Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Engineering the Outer Banks

Even on vacation, civil engineers have a unique ability to recognize engineering accomplishments that somehow our spouses failed to see. As my wife and I are spending a few days in the outer banks, a number of unique engineering challenges are apparent. Some that are similar to what we see in New England, others that are unique to this region.

The ones most evident are the light houses. Touring any local shop in town will provide calendars and pictures of these often photographed features in every possible light from every possible angle. The size of these large brick structures is impressive. Many have been moved since they were active to inland locations less susceptible to erosion, wind, and ocean tides. Lately public access to many national landmarks are slowly disappearing either due a function of maintenance needs or security issues.

These are still impressive structures and important landmarks along the shore roads even if they no longer guide mariners safely home. They are especially impressive when considering the time period when they were designed and constructed. Many long before the high rise buildings began gracing the sky lines of this country's major cities. There are many stories on how they were built, events that they witnessed, and even in some cases the storms in which they met their demise. Minot Light comes to mind for New Englanders.
Similar to the Cog Railroad in New Hampshire, the Cape Hatteras light house (upper photo) was recognized as an ASCE civil engineering national landmark. Equally impressive, but probably held back by limited vantage points for photographs is the Currituck Beach lighthouse. Both are valuable features for navigating the roads of the Outer Banks if you didn't bring your GPS unit.

A less publicized engineering feat is the constant battle between the dunes and the ocean. The Outer Banks is a narrow ribbon of land that has been built up with a series of large beautiful vacation houses. On one side of the banks is the ocean and on the other is the sound. The natural world is intent on reconnecting these two large water features at the cost of any structures constructed in between. Every couple of decades the ocean reexerts itself by carving a new channel through the banks taking out any man-made features that exist in between. Signs along the dunes strictly prohibit trespass on the dunes. Special programs have been organized to establish and maintain vegetation to minimize erosion.

Walking along the beach, sections of fencing can be seen oriented to foster the health of the dunes. The fencing would recall for New Englanders the fences set up during the winter to discourage the drifting of snow in exposed sections of highway.

The dunes provide a natural barrier between the ocean and the inland features. They also provide a haven for many of the wildlife in the area. Patrolling the dunes are a number of wild horses that have adapted to the coarse grasses that grow along the dunes. The horses look as tough as the grasses that grow with a higher tolerance for salt, stomachs adapted to the limited vegetation and an acceptance of the many vehicles that share the beach environment.
The sand below the waves also changes continuously and sometimes radically. On lazy days on the beach, one can witness daily changes in the way the waves come ashore as sands under the water shift constantly and create new patterns for the waves rising and breaking on shore. This was very evident following a storm where this large object was spotted for a few days. It was a distance off shore so I didn't have an opportunity to inspect it up close. It appeared to be a large anchor with the head and two spines sticking out of the water. It was visible for two days, but completely gone the third day. It had disappeared before I had a chance to investigate.
Looking at the houses in the outer bank, it is interesting that as spectacular as the architecture and stature of the buildings, the bottom floors are built almost sacrificially. These large structures are built almost like pole buildings with the main living spaces usually on the second or third floor. The bottom floors are often sided with lattice work with the basement rooms almost anticipating a day when the waters could wash through the house.





As with the devastation that recently visited New England, the outer banks can count on being visited by seasonal storms including tropical storms and hurricanes. The recent hurricane that hit Vermont and northern New Hampshire also took its toll on North Carolina. The main road that connects Cape Hatteras to Kitty Hawk (made famous by the Wright  Brothers flight). The road was stabilized with over-sized sand bags about four feet in diameter and about eight feet long. Bridges foundations were hastily made out of steel casings for the piers and sheet piling and concrete for the abutments.

In previous years, we had came south to this area to watch the kite surfing. This year it was a very sobering as we passed through the devastation. Piles of debris lined the road from flooded items removed from the first floors. The worst hit area was a series of beautiful homes with the adjacent road and patios collapsed into a newly formed canal. One house listed precariously to one side leaving no doubt that its foundation had passed the point where simple repairs could restore the building structure. On the ocean side there were a few homes founded on piles with the leading columns touching the water. The failure of these columns had led to deck failures several levels above the water. Posted to the doors were the condemnation papers from the county announcing to the world that they structures were no longer suitable for human habitation.

We drove through very somberly knowing that only a slight change of fates in either North Carolina or even at our home in New Hampshire and we would share the fate of these property owners. Our trips to the Outer Banks are spent with good friends with a lot of stories told and a great deal of laughter. It would be hard to imagine the loss of the vacation home that has been our home away from home for more than five years now.











Landmark chimney may need renovations to meet state requirements for Nashua parkway construction - NashuaTelegraph.com

Landmark chimney may need renovations to meet state requirements for Nashua parkway construction - NashuaTelegraph.com

Friday, October 21, 2011

With $81.4M bid, team promises new bridge by '13 | SeacoastOnline.com

With $81.4M bid, team promises new bridge by '13 SeacoastOnline.com

New Hampshire’s Cranmore Mountain Invests in Snowmaking and Facilities for This Winter

New Hampshire’s Cranmore Mountain Invests in Snowmaking and Facilities for This Winter

Panel reviews disaster plan for Yankee - Brattleboro Reformer

Panel reviews disaster plan for Yankee - Brattleboro Reformer

Only in Print: Berlin mayor OK with concept of hydropower | New Hampshire NEWS15

Only in Print: Berlin mayor OK with concept of hydropower New Hampshire NEWS15

McCarthy has city growth in mind in alderman-at-large run - NashuaTelegraph.com

McCarthy has city growth in mind in alderman-at-large run - NashuaTelegraph.com

Bow: Town considers new safety building | Concord Monitor

Bow: Town considers new safety building Concord Monitor

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Give back interest rate controls to the States


There is a lot of discussion about cutting taxes and government services in order to reinvigorate the economy. This is a simple subject since anyone paying taxes generally believes they are paying too much. The reasoning behind cutting taxes normally centers around the assumption that the government spends too much and that when people pay less tax they run out and buy consumer goods. It is also assumed that when taxes are cut for higher income individuals, they all run out and expand their businesses. This may be an odd discussion for an Infrastructure blog, but we need to make sound decisions on taxation in order to properly fund our Infrastructure programs.

I think there is an easier way to get more money back in the hands of consumers. This would be by simply better managing the amount of interest the average Americans are paying. I find it criminal that banks can obtain money at the federal prime rate of about 3.25%, then lend the same money out to consumers at rates that can exceed 30%. Recall that when the banks were in financial crisis, the Federal Reserve provided many of the bail out loans at 0%. I am certainly oversimplifying these facts. To walk a mile in the banking industry’s shoes, I should go out and try lending money to one of my neighbors to better understand the risks. The interesting part is that by State of New Hampshire law, I can only charge 10% interest.

For individual State rates see http://www.lectlaw.com/files/ban02.htm

Further research shows that most States have statutory usury laws that prevent individuals from charging much more than about 15%. Since many of the laws were set during the runaway inflation of the 1970’s and 1980’s several of the States have a higher maximum rate, but are then indexed to Treasury bill rates or prime. They were trying to be fair to the banks while home mortgage insurance rates were up around 18%, but the indexes are about 5% over prime or less than 10%. Since then prime has dropped, but the maximums were never adjusted.

So why can banks charge so much for interest rates? Again in the runaway inflationary period of the late 1970’s first the Supreme Court in Marquette vs. First Omaha Services, allowed banks to import the credit laws from the State where they were chartered, then in 1980, Congress passed the Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act. Along with other things this allowed federally charted institutions to effectively override state usury laws. With high inflation this provided some parity to the banks at the time, but the intent clearly isn’t the usury, even predatory, practices that are going on today. Again in 1996 the Supreme Court in Smiley vs. Citibank further limited the power of the states to regulate credit cards.

In 2009, the US Census showed that the average American owed about $8400 in credit card debt. Federal Reserve studies show the revolving debt of American families to be about $793.1 billion dollars with the number of households that carry revolving debt more than 30 days being 50.2 million households. That would place the average household using credit cards at about $15,800 in debt. The average credit card interest rate is about 13%, with a range from a 0% introductory rate to about 36% for default rates. Interestingly, default rates were once based upon the history of the actual credit card account. New regulations now allow for banks to raise rates on accounts when the borrower is late on any of their debt, including accounts not managed by the lender!

So here is my incentive program. For the 50.2 million American households paying 13% interest on $15,800 balances or about $2054 per year in interest, and everyone else, let's provide a national interest structure that is fair. It would be best to allow States to dictate the rates, but since the Supreme Court has already ruled that the bank’s home state can dictate the credit terms (allowing banks to relocate to the states with the best terms anyway!), let’s set allowable national rates indexed to prime. The average rate should be closer to about 5% above prime. With the maximum rate about 10% above prime (today the average works out to a little less than 10% above prime with some of the maximum rates over 30% over prime). Note that right now there is no maximum interest rate on credit cards as long as the bank has a repeatable formula and that the formula is detailed in the small print of the credit card application. If the average credit card interest rate was reduced to 8%, the average credit householder as stated above would receive an additional $790 per year. This would provide the same stimulus as a major tax reduction, without deferring critical investments such as infrastructure.


Merrimack to revive pay-as-you-throw | New Hampshire NEWS06

Merrimack to revive pay-as-you-throw New Hampshire NEWS06

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Hollis water problems continue expected to last for days more - NashuaTelegraph.com

Hollis water problems continue expected to last for days more - NashuaTelegraph.com

PSNH: EPA is rushing change in water-usage rules for power plant - NashuaTelegraph.com

PSNH: EPA is rushing change in water-usage rules for power plant - NashuaTelegraph.com

Senate votes down Obama's jobs bill | Concord Monitor

Senate votes down Obama's jobs bill Concord Monitor

Crews take apart east Buck Street dam | Concord Monitor

Crews take apart east Buck Street dam Concord Monitor

PSNH requests more time for permit review | Concord Monitor

PSNH requests more time for permit review Concord Monitor

Maine turnpike boss touts plan to increase E-ZPass use | SeacoastOnline.com

Maine turnpike boss touts plan to increase E-ZPass use SeacoastOnline.com

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Fluoride in Public Water Polarizing Subject

I have been amazed at how polarizing the subject of Fluoridation of drinking water can be to a community. Many years ago I innocently investigated the technical and cost implications of adding fluoride to the community water system for a small town where I was then living. I was surprised to find that the owner of the system would be willing to provide fluoridation for no additional cost, if I could provide documentation that the town supported the measure.

I had mistakenly believed that it would be technology, and ultimately money, that would be the restricting factor. I had begun my inquiry with the understanding that fluoride added to municipal water systems was responsible for a reduction in cavities of about 20-40%  in children assuming they were already brushing. My community had many people not receiving adequate health and dental care, so this appeared to be a reasonable line of inquiry to promote general health.

My first hint that this might be a bigger issue was when I talked to some local dentists. Each supported fluoridation, but just smiled when I suggested they join me in backing the measure. They would support fluoridation if asked individually, but would not support the effort on record. At the time I did not fully understand the difference in these semantics.

Others told me that fluoride was toxic and led to radical facial deformations in high percentages of children. My understanding was that the levels prescribed for public water were between 0.5-1.0 mg/l. When taken in significantly larger doses fluoride is in fact toxic, but that can be said for many of the minerals the body needs. The more people I talked to the more opposition I met.

I had become involved with this subject in hopes of helping children who may not have access to the appropriate dental care, but had somehow become viewed as a revolutionary intent on usurping the individual rights of American citizens. Today I see were the issue has been more carefully framed as an ethical issue. The practice is viewed by some as a mass medication where the consent of all users has not and can not be proven. The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention calls the practice one of the greatest public health achievements of the century, but the debate continues as a very polarizing subject.

The recent case in Clearwater, Florida is a good example of the current debate. I never went forward with any suggestion to add fluoride to the water after hearing some of the negative response. I thought at the time of only helping the children. Hopefully no one felt my acts as part of a plot "to keep the people stupid so they don't realize what's going on" as suggested in the Clearwater article.

Pinellas County Commission votes to stop putting fluoride in water supply - St. Petersburg Times

Pinellas County Commission votes to stop putting fluoride in water supply - St. Petersburg Times

Proposed Increase to Davis-Bacon Contract Threshold

On October 6, 2011, HR 3135 was introduced. This resolution proposes to amend Title 40 of the United States code, more commonly known as the Davis-Bacon Act, by increasing the threshold dollar amount for construction contracts subject to the prevailing wage restrictions.

The bill was introduced by congressman Jeff Duncan (R-SC). This republican-backed resolution currently has 21 republican co-sponsors (none from NH). There is little information available on the bill at this time including any suggested thresholds.

After introduction, a House Resolution is assigned to House Education and Workforce committee. This is very early in the process. It should be noted that the majority of resolutions never make it out of their respective committees.

Prospect of a wind farm has Temple doing its homework | New Hampshire NEWS15

Prospect of a wind farm has Temple doing its homework New Hampshire NEWS15

Number of NH dentists on the rise, push for more access to fluoridated water in communities | The Republic

Number of NH dentists on the rise, push for more access to fluoridated water in communities The Republic

East Buck Street Dams to be razed | Concord Monitor

East Buck Street Dams to be razed Concord Monitor

BACKGROUND REPORT ON NEW HAMPSHIRE TRANSMISSION INFRASTRUCTURE December 1, 2007

An older report on transmission infrastructure needs prior to the Northern Pass discussions. Produced by the PUC for the General Court.

http://www.puc.nh.gov/Transmission%20Commission/Transmission%20Infrastructure/NHPUC%20SB140%20Report%2012-1-07%20REDACTED.pdf

Monday, October 3, 2011

Northern Pass foes: It’s about money | New Hampshire NEWS05

Northern Pass foes: It’s about money New Hampshire NEWS05

GACIT Hearing Schedule See how the Ten-Year Transportation Plan is Developed

~ PUBLIC NOTICE ~
Pursuant to RSA 228:99 and RSA 240, the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Intermodal
Transportation (GACIT), which is composed of the five Executive Councilors and the Commissioner
of the New Hampshire Department of Transportation announces that Public Hearings will be held to
review and receive input on the update of the State’s Ten Year Transportation Improvement Plan
(2013-2022).
The purpose of these Public Hearings is to receive public comments/testimony on the projects and
materials included in the draft 2013-2022 Ten-Year Transportation Improvement Plan as
recommended by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation to GACIT. Those not able to
attend the meetings can submit written testimony within 10 days of the completion of the Public
Hearings, but no later than November 10, 2011.
Copies of any documents related to the Ten-Year Transportation Improvement Plan (2013-2022) will be
available for review on the NHDOT website prior to the first Public Hearing:
http://www.nh.gov/dot/org/projectdevelopment/planning/typ/index.htm
& Community Assistance at the Department of Transportation (603-271-3344).
Written Comments should be addressed to:
William E. Watson, P.E.
Bureau of Planning and Community Assistance
New Hampshire Department of Transportation
John O. Morton Building, 7 Hazen Drive
P.O. Box 483
Concord, NH 03302-0483
Any individuals needing assistance or auxiliary communication equipment due to sensory
impairment or other disability, should contact Sharon Allaire, (603) 271-3344, NHDOT, P.O. Box
483, Concord, N.H. 03302-0483 - TDD access: Relay N.H. 1-800-735-2964. Notification of the
need for assistance must be made no later than 7 days before the meeting.
The projects developed through the Ten Year Plan process will be administered according to the
requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes to ensure nondiscrimination.

Executive Councilor Raymond Burton
Chairman, Governor’s Advisory Commission on Intermodal Transportation (GACIT)
Dated at Concord, NH
this 26th day of August 2011


Public Hearings are scheduled statewide as follows:
or by contacting the Bureau of Planning
Revised September 23, 2011
Public Hearing Schedule for 2013 - 2022 Ten Year Plan
Executive Councilor Date Town/City Time Location

District 1
Cnclr. Raymond Burton
Sept 12 (Mon)
2011 Charlestown 8:00 AM
Charlestown Town Hall
19 Summer Street

District 1
Cnclr. Raymond Burton
Sept 12 (Mon)
2011 Lebanon 10:30 AM
Lebanon City Hall
51 Park St 5
th Floor

District 1
Cnclr. Raymond Burton
Sept 12 (Mon)
2011 Haverhill 1:30 PM
Town Office
James Morrill Meeting Room
2975 Dartmouth College HW

District 1
Cnclr. Raymond Burton
Sept 12 (Mon)
2011 Littleton 4:00 PM
Littleton Community Center
Community House Annex
120 Main Street

District 1
Cnclr. Raymond Burton
Sept 12 (Mon)
2011 Lancaster 7:00 PM
DRED Building
629B Main Street

District 2
Cnclr. Dan St. Hilaire
Sept 15 (Thur)
2011 Franklin 7:00 PM
Franklin City Hall
Council Chambers
316 Central Street

District 1
Cnclr. Raymond Burton
Sept 19 (Mon)
2011 Wakefield 8:00 AM
Sanbornville Public Safety
Bldg
2017 Wakefield Road

District 1
Cnclr. Raymond Burton
Sept 19 (Mon)
2011 Moultonborough 11:00 AM
Moultonborough Town Office
6 Holland Street

District 1
Cnclr. Raymond Burton
Sept 19 (Mon)
2011 *Conway 2:30 PM
Town Hall Upstairs
1634 East Main Street
Center Conway

District 4
Cnclr. Ray Wieczorek
Sept 21 (Wed)
2011 Derry 7:00 PM
Derry Municipal Center
14 Manning Street

District 3
Cnclr. Christopher
Sununu
Sept 22 (Thurs)
2011 Durham 7:00 PM
Durham Town Hall
Council Chambers
15 Newmarket Road

District 1
Cnclr. Raymond Burton
Sept 26 (Mon)
2011 Laconia 8:00 AM
City Council Chambers
Room 200-A
45 Beacon Street East

District 1
Cnclr. Raymond Burton
Sept 26 (Mon)
2011 Plymouth 11:00 AM
Town Hall – upstairs
6 Post Office Square

District 1
Cnclr. Raymond Burton
Sept 26 (Mon)
2011 Warren 1:30 PM
Town Hall
19 Water Street

District 1
Cnclr. Raymond Burton
Sept 26 (Mon)
2011 Lincoln 4:30 PM
Lincoln Public Library
Conference Room
22 Church

District 1
Cnclr. Raymond Burton
Sept 26 (Mon)
2011 Berlin 7:30 PM
Town Hall Auditorium
168 Main Street

District 2
Cnclr. Dan St. Hilaire
Sept 28 (Wed)
2011 Northwood 7:00 PM
Northwood Town Hall
818 First NH Turnpike

District 5
Cnclr. David Wheeler
Sept 29 (Thur)
2011 Nashua 7:00 PM
City Auditorium-3
229 Main Street
(use Elm Street Entrance)
rd Floor

District 2
Cnclr. Dan St. Hilaire
Oct 3 (Mon)
2011 *Concord 7:00 PM
City Council Chambers
41 Green Street

District 4
Cnclr. Ray Wieczorek
Oct 5 (Wed)
2011 *Manchester 7:00 PM
Aldermanic Chambers
3
1 City Hall Plaza
rd Floor, City Hall

District 5
Cnclr. David Wheeler
Co-Hosted with
District 2
Cnclr. Dan St. Hilaire
Oct 6 (Thur)
2011 Peterborough 7:00 PM
Town Hall – Upper Hall
1 Grove Street

District 3
Cnclr. Christopher
Sununu
Oct 13 (Thur)
2011 Plaistow 7:00 PM
Plaistow Town Hall
145 Main Street

District 3
Cnclr. Christopher
Sununu
Oct 18(Tue)
2011 Salem 7:00 PM
Salem Town Hall
33 Geremonty Drive

District 4
Cnclr. Ray Wieczorek
Oct 19 (Wed)
2011 *Bedford 7:00 PM
Bedford Cable TV Meeting
Room
10 Meetinghouse Road

District 5
Cnclr. David Wheeler
Co-Hosted with
District 2
Cnclr. Dan St. Hilaire
Oct 20 (Thur)
2011 Keene 7:00 PM
Keene Parks & Recreation
312 Washington Street
Room 14

District 3**
Cnclr. Christopher
Sununu
Oct 26 (Wed)
2011 North Hampton 7:00 PM
Town Hall
231 Atlantic Avenue

District 2
Cnclr. Dan St. Hilaire
Oct 27 (Thur)
2011 Rochester 7:00 PM
Community Center
150 Wakefield Street
Conference Room 1-A

*Denotes Public Hearing to be taped and broadcast by local television stations
**Denotes Meeting moved to October 26
th from October 11th at the same location