Dwight Morrow High School Alumni Say Goodbye to the Trolley

June 30, 2013 the Englewood Trolley will be decommissioned and returned to the

the Department of Transportation

A Century Old Garden Spot on the Mend

A percolation test (from percolation, colloquially called a perc test) is a test to determine the absorption rate of soil for a septic drain field or "leach field". The results of a percolation test are required to properly design a septic system. In its broadest terms, percolation testing is simply observing how quickly a known volume of water dissipates into the subsoil of a drilled hole of known surface area. While every jurisdiction will have its own laws regarding the exact calculations for the length of line, depth of pit, etc., the testing procedures are the same. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percolation_test

In general, sandy soil will absorb more water than soil with a high concentration of clay or where the water table is close to the surface.

A percolation test, or perk test, is a way to evaluate the absorption of a particular area of soil. Perk tests are important because septic systems cannot be designed appropriately without understanding the absorption rate of the soil. Regulator agencies require that all land undergoes a perk test before a septic tank is installed. Even if a septic system is not being installed, a perk test can be beneficial in that it determines the quality of the soil in a given tract of land. 

 http://www.ehow.com/about_5035988_land-perk-test.html#ixzz2X3kokMr0

Unfortunately our garden has been transformed into a new garden. We must begin at the beginning. The soil that replaced the long tilled and maintained garden soil that was here previously does not have the same absorption quality. The loam is not of the same high quality. It is going to require some really hard work to get that great loam back. We are going to have to start from the beginning. We already see that the present conditions involve very slow absorption rates. We are forced to change the current drainage problem created by the topsoil removal and the packing down of the subsoil in the planting site to decrease runoff and to make it a garden space all over again. We need lots of compost and organic matter to accomplish this.

The remaining soil has a high content of clay and it is draining slowly. We must move forward and rebuild the great loam created in over a 100 years of gardening in which compost of various kinds were added to the soil. A good loam  has just the right combination of sand, clay, and silt. Soils with high contents of sand will drain too quickly and high contents of clay will cause standing water.  A good loam will minimize the amount of standing water in low areas of the garden plot. Mr. Gainey's across the garden plot way of laying the rows will also work to decrease run off and increase absorption rate. Those previous conditions that made this a good space for gardening will take quite a few years to replace.  http://www.veggiegardener.com/how-to-measure-soil-drainage/

Using Mother Nature to Protect her Bounty

Rainfall flows downhill. The good traditional Farmer plows across the path of the rain. This will slow the water down forcing much of it to be absorbed into the soil and less of the vital nutrients to be washed away by the downpoor. Seasoned farmers know that the rows should be spaced far enough apart so that the middle of the 2 rows has sufficient soil to heel up around the plants as they grow. This may be done with the tiller or with the old fashioned mule in front pulling or man behind pushing. I actually prefer the antique hand push model here because it disturbs the plants the least.

My New Friend.

I met this young lady on Labor Day in MacKay Park  She was not afraid of me and I was not afraid of her. At times she seemed to pose for the camera. I don't know how she got there, and I still wonder what happened to her. I have returned several times looking for her. I hope she made it back to her family.

We may not like the fact that this doe is here, but there she is, with gates to Elmore Avenue in the midst of MacKay Park. There are a lot of different elements in the Park that need to be nurtured and yes, controlled. Planning is the key. What is the plan and who designed it? Who controls the plan now? Who answers for the mistakes? How do we hold that person or persons accountable?

Do We Have Trained Elected Officials?

City Council members, like School Board Members are required to get training. 

One does not automatically know how to run a city simply because ONE got the most votes. Why are we not demanding that our City Council members be required to participate in this mandated training? 

When one attends City Council meetings, one notices the lack of knowledge of the real workings of a City. The "Quality of Life" for all residents will improve when elected officials begin to understand their roles. They must begin to set better examples for our children. 

They have been chosen by popular vote and must begin to show more desirable character traits. Children need better role models. Children need to see City Officials engaged in the Scholarly Pursuit of information to improve the "Quality of Life" for all residents. Study up City Council. We are giving you a failing grade.

WE ARE THE CITY!!!

The New Jersey League of Municipalities

http://www.njslom.org/


The official Publication of the New Jersey League of Municipalities

http://www.njslom.org/maghome.html

Ethics: Essential in Government

http://www.njslom.org/magart0505_page26.html