will contain his/her name and address and the town office for which he/she intends to be a candidate.  No candidate for a town office shall receive more blank nomination papers than will contain the number of signatures required to place his/her name in nomination, multiplied by five.

TUES., MAY 3, 2011        From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Town Election in the following polling places:

Precinct 1:    Gibbons Middle School Gym, 20 Fisher Street

Precinct 2:    Hastings Elementary School Gym, 111 E. Main Street

Precinct 3:    Gibbons Middle School Gym, 20 Fisher Street

Precinct 4:    Mill Pond Int. School, 6 Olde Hickory Path

Precinct 5:    Mill Pond Int. School, 6 Olde Hickory Path

SAT., MAY 14, 2011            From 1 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Town Meeting at the

High School Auditorium and continuing through

Town Meeting week at 7:00 p.m. until finished.