ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - As spring heats up, cooling start-up will begin, according to the Aberdeen Proving Ground Directorate of Public Works.

During the March 17 Community Action Council meeting, DPW's Todd Henricks said his organization is preparing to turn off the heat on most buildings on post.

He said there is typically a 30-45 day period between heat turn-off and cooling start-up for most buildings on post, excluding residential homes and other facilities on the exemptions list.

Cooling start-up goes into effect when APG has three consecutive days at 81 degrees or higher after 3 p.m.

Another sign that spring has sprung was Henricks announcement that grass mowing will begin on or about April 1.

Henricks was one of several directorate representatives who briefed a small audience of community members during the monthly CAC meeting, held at the APG North post chapel.

Syreeta Gross of the Garrison Transformation Office told attendees that recent changes to the Maryland Area Regional Commuter train schedule will offer personnel more commuting options. Gross also announced a post shuttle that will offer employees transportation from area train stations to the installation.

Anyone who is interested in taking the train and would need transportation from the Aberdeen and Edgewood train stations must complete a data form. Information provided will be used to establish routes and service needs. E-mail APGTransformationOfc@conus.army.mil or call 410-278-0915 to obtain a form. To view the MARC train schedule, visit http://mta.maryland.gov/services/marc/.

In response to last month's inquiry regarding window insulation in historic homes, Picerne Military Housing's Corinne Williams reported that residents can call the Neighborhood to have their windows assessed. The windows will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

Williams said all of the neighborhood path and playground lights are currently functioning, and seven building lights need to be installed in Bayside with a target completion date of March 25.

Williams encouraged the community to attend the Family Services' event which will focus on National Inhalants and Poison Awareness Week March 24 at 6 p.m. at the McGruff House.

Chaplain (Col.) Orman W. Boyd, installation and garrison chaplain, briefed attendees on the Comprehensive Fitness Training, an online assessment tool for Soldiers, Family members and Army civilians. The program is based on 30-plus years of scientific study and results and uses individual assessments, tailored virtual training and classroom instruction.

"This program trains Soldiers in more areas than just physical fitness, which we have traditionally done," he said. "This training is completely free, completely confidential, it is an excellent tool."

For more information, visit http://csf.army.mil/

Linda Edwards, Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation business manager, announced that the age at which children can use the post pools without parent supervision has been lowered to 12, provided that children pass a swim test, take a safety test and submit a pool rules agreement form signed by parent and child.

Edwards reminded attendees that pool rates are the same-active duty Soldiers and Family members are admitted free of charge.

CAC meetings give attendees an opportunity to voice their concerns about issues, offer solutions and get updates on happenings that affect the APG community.

"These meetings are important for improving our community," said military spouse Arlene Baptiste. "Lots of good information is provided; I try to go back and share this information with Family and friends who are unable to attend."

For those who are unable to attend but wish to provide feedback or comment, questions can be submitted via Twitter or phoned in to 410-278-8588. The CAC slides can be viewed online at http://www.slideshare.net/USAGAPG/march-apg-community-action-council. To view a recording, Comcast subscribers can tune into Channel 97 at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. this week.

Attendees were also encouraged to make use of the garrison's social media sites, like Flickr where event photos can be viewed or downloaded, Facebook where community members can link up and share information and opinions and chat or Twitter, which provides timely information to the community.

Joe Ferrare, representing the garrison public affairs office, urged community members to get up-to-the-minute information and interact on the APG Live blog, http://apg.armylive.dodlive.mil/.

The next Community Action Council meeting is set for April 21 at the APG South Chapel at 9:30 a.m. Everyone is invited to attend. The meeting will be broadcast live on Channel 97 and open for community members who would like to submit questions or comments via Twitter: http://twitter.com/USAGAPG.

For more information about upcoming events, visit www.apgmwr.com/ and www.facebook.com/APGMd, view Channel 97 and 21, read the APG News and Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation's In-Demand newsletter.