Outdoor Electric Grilling Brings Great Meals to Life

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For several really good reasons outdoor cooking on an electric grill makes more sense than ever. �The days when electric grills were under-performing novelties are long gone,� says John McLemore president of Masterbuilt Outdoor Products, which manufactures and markets the very contemporary Electric Veranda Grill. He points out that the evolving demographics of the U.S. household make them literally the only outdoor cooking game in town for a steadily increasing percentage of residential environments. �This has encouraged the barbecue industry to develop new technologies which result in greatly improved performance for electric grills,� says McLemore.

The typical American barbecuing household � and there are about 80 million of them � now has more than one grill. A second (or even third) grill makes a terrific Father�s Day gift and the good thing about electric grills is they will fit into virtually any gift-giving budget.

The average household size -- once 2.8 people -- has decreased to 2.4, as a result of the �empty nest� syndrome and downsizing among the Baby Boomer generation. Market research tells us that within 20 years a full 25 percent of all households will be just one person. In many multi-family residential developments, including town homes, condos and apartment buildings, gas and charcoal grills are often not allowed, leaving only outdoor electric grills as the choice. They not only optimize available outdoor cooking space, but are considered safer.

Barbecue Time � Anytime

May is National Barbecue Month, when people begin outdoor cooking on a more frequent basis, though today nearly 60 percent of all grill owners cook outdoors year-round. A recent consumer survey by the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA) showed that fully 25 percent of barbecuers intend to buy another grill during 2005, and 30 percent plan to upgrade their outdoor cooking area. May is a prime time for both grill buying and yard improvements.

Plug and Play�Small Footprints, Too


No, we�re not talking about desktop PCs, but electric grills, which now provide high performance with increased convenience and ease of use. The Electric Veranda Grill from Masterbuilt is meeting wide consumer acceptance. It features a contemporary stainless steel dome (unique to its product category), a striking black pedestal, a cooking surface of 200 square inches, easy to use controls and a drop tray for simple cleanup. A 1650 Watt heating element enables cooking temperatures up to 600 degrees to sear that sizzling steak or juicy hamburger, yet requires only a standard 110 volt electrical outlet. Unlike earlier electric grills, it recovers cooking temperatures quickly after putting cold food on to cook and its heating element and inner pot are ready for easy cleaning once unplugged.

Meeting Consumer Needs

Many consumers, particularly women and seniors, are simply more comfortable with an electric appliance. This reliable new electric grill can be placed in the corner of even the smallest patio porch, deck or apartment terrace and its six-foot cord enables far greater latitude in placement than most other models. It is not advisable to use extension cords with electric grills as it reduces the high temperature capability, so cord length matters.

This new electric grill is very affordable at about $199.00 retail. Equally important, it is inexpensive to operate -- with no possibility of running out of fuel in the middle of a barbecue. For more information visit www.masterbuilt.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content
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Lanesborough Town Meeting to Vote Budget, Bylaws & Vehicle Purchases

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Tuesday's annual town meeting includes a $14 million operating budget, new short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units and sign bylaws, and free cash article appropriations.

Voters will gather at Lanesborough Elementary School on June 9 at 6 p.m. to decide on 20 warrant articles.

The fiscal 2027 budget is up a little over 10 percent. Some of the main increases are the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School: the McCann assessment is up more than 30 percent based on factors including enrollment and the school renovation project, and Mount Greylock's is up 11 percent.

Article 11 is for the town to vote to approve from free cash the sum of $16,298.48 for the McCann Technical School roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. Article 3 is  appropriate $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School assessment.

Another notable increase was in life and health insurance, showing an increase of about 26 percent.

Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. One of the articles asks the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses.

Many town departments are looking for new vehicles. The Fire Department is looking to replace its outdated 1996 fire engine. There are two articles related to the truck at a total of $813,366. Article 12 would transfer $225,000 from free cash into the Fire Truck Stabilization Fund; Article 13 would transfer $605,000 from the fund and authorize the borrowing of $208,366.08.

The total includes a $100,000 contingency cost to cover any additional costs if a 2026 model-year chassis cannot be secured before new emissions standards go into effect in 2027.

The board at its last meeting moved the $225,000 transfer to come before the borrowing article, changing the stabilization number. If the $225,000 is not voted on, then they will amend the next article's number on the floor, subtracting the $225,000. This shows the borrowing number significantly lower.

Article 17 asks for the transfer of $80,000 from free cash to replace a police cruiser.

Police Chief Rob Derksen's aim is to replace one vehicle every other year, meaning the oldest vehicle gets replaced about every 10 years. 

He stressed that if delayed this year, the town may have to double up in a future year to get back on schedule, and that paying later usually costs more. The article will ask for $80,000 from free cash, the vehicles used to be funded by the BHRD.

Lastly, the Highway Department is looking to replace a 2014 International dump truck that will be a total of $330,000 and will take two to three years to receive.

Money will be used from last year's approval of $250,000 from free cash for the replacement of a 2012 highway front-end loader that was underspent $49,261. Town meeting is being asked to approve  a transfer of $53,274.85 from free cash and the use of $227,464 from funds from the Sale of Town Real Estate to fund the balance.

Other free cash proposals include $1,200 to purchase software to support tracking and ongoing maintenance schedules of town-owned vehicles; $42,000 for the replacement of the Highway Department's storage shed roof, $200,000 to reduce the tax levy.

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