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By Jessica Bruni, Sentinel Reporter, May 7, 2007

Last updated: Monday, May 7, 2007 10:51 AM EDT

Things were set up perfectly for a picnic at the Macaluso home in Carlisle. There were smiling faces, sunny skies, plenty of good eats ... and a strange machine resembling a NASA leftover on the otherwise picturesque green lawn.

“I think I’m going to add arms to it and really make it look like a robot,” Russ Macaluso quipped.

Not quite.

Strange as it may look, the thing in question is an air-quality monitor.

On Sunday, the Clean Air Board of Central Pennsylvania — to which Russ Macaluso and his wife, Jean, both belong — celebrated its installation by the state Department of Environmental Protection with a “Flip the Switch” party at the Macaluso home.

Although a similar monitor is set up on Route 34 in North Middleton, the board hopes the additional monitor, which actually won’t be turned on until Tuesday, will allow for more specific analysis of Carlisle area air quality, especially the fine particulate generated by local diesel fuel use.

With its location near Interstate 81, the turnpike and several warehouses, the Macalusos decided some time ago to volunteer their property to house the monitor.

No lawn decoration

While Jean Macaluso admitted it isn’t the most attractive addition to the lawn, she feels the information the monitor will provide to the public is worth it.

“We thought it was a great idea,” she said. “We knew what it was going to look like.”

Her husband, Russ, an eye, ear and throat doctor, agrees.

“We were very happy we could contribute this way,” he said.

Dean VanOrden, assistant director for the Bureau of Air Quality at the DEP, was one of dozens of people who showed up for the picnic-like atmosphere at the Macaluso home.

VanOrden said the air sampling device, which will be monitored for a year, will collect size-selected particulate matter on filters for later weighing or analysis. The filters, he said, will be changed every day or every three days and the results eventually will be posted on the DEP Web site.

What was most exciting to VanOden was that DEP staff would be able to compare the readings to the monitor in North Middleton Township and examine the variables between the two.

“We think this is an excellent, excellent opportunity,” he said.

Carlisle councilwoman Linda Cecconello also was in the crowd with fellow politician — and county commissioner— Rick Rovegno. Cecconello said she attended the event to show her support for the CAB efforts and vowed to find ways to stop trucks from using Carlisle as a throughway to other highways.

“There is really no reason for those trucks to come through downtown Carlisle,” she said.

Based on her conversations with Jesse Keen, vice president of Keen Transport Inc . and a staunch support of CAB and its anti-idling efforts, Cecconello said she planned a talking points strategy regarding truck traffic at Thursday’s council meeting.

“I have grandchildren that live here and I’ve suffered problems with my sinuses and asthmas,” she said. “I’d really like to do something to clean up our environment.”

CABBIE awards

CAB also look the opportunity to present its CABBIE awards. The CABBIEs, which stand for Clean Air Board Bold Innovators for the Environment, were given in recognition of those who used their leadership to address air quality issues in the community. Honored were Greg Ellerman, Jensen Gelfond, the Macalusos, Keen, Philip Carey, David Masland and Jim and Marion Johnston.

After the awards of oak tree saplings were given out, the board announced it would be collecting donations to help one of its members, the Unitarian Universalists of the Cumberland Valley, purchase a portable, real-time air quality monitor that can be moved to different spots around the area.

CAB also is taking votes to name the air-quality monitor on the Macaluso property. Some of the suggestions so far are R2D2, Gasp and Monica.