Considerations to Have When Making Improvements to Your Businesses and Homes

One of the biggest mistakes I find clients make when undertaking improvements on their home or business property is that they do not expend the time and resources to start the process in the right manner. The initial preparation and steps to be sure that the project will be properly completed often appear to be an unnecessary expense and delay, however it is extremely important to address these initial concerns. Several overlooked issues include:
1. Municipal Requirements – Very often a building permit is not obtained prior to the initiation of construction or if the building permit is obtained, the follow-up certificate of compliance or certificate of occupancy is not received. Equally disastrous is the failure to keep a copy of that building permit and then the certificate of completion in your records. If it is lost or never filed by the building department, a new inspection is required. This can require the new work to be brought to the then current code. It is my recommendation that both the landowner and the contractor retain a copy of the municipal approval of the construction.

2. Contracts – I am always amazed when clients come to me with a problem with a contractor and when I ask to see the contract, they either never received one or signed it without having it reviewed by an attorney, or even having read the same. Making sure there is a signed agreement and making sure that the agreement is reviewed prior to signing, protects both the contractor and the landowner from problems that result from misunderstandings, misconstrued promises or a simple misunderstanding of terms.


written by Stephen Diamond of Vergilis, Stenger, Roberts, Davis & Diamond, in Wappingers Falls, NY. For more information, please contact them at (845)298-2000 or visit www.vsrp.com

Renovations and Addition to Two Hundred Year Old Home

Meyer Contracting recently completed renovations and addition to the two-hundred- year-old Diamond Residence in Verbank, New York. The project was a success for many reasons, but most of all it was a success due to the seamless transition from the existing house to the newly renovated areas and the addition. This seamless transition was achieved because of the Team’s combined and coordinated efforts; i.e., the Owner’s (Donna, aka “The Boss”) desire for the function of the space they wanted to create, the finishes they selected and their commitment to maintaining the integrity character of the existing house, along with the Architect’s (Tinkleman Architecture) development of the Owner’s vision to a set of documents and Meyer Contracting’s (and our Subcontractors’, JP Masonry, Cabinet Designers, Walkers Tile Services, Harmony Hill Landscaping and Poughkeepsie Painting) execution and commitment to details.

The renovation areas consisted of refinishing and upgrading the second floor hallway/stairs, two bedrooms and a new laundry room. The main floor renovation area included a complete kitchen renovation and modernization and new finishes to the informal dining area, including a faux tin ceiling for the kitchen and informal dining areas. The addition consisted of an 18’ x 23’ sunroom and a 14’ x 16’ jacuzzi room.

The new addition areas’ interior and exterior finishes were completed with finishes and trim consistent with the existing building, which solidified the transition, creating a warm, cozy and inviting atmosphere. In keeping with the times, a couple of modern features were implemented into the project, which included spray foam insulation at the new addition roof and walls, existing structure exterior walls where accessible and the existing structure’s entire attic. This will provide a more efficient envelope and future energy savings, which will pay back the cost of the insulation in five to seven years time. The new addition’s heating system employs an in-slab radiant heat system which provides an efficient and consistent method for heating the space.

In conclusion, many thanks to our superintendent Butch Sullinger and all of Meyer Contracting’s employees and subcontractors for a job well done. We also want to thank Stephen and Donna for giving us this privilege and opportunity to perform the work on this special project.

Rebuilding Together Fall Project

When temperatures are in the 90s, winter seems a long way off. But freezing weather will arrive soon enough and homes need to be prepared.

This fall, Rebuilding Together Dutchess County will be completing four home repair and renovation projects, including three homes of veterans and their families. The projects will be sponsored by both national and local businesses, and teams of volunteers will complete the work.

Chris Meyer will act as house captain and project coordinator for the TD Charitable Foundation sponsored project. The project is the Polluzzi home which is located in Pleasant Valley. Both TD Bank and Meyer Contracting will provide the volunteer labor force to upgrade windows and spruce up the exterior.

“We’re fortunate to have such great support from the community,” said Executive Director Christina Boryk, “The homes of these families in need will be warm, safe and dry before the first snow falls.”

If you are interested in volunteering and participating in the Fall Project visit rebuildingtogetherdutchess.org or call them at 845-454-7310. You can also contact Chris Meyer at 845-635-1416.

Benefits of generators for the elderly

In our area, having a generator during a power outage is very beneficial. As experienced this past winter, Central Hudson comments that it was the worst winter on record. A generator can provide peace of mind and may actually be life-saving or, at the very least, ease an unpleasant experience such as an extended power outage due to something like a storm. As long as proper safety considerations are followed, having a generator can be incredibly valuable during a power outage. If an emergency arises, you will be glad you took this extra step. While generators can be a great tool for people of any age, they tend to be especially valuable for the elderly.

The elderly face more distress than the average person. Elderly individuals tend to get the most benefit from having a generator. Because they are more susceptible to temperature variations and are at greater risk for hypothermia during the winter months than younger individuals, being without heat or air conditioning for an extended length of time can be detrimental to the health of elderly individuals. Many elderly individuals also rely on medications that require refrigeration. If an extended power outage occurs, the medicine can go bad, which can cause serious complications. For an elderly, insulin-dependent diabetic, keeping a power supply to the refrigerator is crucial.

Having a generator in case of a power outage is a wise decision. A generator can provide added peace of mind until power is restored by keeping power supplied to your house. We often forget how much we rely on power to keep perishable food and medication that require refrigeration to be stored at the proper temperature.

If you have any elderly family member who currently doesn’t have a generator, consider getting them one as a gift or having other family members chip in with you so the cost isn’t too prohibitive. It’s a gift that could literally save a life.

Written by Don Veith, Veith Electric in Poughkeepsie, NY. For more information on generators, please contact them at 845-485-2900 or www.veithelectric.com.

Care Keeper Farm in Millbrook, NY

Houlihan Lawrence's Carol Smerling's spare time is solely devoted to her Millbrook rescue farm for abandoned donkeys and mules, Caring Keeper Farm. Aside from her donkeys and mules the farm is also home to 6 fabulous, rescued dogs of all shapes and sizes. In addition to Turning Pointe, Carol also supports Catskill Animal Sanctuary. Turning Pointe Donkey Rescue (aka TPDR and/or the rescue) is a Michigan based non-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of miniature,standard and mammoth donkeys. Through the rescue, they promote the humane care and proper training of these long ears. They strive to provide the public with a better understanding of their true nature. Our efforts will be directed towards education of perspective and current donkey owners. Donkeys come to the rescue from a variety of difficult situations. They will be matched with the most compatible, compassionate and supportive environment.

When you hire Carol to represent you in a real estate transaction, she donates a portion of her earnings from each transaction to the animal rescue groups. So not only are you getting an experienced, knowledgeable Realtor, you are supporting a worthy cause too!
Carol can be reached at 845-677-6161 ext. 311.

Hudson Valley Independent Living

As a general contractor in the Hudson Valley for over 20 years, Meyer Contracting recognizes that, as our loved ones grow older, they may require modifications to their homes. These alterations can include front entrances, stairways, bathrooms, kitchens and other changes, all for continued mobility, while still providing a safe, secure and obstacle-free living environment.

The Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) program, instituted by AARP and the National Association of Home Builders, provides a certification for contractors in designing and remodeling homes for maturing adults and those with special needs.

As a Certified Aging in Place contractor, we understand the needs of the senior and special needs population, and will design environments that will accommodate individuals that require barrier-free living. With our expert knowledge in Aging-in-Place design, we provide high quality remodeling solutions, while keeping the customer’s budget in mind.

For more information or to schedule your or your family member’s FREE, no obligation consultation, please contact us at 845-635-1416.

Independent Living – The Creation of Freedom

Independent Living – The Creation of Freedom
By Christopher L. Colby, AIA, LEED AP
Spire Architecture & Design, PLLC

As we travel along the path of life, we all face challenges of varying degrees. Some of these challenges will have minor impacts to our quality of life while others may significantly degrade our once fruitful and active lives.

It’s an undeniable fact that as we get older we will face challenges with our health, mobility and abilities to perform once seemingly easy tasks. However, with proper planning and preparation the challenges of life can be navigated with ease. Independent Living, sometimes called “aging in place” can be a useful tool in the preparation of one’s golden years. Years that can be filled with freedom and independence rather than isolation and challenges.

Typically homes are not built or designed with our “golden years” in mind, and, therefore, present challenges in our sunset years when we least expect them. Getting an early start on the planning and design of an Independent Living lifestyle can be essential to freedom in your later years. Although it is never too late to get started, an Independent lifestyle at any stage of life can be much more cost effective than assisted living options, which can reach well into thousands of dollars a month!

Simple steps can be taken early on in a design or construction project that will greatly enhance your quality of life as you reach your golden years. For example, some of the following ideas create little impact on a budget, but will prepare you and your home for an independent lifestyle:
• Add blocking to walls that will be able to receive grab bars and other wall mounted aids in the future.
• Create wider hallways and passages, including doorways that will allow for the use of a wheelchair or walker without obstructions.
• Design rooms so that they have an unobstructed pathway and layout.
• Design or create a master bedroom suite on the first floor so that stairs will not become a problem in the future.
• Choose lever handles instead of door knobs; they will be easier to turn.
• Design cabinets and vanities so that they are easily accessible for someone in a wheel chair or create multiple mounting heights.

While it is easier to implement some of these ideas during the initial construction of a home, it is not your only window of opportunity to create an independent living lifestyle. Every home can be renovated to accommodate everyone’s specific needs at anytime.

Helping you create a free and independent future in your golden years is something we would like to help you achieve. Feel free to contact our office so that we can schedule an appointment with our team to help you create an independent lifestyle.

Christopher L. Colby, AIA, LEED AP is the Principal and Founder of Spire Architecture and Design, PLLC. Visit www.spirearchitecture.com to learn more. Copyright © 2010 Spire Architecture & Design. All Rights Reserved

The show's about to begin... please take your seat

Kingston High School Auditorium

Meyer Contracting recently completed renovations to the Kingston High School auditorium with outstanding results. The efforts of the design team (CS Architecture), the Owner’s rep (BBL Construction) and Meyer Contracting produced a high quality project which finished ahead of schedule and within budget.

The renovations were a sorely needed face lift to an auditorium which hadn’t seen any significant work performed to for nearly 30 years. The renovations transformed a dark, dull and uninspiring space to a well lit, vibrant, colorful and lively atmosphere that is certain to showcase the creativity of the student body for years to come. Meyer Contracting was fortunate to have the involvement of key subcontractors to help produce a project with the quality of work that has become synonymous with Meyer Contracting. Meyer Contracting expresses many thanks to Veith Electric, Perfezione Painting, Rochester Flooring and Professional Furnishings and Equipment for their efforts.

The renovations work scope included new VCT and carpeting, aisle lighting, repairs to the existing walls and ceilings and new paint throughout. Additionally the new seating that was installed provides plenty of seating for any disabled persons attending the events.

Meyer Contracting is pleased to have participated in a project that went so smoothly and produced results that everyone involved can be proud of. Well done everyone!

Improving Organizational Performance

Want to Improve Organizational Performance: Focus On These Three Strategies

Leading a small-to-medium sized business means wearing many hats. But there are three hats business and organizational leaders need to wear more often to focus their attention to dramatically improve results.

These three strategies are the same strategies that separate mediocre athletic teams from champions:

• Creating and Implementing a Compelling Vision/Strategy
• Developing Leadership & Teamwork Throughout the Organization
• Consistent & Specific Performance Management

Below is a brief summary of each of the three strategies:

Creating and Implementing a Compelling Vision/Strategy:
On the first day of training camp every team member on an athletic team knows its vision is to get to the championship game. Every coach has developed a focused strategy based on his/her team’s personnel to achieve that goal. Few small to medium sized businesses or not-for-profit organizations invest enough time and energy in this area. Instead of being proactive and innovative they are continually reacting and adjusting to the marketplace and competition.
Additionally, it is rare to find employees at all levels of an organization that can clearly articulate their organization’s vision and strategy. Athletes can.

The second component of this involves strategy implementation. Teams that win championships execute their strategy better than the rest. A strategy is worthless if not implemented according to a plan and monitored for course corrections along the way based
on environmental feedback.

Developing Leadership & Teamwork Throughout the Organization
Athletic teams can only successfully perform if there is high-trust between individual teammates playing along side each other, and high-trust between the coaches and the overall team itself. The most important trait for a successful team is trust.

There are two aspects of trust:
1) Do I trust this person to get the job done at the necessary level and to follow through on what they say they will do?
2) Do I trust that the other people with whom I am working have the best interests of his/her teammates and the organization in mind when they make decisions and take action?

If the answer to those two questions is “Yes,” a high-trust environment exists. If not, chances are the team or the organization is not going to reach high levels of success.

Additionally, coaches cannot make decisions on the field of play while the game is in motion. Therefore, there are team captains assigned to make decisions and call plays in the heat of the action. Likewise, businesses and non-profits that want to be highly successful need to develop leaders throughout their organization to make decisions to allow the efficient and effective implementation of the strategy. This also is key to perpetuating long-term success through effective succession planning.

Consistent & Specific Performance Management
There are three things every sport has in common; a scoreboard, scorecard and statistics. These are used to track who’s winning, who’s losing, and how each participant is performing. It then gets broken down to measure individual team member’s performance.

Most small to medium sized companies are poor at performance management. As a matter of face just about every system of performance management I’ve encountered has created more harm to employee morale and organizational culture than it helps improve performance.

There is one litmus test for an organization’s performance management system.
Ask these two questions:

• Is it improving the individual and collective performance of our organization?
• Is it enhancing our organization’s culture in terms of morale, motivation, and attitudes?

If the answer to one or both of those questions is “no” than your performance management process needs an overhaul.

It is imperative for the leader of an organization to continually monitor these three components of a high-performing “champion” organization. I encourage all my clients to do so on a quarterly basis by very simply grading their organization on a 1-10 scale in each of the three categories and identify small ways to raise the bar in each. By doing so, any organization can become a “Champion Organization” through small, constant and never-ending improvements and experience dramatic results within a relatively short period of time, three to six months.

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Skip Weisman works with organizational leaders to improve personnel, productivity and profits by helping them “Create a Champion Organization,” one that communicates effectively and takes action with commitment towards a shared compelling vision. His latest White Paper Report is “The 7 Deadly Sins of Organizational Leadership Communication” and is available as a free download at www.HowToImproveOrganizationalCommunication.com

Start feeling good every day by giving at NO cost to you

It always feels good to give… but even better when it doesn’t cost you anything. In today’s world, where resources (especially time and money) are limited many non-profits are really hurting. In short, people have reduced or just stopped giving. You can feel good and give painlessly. Here’s how. Www.GoodSearch.com is a competitor to Google and when you use their search engine, they will donate to the charity of your choice. It takes only seconds to set you’re your charity up and then you can feel good giving while you surf the web. Also, and more importantly, there is Good Shop, part of Good Search. If you buy on line (most do), then simply go to www.GoodSearch.com and click on Good Shop. Almost every vendor participates, from Walmart, Lands End, Target to travel sites like Expedia. The great thing is that it makes it simple and easy to give to your charity. Don’t worry, it takes almost no extra time and you do your transaction through your vendors site. It’s just that when you go through www.GoodSearch.com first, it magically gets tracked and a percentage of your order amount gets donated to your charity. Simple… easy, right?!?!?

So, set your homepage to www.GoodSearch.com and start feeling good every day by giving at NO cost to you.

Rebuilding Together Dutchess County

Rebuilding Together Dutchess County

Have you ever driven by a dilapidated house, with peeling paint, broken windows or a sagging roof and wondered, “Why don’t those people do something?” Or heard a story on the radio about a house that burnt down because of bad wiring and thought “How could that happen?” Or maybe you have a neighbor or relative who had to go into a nursing home prematurely because they needed grab bars in their bathroom or a wheelchair ramp instead of stairs.

People in these situations often want to repair and live safely in their homes but lack resources to make changes happen.

Since 1992 Rebuilding Together Dutchess County (formerly known as Christmas in April) has performed significant repairs and modifications to over 300 homes.

This grassroots, community-focused program is about “Neighbors Helping Neighbors.” We focus on low-income families with limited resources, including homes with senior citizens, people with disabilities, veterans, or school-aged children.

Our work provides these families with a safe, warm and dry home while at the same time revitalizing our communities and preserving low-income housing stock.

In addition to our home renovation and repair projects, we’ve recently expanded our Safe-at-Home Program, which helps people with mobility issues move about their homes safely.

To help us do these things, we have a dedicated and hard-working all-volunteer board and over 600 volunteers who turn out for our “Rebuilding Days.” Electricians, plumbers, painters and contractors, as well as people who are handy or just enthusiastic, donate many hours to help make our projects happen.

Since we provide our services free of charge, we rely on the financial support of local and national organizations and businesses, including Meyer Contracting.

Meyer Contracting sponsors at least one project a year. Chris Meyer is on the board and volunteers his time to do home inspections and evaluate projects in the Fall. As part of the “Championship Culture” developed at Meyer Contracting, Chris believes is important to “ pay-it-forward” by participating in community projects.

And the need for our program keeps growing.

In 2009 alone we rehabilitated 40 homes including: 19 projects on National Rebuilding Day in April, three additional Flag Day weekend projects to celebrate our Veterans, five Safe at Home Modifications with projected completion of six more, and six additional projects for the Fall Rebuilding Day. The market value of work totaled over $300,000.

In coming years we’d like to do even more. But we can’t do it alone. So next time you pass by an unsafe house, instead of wondering why someone doesn’t do something, maybe you could give us a call or stop by our website to see how to get involved. We’ll bring the hammers!

Our next project is a rehabilitation of a mobile home in Dover Plains on April 20th. If
you would like to volunteer on this or any other project, please contact Chris Meyer or Rebuilding Together.

Written by acting Rebuilding Together Director, Dave Dobson
www.rebuildingtogetherdutchess.org
845-454-7310

First Site Development Trade Show 2010

FSD Trade Show 2010

On March 10, staff members of First Site Development attended the Builders Association of the Hudson Valley Trade Show in New Windsor. This was the first trade show for First Site and it was a success. Staffed by DJ Sadowski, Craig McKenna and Jonathan Meyer, our booth was unique and well received. We had an eye-catching, bright yellow eight-foot balloon, Lego toys drawing, give-a-ways and much more. Congratulations to the winner of our drawing - Steve Schweitzer with The Builder Development Corp!

Many quality contacts were made, including several contractors with upcoming jobs. Often, those in need of site work services do not realize there is a difference between a guy with a backhoe and a true professional who provides expertise and value. This trade show was an excellent opportunity to demonstrate to contractors that the difference can add much to their bottom-line.

Everyone knows that all projects are built on a good foundation. Our 60-plus years of combined experience makes sure that you get the best quality and value for your money. Our strength is being able to handle any size project while maintaining a personal, down-to-earth approach. For more information on First Site Development, go to www.firstsite.biz or call 845-635-DIGS.

Practical Clean Energy in the Hudson Valley

Practical Clean Energy in the Hudson Valley & What Benefits/Results You Should Expect

By Lindsay Suchow, Hudson Valley Clean Energy

It’s pretty obvious why solar power is so effective in states like California, Florida, and Arizona; you’d be hard-pressed to find a day that isn’t warm, sunny and clear in the southern and western United States. But just because we Northerners don’t have the luxury of owning anything but tropical shirts, sandals, and sunglasses doesn’t mean that we can’t harness the power of the sun just as well as individuals do on the west and gulf coasts.

In fact, temperature has little-to-nothing to do with the effectiveness of solar power – something that we are well aware of at Hudson Valley Clean Energy, New York State’s largest and most experienced solar installer. Hundreds of homeowners, businesses, municipalities, and nonprofits all over the Hudson Valley have also snubbed this widespread myth about solar power and are taking full advantage of this unlimited natural resource every day.

An all-too-common misconception about solar energy is that a warm climate is required in order for the sun to be a viable source of power for our homes and businesses. However, evidence actually supports the contrary. Solar energy is not measured by heat, but rather in peak sun hours per day. When compared with the rest of the country, the Hudson Valley and the entire northeast compare quite favorably to states such as California and Florida. The city of Los Angeles, for example, averages 5.2 peak sunlight hours per day; the city of Miami averages 5.2 hours. Meanwhile, here in the Hudson Valley, we average about 4.5 peak daylight hours – which is really not that much less than the warmer areas of the United States.

Sure, we tend to have higher amounts of cloudy, gloomy days than the Sunshine and Golden states, and our winters tend to be jam-packed with brutal snowstorms, icy conditions and sub-freezing temperatures. This is a harsh reality we were reminded of far too often this winter, which local utility Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation has dubbed the most devastating winter in the history of the company. Still, this bears very little relevance in the effectiveness of solar technology, since solar systems in the Northeast produce an approximately 5-to-10 percent higher power output than systems in the south. Lower year-round temperatures create a lower electrical resistance in the solar modules (or, more popularly referred to as “solar panels”), as well as other components such as electrical inverters. Since the output generated from solar modules is actually higher in cold temperatures, the gap between solar energy’s effectiveness in the northeast versus the southwest is closed even further.

So forget everything you thought you knew about solar power and embrace the power of the sun. Our customers are generating their own power naturally every day, whether it’s a fraction of their energy demands or 100 percent of their total electric usage. And with other technologies such as solar hot water and geothermal heating and cooling, it’s even possible to produce more power than you actually use – like Hudson Valley Clean Energy’s groundbreaking carbon-free headquarters in Rhinebeck, the first of its kind in the region.

Aging in Place – The Next Big Thing?
March 15, 2010
by Crans Baldwin
The more I travel, and the more I have the chance to speak with interior designers and also health care professionals, the more I am struck by the potential size of the “aging-in-place” market, and the number of interior designers that are unaware of this phenomenon. Let me commend to you the ASID website. They have an excellent section on Aging & Accessibility”. Let me quote from this site. “One of the biggest challenges in the next 30 years will be how to meet the demand for quality living environments for the burgeoning population of older adults”. ”But aging in place is not just about the home. The aging of the population will affect every interior environment – private, commercial, and public”.

From another website (Service Magic), “According to the AARP, over 80 million Americans will reach retirement age within the next 15 years, and over 80% of those retirees would like to stay in their present home as long as possible. Most homes aren’t built with the needs of aging seniors in mind.”

Just a thought, but this sounds like a huge marketing opportunity for the interior design profession at a time when the profession needs such a thing! It takes study and accreditation, but in return there is business to be had right now!

Spring College Intern Program Starts In March 2010

Meyer Contracting is trying something new in developing two new areas of business. In March, two Marist seniors will assist us in developing and launching Aging in Place and Clinton Property Management. Our goal is to launch both these programs in May 2010. We are excited to be able to utilize the efforts of these interns and give them the opportunity to gain some real hands-on business experience. We believe that giving students a chance to grow, be challenged to think outside-the-box and develop experience fits within our “Championship Culture”. Here is a brief bio on our two interns:

Heading up Clinton Property Management is Kelly Motley; a California native majoring in business administration. She is bright, quick, and a Dean’s list student who wants to develop more business experience having recently studied abroad in Italy. She will begin with Meyer Contracting after Spring break and the participation in an Ethics debate being held in Ohio. Our goal is for Kelly to apply her skills in organization and communication while also being stretched in the practical application of her business “textbook” knowledge.

Kristen Kapral, a local New Yorker, is up for the challenge in helping us launch Aging in Place. Coming from a family of contractors, she can identify with this project as her family recently renovated their grandparent’s home; ensuring a safe and longer stay in their home. This intelligent and talented student is pursuing her degree in Business Administration & Marketing. We anticipate this project will keep her challenged as she tackles a program that will affect 1/3 of our population.

Stay tuned for updates on the progress of our interns and these two new areas of business. If you are interested in approaching these interns to see if they might be interested in a job upon graduation, please give Katrina a call in our office.

Elna Magnetics - "Not the stereotypical contractor experience"

Project Name & Location: Elna Magnetics, Saugerities, NY

Project Description:
The project is a pre-engineered metal building with 20,000 square feet of one-story manufacturing and warehouse space, a 1500 square foot loading dock, 8000 square feet of office space on two levels and an 1100 square foot break room.

This facility is one of the first to be constructed under the Ulster County Industrial Development Agency. UCIDA is authorized to issue taxable and tax-exempt industrial development revenue bonds for qualified projects. Qualified projects include commercial, industrial, manufacturing, tourism and certain types of projects for not-for-profit corporations. The financing for qualified projects is provided with the proceeds of the sale of bonds by UCIDA. The bonds are purchased by banks, investment bankers, insurance companies and other financial institutions selected by the benefited company. The lease or purchase payments equal the debt service payments due on the bonds. This structure enables the benefited company to realize significant exemptions from certain New York State taxes. This structure also provides substantially the same security to the financial institution purchasing the bonds as in a conventional financing.

Project Highlights:
During the pre-construction design phase, Meyer Contracting provided extensive value engineering and redesign all of which resulted in substantial savings for the Owner

- Foundation re-design
- HVAC system re-design
- Site work re-design
- Mezzanine structural steel to provide bar joists and electric fixtures
allowing for HVAC cost reduction and ease of installation
- Value engineering was able to save $ 300,000 on project costs

Some of the special features of this facility in the building include a three-phase 480 volt electric system to allow for lower amperage and flexibility and versatility in machinery; rigid electric conduit throughout the manufacturing area as a safety precaution, a state-of-the-art bus duct system for the manufacturing area, high efficiency lighting throughout, provision for a future generator connection, full sprinkler system with back-up pump, water filtering pits for reuse of water for machinery, a stainless steel cable stair rail system to the second floor office areas, a truck loading dock with mechanized dock leveler, double insulated low E glass windows, an elevator and a glass viewing area from the offices to the manufacturing area. The site features flow-through planting beds, which filter out solids entering from the roof drain system so they do not enter the storm sewer system.

"Team" Roster:
The project was successful because of the "team building" approach, starting with design and value engineering and which continued throughout the project with input from:

•Architect, Scott Dutton Associates

•Owner’s representative for Elna Magnetics, Joe Ferraro
•Veith Electric
•DiLemme and Sons, Inc.
•JP Masonry
•Liberty Iron Works
•International Contractors
•Steel Solutions NY, Inc.
•Dutchess Overhead Doors
•Rondout Plate and Mirror
•AP Window Caulking
•DiBernardo Tile Co.
•JPH Painting
•Schindler Elevator
•Ashley Mechanical
•Albany Fire Protection

Thanks to everyone for pulling together as a team and making this such a successful build.

Project Owner: Joe Ferraro, Elna Magnetics
“We were pleased that we did not have the stereotypical contractor experience with Meyer Contracting with our building project. Their professional and customer driven approach was wonderful to work with. Our choosing to use Meyer Contracting was based upon their ability value engineer and problem solve and they exceeded our expectations.”

Architect: Scott Dutton - http://www.sda-architects.com/

Project Value: $ 3.8 Million

Construction Dates:
This project was begun in March 2009 and the Owner took occupancy of the manufacturing and warehouse October 15, 2009 and the office area December 1, 2009, all right on schedule.

Team Building

Are you considering building? Most owners of projects start the building process by hiring an architect to design a project and then finding several contractors to bid the job. This is the “traditional” approach. We propose “Team Building,” where the owner and the builder discuss the project and an architect that is best suited for the project is chosen. With almost 900 various and diverse projects competed, Meyer Contracting can recommend several architects for an owner to consider. At this point, a “partnership” is formed where ALL “team players” work together to design and build a building that not only meets the needs of the owner, but since everyone has been working on the project from the start and a positive experience is had by all. Some of the benefits of “Team Building” are:
• Accurate Budgeting - most “traditional” projects go over budget
• Reduced Design Costs - Regular reviews by the contractor during the design process means that the plans have fewer issues
• Reduced Building Time - With the contractor and architect working together on the project from the start, guess work and lost details are a thing of the past
So... get your project off on the right foot and contact us today to schedule a no obligation, no pressure consultation to discuss your project and begin your positive building experience.

Meyer Contracting enters a NEW marketing era

In August, Meyer Contracting welcomed Jonathan Meyer to our team as Director of Sales, Marketing and Development. Jonathan has an extensive background in sales and marketing in the private sector. Jonathan also has great entrepreneurial skills. Jonathan was President of Dutchess County Mortgage Company for 3 years. Jonathan has been involved with Meyer Contracting several times over the past three decades. In this current position, Jonathan brings a fresh perspective to Meyer Contracting. He is energetic, hard working, honest and steadfast in his belief that Meyer Contracting is one of the best General Contractors in the Hudson Valley. Jonathan’s goal is to continue to help Meyer grow especially in the private sector. His expertise in technology: computers, web design and function has been invaluable to Meyer and our staff. Check out our remodeled web site to see for yourself.
Jonathan is helping to promote and grow First Site Development, Inc. (Meyer’s site-work division) and Clinton Property Management LLC (Meyer’s affiliate property management company).
Jonathan resides in Clinton Corners with his wife, Christina, and their two boys Ryan (11) and Luke (8). He enjoys outdoor sports, boating and spending time with family and friends. He gives back to the community by volunteering, helping others in need and church affiliated programs.
Jonathan lives and exudes the Championship Culture that Meyer Contracting has been implementing and working on for the past year
We are lucky to have him and wish him well. You can contact him @ jmeyer@meyercontracting.com

Adriance Memorial Library - In with the New and Nearly New

ADRIANCE MEMORIAL LIBRARY
“In with the New and Nearly New”
By Cheri Raimondi, Project Manager
January 14, 2010

Meyer Contracting Corporation has now successfully completed the renovations to both the existing century-old historic Adriance Memorial Library and the four-level modern, colorful and the new, spacious Addition. The Poughkeepsie Public Library personnel moved in and held a memorable Grand Opening on October 18, 2009, with Pete Seeger and Tom Chapin, our local entertainment celebrities, providing entertainment and brightening what was otherwise a gray and rainy day. It was truly an occasion to remember, attended by hundreds of people who have anxiously awaited the re-opening of this cherished building, as the books had been moved to a temporary location and the local residents continually expressed their anticipation and excitement about the new facility.

The scope of the restoration included refinishing existing wood work, refinishing existing wood floors, cleaning and polishing marble floors, replacing damaged or missing plaster ceiling decorative trim, replacing missing ornamental wood doors and panels, replacing hardware for and refinishing/reglazing of existing windows, installing new state-of-the art storm windows for energy efficiency, repainting including the art deco dome, repairing deteriorated mortar joints to prevent moisture problems and numerous other “tweaks and touches” to all of the finishes to make them shine like new again..

The four-level addition is in full use by the public, who have waited patiently for the return of their beloved library. The use of interesting colors and shapes enhance the architecture and the workmanship. Computer labs, teen room, children’s room, community room, new executive offices add to the excitement of using the brand-new spaces. A dramatic entry way with a curved curtain wall and decorative cornice adds drama to the experience of accessing the ground floor. New spacious parking areas with historically-designed landscaping set the stage for the new Addition. Geothermal wells were provided to save energy. Low VOC finishes were used throughout to maintain a green environment. The interior spaces are full of unexpected shapes, colors and textures and the overall effect is modern and yet warm.

Meyer Contracting and its Team of expert Subcontractors, as well as the representatives of the Architect, Clark Patterson Lee, the Owner, the Poughkeepsie Public Library District and the Construction Manager, the Palombo Group worked tirelessly and in complete harmony for eighteen months on this project to produce the results. None of this could have been possible without these relationships.

We wish to thank Tom Lawrence, Janet Huen and Tony Fornby from the PPLD, Joseph Locascio, Chris Gent and Lou Rodriguez from TPG, Ray Wenzel and Dan Hogan of CPL and our subcontractors: Hudson Valley TRU Concrete, Sucato Builders, Orange County Iron Works, Xtreme Drywall, Goldinson Corporation, Barrett Roofing, Otis Elevator, Industrial Surfaces, Executive Park Painting, Tri State Acoustic Ceilings, J. Herbert Flooring, T G Elliott, Colonie Construction, Lewis Landscaping, Tilcon, Inc. Mion Tile, Rand Window Fashions and Accent Custom Cabinetry. Without their skill and knowledge, this project would not have turned out as well as it did. A special remembrance to our wood flooring subcontractor who is now deceased, Ken Forget.

I also wish to express my thanks to the our “super” Project Superintendent and Site Superintendent, Peter Wohlbach and D.J. Sadowski, respectively, as well as the Meyer Contracting personnel who worked on this project and produced the building we now see. There were a lot of long hard days on the roof, working on the cornice in wind chill sub-zero weather and a lot of painstaking restoration work in the existing building and Butch Sullinger, Frank Haas, Jim Mitchell, Brian Tedrow and Mike Oneto all did a great job. The site crew including Craig McKenna, Herb Lasher, Jim Humphrey and Jeremy Yakovonic produced a beautiful site. Words can not adequately express my gratitude and thankfulness that we have so many talented and dedicated people at Meyer Contracting.

In addition, I want to thank the office staff that makes the whole thing come together; Katrina McKenna, Christine Rice, Stacey Wilson and Linda Mckiernan, without whom we could not produce such a successful project.

Lastly, I can not overlook our “fearless leader”, who leads both by direction and, more importantly, by example, Chris Meyer, without whom this project would not have become a reality at Meyer Contracting, and whose experience and wisdom led us through the maze of problems and out the other end. This project was truly a labor of love and Meyer Contracting was honored to be a part of it.

Pleasant Valley Library Expansion

The past decade has seen phenomenal growth in library use—at the Pleasant Valley Free Library, circulation for 2009 was up 13% over 2008, for example. Free computers, DVDs of movies and books, and Wi-Fi account for higher levels of library use also.
In Pleasant Valley, we ran out of space for expansion ten years ago. Since then we have been forced to discard a book for every new one purchased. We desperately need to expand the usable building space. In the past few years we have instituted appeals, fundraising events, and ways to contribute to our fund for building expansion online. So far these efforts have produced thousands of dollars, almost all from Pleasant Valley Library patrons, but we are still a long way from funding building expansion.
The building we now have—the Manse—is owned by the Library. The Presbyterian Church next door has gives us a dollar-a-year lease on the land for another 150 years. When we bought the Manse forty years ago, community volunteers help refit it for a library building and added the one-story wing where most of the books are shelved. The resulting building was adequate until about 2000, when major increases in library use began. We added a half-dozen more computers and places to shelve books and other materials wherever we could. Eventually, with the help of a large grant from the Fairchild foundation, we rebuilt most of the 2nd floor of the Manse. In the process we solved structural problems. Separately, we replaced the aging soffits below the roof overhang, repainted the meeting room and first-floor reading room, installed replacement windows, and replaced a broken flagstone walkway with concrete, spending well over $60,000 to keep the Manse in shaped.
Not only is the Manse too small for current Library activity, but also there are other problems. While the first floor is barely handicapped accessible via a ramp that does not meet ADA specifications, the second floor, where the Children’s collection and meeting room are, can only be reached by steep stairs. The meeting room, used daily by many different community groups, is too small and can only be used during hours when the Library is open.
Ultimately, we need to double the effective size of the Library. As a first step, we need to create handicapped access.
The Library Trustees owe it to the Town to maintain the Manse, as the one of the few remaining historic buildings in Pleasant Valley. Also, it is important to keep the Library in its present central location. Architects have shown that we can expand the building sufficiently on the land we now lease and to blend the expansion with the existing building. Go to this link to see a rendering: http://www.pleasantvalleylibrary.org/capcampaign.html We also can expand in stages, probably starting with improved handicapped access.
What we lack now is sufficient funding. Tax-free donations can be made through the Community Foundation of Dutchess County, either with checks or by credit card at the Website , which can also be reached via the Library Website: http://www.cfscny.org
Written by Bryan Bunch (Board Member)

New Solar Energy Company coming to the Valley

Anytime businesses move to the Hudson Valley, that's a good thing for both employment and stirring the creative and competitive juices of local businesses. TSEC will be located in Kingston, see the below article:
http://www.midhudsonnews.com/news/2010/january/12/solar_anno-12jan10.html

It's a "NEW" year, let's keep those resolutions

10 Tips for Keeping New Year's Resolutions

The best way to stick with your resolution is to plan ahead.

Chances are, at some time in your life, you've made a New Year's Resolution -- and then broken it. This year, stop the cycle of resolving to make change, but then not following through. If your resolution is to take better care of yourself or get your vices under control, you'll have a much better year if your resolution sticks. Here are 10 tips to help get you started.

1. Be realistic
The surest way to fall short of your goal is to make your goal unattainable. For instance, resolving to never eat your favorite food again could be a bad choice. Strive for a goal that is attainable, such as avoiding it more often than you do now.

2. Plan ahead
Don't make your resolution on New Year's Eve. If you wait until the last minute, it will be based on your mindset that particular day. Instead, it should be planned well before December 31 arrives.

3. Outline your plan
Decide how you will deal with the temptation to skip that exercise class or have one more cigarette. This could include calling on a friend for help, practicing positive thinking and self-talk, or reminding yourself how your bad habit affects your life.

4. Make a "pro" and "con" list
It may help to see a list of items on paper to keep your motivation strong. Develop this list over time, and ask others to contribute to it. Keep your list with you and refer to it when you need help keeping your resolve.

5. Talk about it
Don't keep your resolution a secret. Tell friends and family members who will be there to support your resolve to change yourself for the better or improve your health. The best case scenario is to find yourself a buddy who shares your New Year's resolution and motivate each other.

6. Reward yourself
This doesn't mean that you can eat an entire box of chocolates if your resolution is to diet. Instead, celebrate your success by treating yourself to something that you enjoy that does not contradict your resolution. If you've been sticking to your promise to eat better, for example, perhaps your reward could be going to a movie with a friend.

7. Track your progress
Keep track of each small success you make toward reaching your larger goal. Short-term goals are easier to keep, and small accomplishments will help keep you motivated. Instead of focusing on losing 30 pounds, say, focus on losing that first 5. Keeping a food diary or a symptom journal may help you stay on track.

8. Don't beat yourself up
Obsessing over the occasional slip won't help you achieve your goal. Do the best you can each day, and take each day one at a time.

9. Stick to it
Experts say it takes about 21 days for a new activity, such as exercising, to become a habit, and 6 months for it to become part of your personality. Your new healthful habits will become second-nature in no time.

10. Keep trying
If your resolution has totally run out of steam by mid-February, don't despair. Start over again! There's no reason you can't make a "New Year's resolution" any time of year.

Fast Facts About New Year's Resolutions

* 63% of people say they are keeping their resolutions after two months
* 67% of people make three or more resolutions
* Top four resolutions:
1. Increase exercise
2. Be more conscientious about work or school
3. Develop better eating habits
4. Stop smoking, drinking, or using drugs (including caffeine)
* People make more resolutions to start a new habit than to break an old one.