Winter is upon us, bringing many much anticipated seasonal activities and trips to see loved ones. But along with the fun comes the danger of the ice storms, blizzards and slippery roads.
How often are you driving to work and you see the driver next to you bent over the wheel peering through the small circle they cleared of frost in the morning? On the other side there might be a driver whose wiper blades are so old or ice-crusted that they provide only one small streak of clear windshield for visibility.
Driving in this manner not only endangers your fellow drivers, but yourself and the passengers in your vehicle. Coping with winter’s visibility issues cannot be handled with a quick swipe of your credit card on the window or by turning the wiper blades on high.
“Seeing clearly is one of the most important aspects of safe driving, particularly in those difficult winter months,†said Jim Weiler, automotive visibility expert and owner of Everblades, an innovative custom windshield wiper blade company. “If you can’t see the road in front and around you, it doesn’t matter how good your tires or brakes are.â€
Start by taking enough time to clear away any frost, ice or snow from all your windows. Don’t forget, you need a 360-degree view from your vehicle so be sure to clear mirrors and any frost inside as well. But what else can drivers do to stay safe?
An easy solution to dangerous winter visibility issues that arise from snow and ice is Everblades heated windshield wiper blades. Everblades have been “trucker-tested†and proved in Sierra Nevada snowstorms, Great Plains blizzards and throughout the Midwest where 200 to 300 inches of snow fall annually.
“I swear by them. I wouldn’t want to drive through the mountains in the winter or in any blizzards without them on,†comments Marv F., a truck driver for Long Haul.
Everblades are a step up from regular wiper blades because of the specially designed squeegee and heating system. Working with the existing vehicle defroster system, the blades prevent snow and ice buildup with temperatures reaching 150 to 200 degrees and work even at 40 degrees below zero. These blades are controlled by an illuminated, dash-mounted toggle switch and hook up to the vehicle’s 12-volt electrical system. Visit www.everblades.com to learn more about this technology.
Everblades are used commercially by truck drivers, bus drivers and others as well as those commuting on the road. The blades work on most vehicles including those with curved and flat windshields. Installation takes about 30 minutes.
“We often get feedback from customers asking why these aren’t standard on all vehicles. Truckers brag about being able to stay on the road when others have to pull off to remove ice and snow buildup. Our main objective is safety, and Everblades help every driver get to their destination safely,†Weiler comments.
So as you put on your hat and gloves before leaving, spend the time to clear off your windows and keep them cleared off with heated wiper blades. Safe driving this winter starts with a clear vision of the road.
Everblades heated windshield wipers are guaranteed for a year but can last up to 5 to 6 years. For more information and to order Everblades heated windshield wipers visit www.everblades.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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