HBA Newswatch
April 9, 2008
5 SIMPLE WAYS TO SAVE ENERGY AT HOME
By Joan Brunskill, Associated Press Writer
It's easier than you think to paint your house "green."
Simple changes can save resources and energy — and perhaps slow global warming. A growing demand for energy efficiency topped findings from the American Institute of Architects' home-design trend survey for the second quarter of 2007.
The group's chief economist, Kermit Baker, said the panel of 500 architecture firms found high demand for insulation panels, tankless water heaters, geothermal heating and cooling, and green flooring products such as bamboo and cork.
Warren, Vt.-based architect John Connell, a member of the institute's housing committee, said the No. 1 question he gets from confused homeowners is where to start.
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MORTGAGE BILLS PASS PA. HOUSE
By Mark Scolforo, Associated Press Writer
HARRISBURG (AP) -- The state House of Representatives took steps Tuesday to ease the financial crunch that has left thousands of families scrambling to avoid losing their homes.
The chamber approved five bills to address how mortgages are sold in the state. They would tighten oversight of real-estate appraisers and let banking regulators disclose discipline taken against mortgage brokers and bankers more quickly.
Information about delinquent loans would become more readily available to officials monitoring foreclosure trends and looking for areas that see a spike in foreclosures.
The legislation would ban prepayment penalties for loans of $197,000 or less, an amount that will be adjusted for inflation. The existing limit of $50,000 was established in 1974.
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BOARD ISSUES STATEMENT ON HANKIN COUNSEL DECISION
By DANIELLE LYNCH, Staff Writer
WALLACE — The board of supervisors made a statement Thursday reasserting its decision not to choose alternate counsel for issues related to the Hankin Group.
Back in January, Thomas “Buck” Riley of Riley, Riper, Hollin & Colagreco, the firm representing the Hankin Group, asked Wallace to choose an alternate law firm to represent the township in any future Hankin Group legal issues.
This recently became a concern for the Hankin Group when the township switched its counsel firm to Siana, Bellwoar & McAndrew at the beginning of the year. Siana, Bellwoar & McAndrew had represented neighboring West Vincent during litigations with the Hankin Group until a county judge ruled that an alternate counsel needed to step in.
The Hankin Group’s plans in Wallace consist of central, eastern and western phases on a 650-acre parcel between Creek and Little Conestoga roads. The developer received conditional-use approval for its plans in February 2003. And the central phase plans received final subdivision and land-development approval on Sept. 25, 2007.
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