 |
|
|
Ruekert & Mielke, Inc. (R/M)
blends experience, vision and technology to
build lasting infrastructure strategies for local communities throughout Wisconsin and Illinois.
|
|
R/M Holiday Office Hours:
Week of 12/26
- Monday, December 26, 2016 - All offices closed to observe holiday
- Tuesday, December 27, 2016 - All offices closed to observe holiday
- Wednesday, December 28, 2016 - 8:00a.m. - 5:00p.m. (normal office hours)
- Thursday, December 29, 2016 - 8:00a.m. - 5:00p.m. (normal office hours)
- Friday, December 30, 2016 - All offices closed to observe holiday
|
|
December 27, 2016
Volume 3, Issue 24
In 2016, R/M provided the City of Oconomowoc with electrical engineering services to layout and design LED lighting systems to serve downtown City parking lots and South Church Street. In total, 42 energy efficient LED fixtures were implemented in a combination of street lights, parking lot lights, and lighted bollards. R/M created technical specifications, drawings, and details covering the electrical wiring systems to power and control the lighting systems, as well as covering the installation of the poles, pole bases, and light fixtures.
The LED fixtures selected by the City and implemented by this project were architectural fixtures, along with decorative poles, to match the desired aesthetics of the City's revitalized downtown area. By going with an LED based lighting system, the City will benefit through reduced energy consumption and low maintenance, long-life fixtures.
If you would like more information on how R/M can bring energy-efficient lighting to your community, please contact Pat Wohlers.
|
Significant Changes to Wisconsin's Prevailing Wage Laws in 2017
As of January 1, 2017 the state prevailing wage law (Wisconsin Statute 66.0903) will be repealed for local governmental units. For new public works projects starting on January 1, 2017, state prevailing wage law will only apply to state agency and state highway projects. For more information about how this change impacts existing and ongoing projects, or where to find prevailing wage rates for new state agency and state highway projects, please review information provided by the
Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.
|
Christmas Trees: Real vs. Artificial
Many life-cycle analysis (LCA) studies have been done to compare the environmental impacts of real and artificial Christmas trees. While the question of sustainability is not black and white, the general consensus is that farm-grown trees are more sustainable in the short-term while artificial trees might be better in the long-term (10 or so years). While there isn't a definitive answer, below is a summary of the pros and cons of each to help you make an informed decision for future holiday seasons:
|
|
REAL
|
ARTIFICIAL
|
|
PROS
|
- Reduces carbon in the atmosphere during growing season
- Can be recycled or composted
|
- Can be used for several years
- Cost- and time-efficient
|
|
CONS
|
- Can only be used for 1 year
- More cost- and time-intensive
|
- Manufactured with metal and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a petroleum-derived plastic
- Completely non-recyclable and non-biodegradable
- 85% are imported from China
|
If you choose an artificial tree, be sure to keep it for as many years as possible and if you prefer a farm-grown tree make sure to recycle or compost it when the holidays are over. However, if you want take holiday sustainability to the next level, consider a living, potted tree this Christmas. You can bring a living tree into the home for about 10 days and replant it after Christmas. If you lack the space for replanting on your property, ask your local parks department about donating it to the community!
|
|
Waukesha, WI Kenosha, WI Madison, WI Chicago, IL Global Water Center, WI Fox Valley, WI
www.ruekertmielke.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
