With the transfer we have been busy. There is more activity than usual going on. Thanks to all who are doing something to keep the progress going at InfoAge. If you are doing something, be sure to let me know so I can record it here. This is a record of our achievements. We have done so much work it is almost unbelievable. As we continue to grow, we face the new challenge of keeping the momentum of our regular activities while also tending to the responsibilities of the additional grounds and buildings.
Status of tactical goals we set last meeting:
1. Safety walk
Our safety walk around the new portion of the property to identify and fix any safety hazards.
We found an electrocution hazard in 9035: An open electrical 3-phase 220V panel with exposed wires and water on the floor. Multiple holes in the roof were allowing rainwater onto the panel. We labeled the panel with warning signs “Electrocution Hazard - Live High Voltage.” We put multiple labels on the entrance doors and put red 'DANGER' tape around the entrance stairs.
This panel feeds the controls of the 4,500 V switch building. So its loss would have unpredictable results. We have tarps ready to cover the roof before the next rain. We have a roofer scheduled to come by to give us an estimate to replace the water-damaged roof structure and to tear-off and replace the tar paper and shingles.
This was a very dangerous situation. Our power system is still exposed to failure. This is another example of how the DOA BRAC does not seem to care about human heath and safety. I called and informed them of this situation. All they could say was they were not aware of it and did not know it was dangerous.
For the past six months we have repeatedly requested permission from BRAC to enter the property prior to transfer to repair the holes in the roof of 9400. Rainwater was leaking on the electric panel. They refused, but they put a piece of sheet metal over the panel to deflect the rain. The exterior of the panel is a little rusty, but we hope there is no rust inside. The finger size holes in the roof have grown to fist size. The bid from the roofing contractor was only valid for 60 days. We are in the process of getting a new bid.
Thanks to Nels we have removed several dozen broken windows so no one gets cut on the glass. The windows will be repaired. We still have more safety survey work to do.
2. Security
We’ve begun to secure the new portion of the site and the new buildings. Thanks to Nels and Steve G. many of the door locks now work properly. The BRAC contractors installed mismatched lock hardware. The striker plates did not all match the locks. Steve G. is continuing to work on this.
3. Photo documentation
We are documenting the condition of the buildings at the time of transfer with photographs and video footage for future reference. We’ve started this process, but dealing with the safety issues discovered has been our priority. We will continue work on the photo documentation over the coming days.
4. Emergency stabilization of buildings
We have lots of roofs to replace. The work that needs to be done in that area is not glamorous and we will have to spend time and money on it that could be used elsewhere. But the first place to start to save a building is to repair the roof and deal with any water problems.
Thanks to Nels and helpers for dealing with the overgrown vegetation that could cause damage. We have begun removing vines growing on the buildings. We currently have three buildings done. We have begun cutting vines and bush off the Monmouth Blvd. security fence.
5. Electrical System
We now must inspect the electrical system and work with JCP&L to lower our electricity costs. We need to save electricity.
Rich B., Rich L. and Rich O. inspected the equipment in the switch room and select secondary transformer buildings. A note on a 220V panel stating that the panel was fed from 9035 lead us to the discovery of the hazardous situation previously noted. BRAC tells us no document exists documenting which secondary transformer feeds which building. This is incredible and I find it hard to believe their story. We have a work order request filed with JCP&L for a Layout Technician to survey the Diana/TIROS site as a first step in removing it from our main power grid. We are asking JCP&L to supply that area from their lines on the street.
During the week:
I attended two recent Wall Kiwanis meetings. I met the Wall Key Club president and the incoming Key Club Lieutenant Governor. The Wall Key club indicated that they would like to volunteer at InfoAge. In fact, the president of the Wall Key club along with a friend has already volunteered this past Sunday. Once the Kiwanis club has a copy of the Wall Stadium’s schedule for this year they will contact us to help with the 50/50 they have run at Wall Stadium
On Tuesday we had a second meeting with the Neptune HS principal, Mr. Allen. He sees that InfoAge can help his programs and wants to help us get his ROTC and other groups involved.
Ray C. and company were hard at work on Wednesday. Bob P. and staff made electrical repairs in 9093, the gate one guardhouse. A short circuit was repaired. The thirty amp fuses placed in 15 amp circuits were removed and replaced with the correct ones. We replaced the old water-stained light fixtures. We have also run wires to put motion detection in the hallway to control the lights as an energy saving measure.
Bob and his crew also attempted to provide Dan J's new computer shop with additional electrical outlets for the computer lab setup. Unfortunately, the old WW2-era circuits do not contain a ground wire, so we will have to leave the two prong outlets in place for now. The new breaker panel meets current codes and has lots of spare breakers. Bob and staff will run new circuits for Dan from that panel. I have directed Bob to check all three-prong outlets as he works on buildings to make sure the outlets are property grounded. If they are not he will replace them with two prong outlets to eliminate the use of the outlets by equipment that requires proper grounding.
Mike G. found us some used kitchen cabinets. There are more than we need to help the Boy Scout with his eagle project, but we will eventually need cabinets for more coffee and break rooms as we expand into new buildings.
We have submitted our National Register of Historic Places boundary Increase paperwork. I drove it to Trenton the other day to deal with this. If approved this will add buildings 9017, 9087 and the Marconi mast anchor now under our stewardship to our historic district. We are working with Brookdale College to help remove an area from the register to help reduce some of their potential site development costs. The package of narrative, historic photos, current photos, maps and diagrams grew to 50 pages. Thanks to Bob Craig we were able to get it all completed and submitted.
Dave Sica is adding my email posts to the InfoAge blog.
Pete R. had the woods zero-turn mower engine rebuilt.
During the weekend:
On Saturday, March 21st, The New Jersey Antique Radio Club held a radio repair clinic in the Telephone Exchange Building. It was open to the public and attendance was great. By all reports everyone left happy. This recurring event will be another great way to bring the community to InfoAge.
An order mix-up resulted in lots of pizza for everyone on Saturday and Sunday. Thanks!!
Rich O. had his scouts back here again for a hands-on sheet-rock repair clinic
Dan L. Evan K., and I measured the 9032 restrooms to provide architect, Rich Grasso, with the information he will need to specify improvements to add two more wheelchair-friendly restrooms to the WW2 administration complex.
On Sunday Bernie R., Bob B., Ray C., Edith C., Dan L., Terry L., Dan J., Evan K., Phil V., Steve G., Mike G., Nels W., Pete R., Neil L. and other were at InfoAge to greet visitors.
Marissa P, Ina V., and Lena V. were back again up in our archive cataloging the hundreds of drawings Larry saved of Camp Evans.
We had a scout pack visit on Sunday.
Jack Kick of the Vanguard II, SCORE and TIROS satellite teams visited again this Sunday with a stack of vintage satellite era photos and one of the satellite data recorders.
They are on loan to us to scan the photos and photograph the data unit.
Our last Wednesday meeting was a long one. We had many topics to cover. In attendance were Mike G., Dan J., Kyle B., Ray C., Steve G., Terry L, Dan L. Ron O., Neil N. and others.
Dan L. asks you remember the articles for the Newsletter are always due end-of-month.
The TIROS 50th anniversary is April 1st 2010 - next year. We need to get back to work on 9162. Bob P. and Steve G. checked out the power in 9162 for needed improvements.
Alpine Painting visited to create a bid to paint the TLM-18 Dish. The bid will be in the mail this week. Thanks to Harris Corp. we have $15,000 to help cover this expensive work. Does anyone know of another structure painting company to get a second bid?
The floor drain in the utility room may finally be unclogged. We used our shop vacuum and Steve G. tried with our power snake with the root cutter.
In a review of the National Historic Landmark theme studies our site could qualify for NHL status under three studies. Anyone want to start an application?
The “WW2 and the Homefront” study recommends Camp Evans as a potential National Historic Landmark.
The Marconi Belmar Station could fit under the “Travel and Communications” theme in the wireless area. The test of the regenerative circuit, Weagant's static elimination advances and the Navy WWI communications center make the site NHL significant.
Under the 'Man in Space' theme the TIROS ground control center, the TLM-18 antenna, the mini-track calibration center, satellite tracking starting with Sputnik, Explorer, Pioneer V and all US and Soviet launches should qualify under the 'satellite tracking facilities chapter.
This weekend we were too busy with guests and it was too wet to finish the scratch coat on 9006. Soon we will finish this task to earn the balance of the MCHC grant payment.
Upcoming events:
April 18th - Tutorial #3. Dr. Ray Chase presentation on the history of radar.
April 24th - 26th The Monmouth Boy scouts plan to hold their Camporee at InfoAge. Lots of scouts. Lot of opportunity to educate and inspire.
Reasons to tell persons why to donate to our effort NOW:
- Help preserve an incredibly historic site
- Honor WWII Signal Corps and Honor Front veterans
- Help education by inspiring kids to learn science
- Further the development of a NJ Shore tourist destination
- Create full and part-time employment
- Improve property values in the North Wall and Shark River area
- We are the White House recognized stewards of the Camp Evans Historic District and now it is under our protection for future generations
Please remind me of things of have overlooked in this email.
Thank you,
Fred
732 299-0894
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