Today's Feature

Committee Reviews Parks.

The Public Services Committee began a new project designed to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each park in Carthage at their meeting last Monday. Committee Chair Jim Woestman said that he hoped to look at one park each month, analyze the park systems and make a list of potential improvements for a master plan. The Committee began the project by opening discussion on Griggs Park and Freer Park.

The Committee members discussed water retention at Freer Park but made no recommendation of a solution. Suggested improvements included a possible walking trail.

Griggs Park was determined to be a very full park that is used quite frequently. The Committee discussed the possibility of replacing the backstop on the ball field and adding a second backstop on another portion of the park. Parks Director Alan Bull said that the old restrooms are not up to code and that a portable restroom service had been employed with much success. Areas for improvement included an asphalt rollerblade pad that has deteriorated.

City Administrator Tom Short recommended to the Committee that a public survey be made available through the City website for the purpose of getting citizens’ opinions of the parks. The Committee will continue these discussions at the meeting on April 4.

I’ve come upon the ultimate test for the patience of any do-it-your-selfer. Hookin’ up one light to be operated by not just two, but three different switches.

The normal installation of a three-way switch is complex enough. Especially considerin’ that a three-way switch only works from two locations. To make the third location work, ya need what they call a four way switch. I guess they consider "off" as one of the various "ways" a switch works.

It’s even possible for the light to be switched by four or more different locations. To accomplish this you need additional four-way switches. Not a five way or six-way.

You can get diagrams for hookin’ everything up, but ya can’t make heads or tails of ‘em. Most end up just hookin’ this wire and that until the light comes on. Not recommended unless your insurance is paid.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Radiator Tips

Q: I recently moved to the Northeast and purchased a converted loft that is heated by an old radiator system. While it seems to give off plenty of heat, the radiator makes all sorts of funky noises from time to time. Can I fix this problem without having to call in a repair person? — Charles M., Boston

A: Keeping an old steam radiator system in top shape is practically an art form — one that in many areas of the country is slowly becoming a lost art as the number of experienced steam-heat repair professionals diminish. Luckily, you’re in an area where hot-water and steam heating systems are still fairly common, and a good number of pros are available to fix problems that arise.

The problem of noises — banging noises, mostly — coming from a radiator is one that can likely be resolved on your own. Simply adjusting the height of the unit at one end may be all that is needed.

Check the support legs at the bottom of the radiator. If there are bolts in the legs that can be turned to adjust their height, great. If not, you’ll need shims (basically, thin pieces of wood or metal) to make this adjustment. Next, check the type of pipe system: a one-pipe radiator has a single pipe (usually located near the bottom) for both the steam and condensate to enter and exit; a two-pipe system has a pipe near the top (for steam to enter) and a pipe near the bottom (for condensate to drain).

What’s the difference? If your radiator is a one-pipe system, you need to tilt it slightly to allow condensed water to drain out through the pipe. If it’s a two-pipe system, water must drain into a special trap that allows it to cool down before being drained. So, locate where the condensate actually drains before shimming the unit.

Open the radiator’s steam valve fully (place a bucket or towels beneath it and be careful — its hot), then tilt the radiator up toward the trap or pipe by either turning the height adjustment bolts on the legs or inserting shims of appropriate width underneath the legs. Close the steam valve.

If the height adjustment doesn’t resolve the noise issue, don’t lose heart. Old systems often develop a lot of problems due to excess silt and corrosion. The trap or pipe could be clogged; the supply pipe’s valve could be partially closed; In these cases, a professional should come in and inspect the building’s entire system, in addition to your radiator.