HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2015-10-29, Page 21THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015. PAGE 21.
Eco-friendly options for all types of fall cleanup
MS –Autumn is upon us, and with
the change of seasons comes the fall
to-do list that must be completed
before the arrival of winter weather.
Many outdoor jobs are best
completed before temperatures drop,
while others can be tackled indoors
to help save energy and prepare for
increased time spent inside the
home.
OUTDOOR CLEAN-UP
Autumn means leaves are falling
from trees and littering landscapes.
Cleaning up leaves can be a time-
consuming task, but it’s necessary to
promote the health of lawns and
other plants. Grass that is completely
matted down with leaves can
become starved for light and
moisture, and lawns may even rot
when forced to spend winter beneath
fallen leaves.
One eco-friendly timesaver is to
shred leaves with a mower (a manual
mower is preferable) and leave them
as topdressing for the lawn. As long
as the grass blades can be seen
within the leaves, the lawn should be
fine. Shredded leaves will
decompose and add necessary
nutrients and organic matter to the
soil naturally.
Leaves also can be used in annual
flower and vegetable gardens to
improve the soil. Mulch made from
shredded leaves can be placed on the
soil around trees and shrubs. This
helps to reduce weed problems and
protects root systems from harsh
temperature fluctuations.
CLOTHING DONATIONS
It’s time to pack away summer
clothing and once again fill closets
and drawers with sweaters and jeans.
Before packing away your summer
wardrobe, conduct an inventory to
determine if there are any items you
no longer use. Donate these items or
use them as rags when cleaning.
Keep some short-sleeved shirts
accessible so you can layer them
under sweatshirts and sweaters. The
heat from layering will be trapped
against your body and keep you
cozier, reducing your reliance on
HVAC systems to stay warm.
HOME REPAIRS
Check the roof for any missing
shingles. In addition, look for spots
where animals or insects may be
able to gain entry into your home.
Seal these areas and repair any
leaks. This will make your
home more efficient later on
when winter hits its stride.
Remove window air conditioners
for the winter. If they can’t be
removed, seal them with caulking or
tape and cover them with an airtight,
insulated jacket. If you have forced-
air systems, move furniture away
from the vents so that air can flow
better around the home and keep it
comfortable.
Check weatherstripping around
windows and doors and make the
necessary adjustments. Installing
additional insulation also can help
reduce energy consumption.
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Keeping it earth-friendly
Whether it’s saving space by donating rarely used clothing or items, keeping plants clear of
leaves so they can thrive or layering clothing to reduce the use and extend the life of heating
systems, there are plenty of options to keep a home and those living in it in tune with nature.
(MS photo)
Property owners may not always
feel that the assessed value of their
home is correct and, in those cases,
they need to know how to remedy
the problem.
Locally, assessment is handled by
the Municipal Property Assessment
Corporation (MPAC). The third-
party organization values homes
based on a base value for the
property and buildings and adjusts it
for location as well as other factors
that affect a final property value.
Typically, a letter is sent out when
assessment changes, at which point
a landowner has until the end of
March the next year to point out any
problems they believe the
assessment has.
To do so, the homeowner can fill
out a form called the Request for
Reconsideration on the MPAC
website, either online or printed, out,
and deliver it to the organization.
The form is four pages long when
printed and asks for basic
identifying information for the
property first including the roll
number, which can be located on
most tax documents and all
information from MPAC, the
owners, their phone numbers
and e-mail addresses to get in
contact with the homeowners.
Second, an explanation of why the
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Navigating an MPAC
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By Denny Scott
The Citizen Continued on page 22