The City of Carmi moved to authorize Cooper Machinery Services to begin tearing down Engine #11 to further determine parts and labor needed to complete repairs at last night’s Council Meeting. While we didn’t have a reporter on scene, we’ve benefitted from transparency of members to provide us with details and written documents to help fill you in.
The cost of the work is expected to be around $43,000, paid for through monies obtained through an insurance settlement. Without moving forward on the project, David Coston, the city’s Electrical Engineer says Carmi would be in danger of losing $1.5 million in future credits over the remaining life of the IMEA contract. In his nearly 4 ½ page report to the council, Coston also says the city needs to replace it’s 27 year old bucket truck. He framed it as of extreme importance, saying that without it, linemen wouldn’t be able to carry out day to day maintenance. Also of strategic importance, Coston notes the importance of upgrading the power plant engine cooling system. Doing so would improve the reliability, efficiency and security for most of the generators in the plant. There are multiple other needs in the electric department.
- An additional digger truck to service powerlines
- Authorization to replace old power poles in key feeders around town.
- Extension of the 13.2kv “loop” to allow residents and businesses in the southwest part of the City to be fed from another direction during situations of powerline incidents or scheduled maintenance.
- Installing an additional circuit breaker in the Bradshaw Substation to complete the “hot spare” tansformer upgrade.
- Replacement of aging customer meters with new SMART meters which should pay for themselves in a very short period due to increased accuracy of measurement, account billing and system efficeiency improvements.
Coston ended his report by urging council to begin plans now for next year’s budget as well as a 5 and 10 year plan to address those needs.
Amy McCarty from the University of Illinois Extension delivered baskets of produce from the 4H Gift Garden to council members and also gave members an update on progress there.
Council voted to close down Cherry Street from Walnut to Main Cross on October 31st for the Trunk or Treat event planned for the evening. The closure we believe will last from around 4:30pm to 8:30pm. Individuals and businesses interested in participating in the Trunk or Treat can do so by calling Holly Healy of the City or Shana Northcott of the Chamber of Commerce. Healy can be reached at 382-8118. Northcott is available at 382-7606.
Dustin Buttry was awarded the high bid for excess city equipment in the form of the Case IH 100 tractor.
Also, Mayor Jeff Pollard in his report says the lottery for campsites at Burrell Park for the Halloween event scheduled for October 18thand 19th is underway. He says those interested in a spot should contact City Clerk Cynthia Attebbery at 618-384-2001 or email[email protected]. On Friday, the 18th, the city plans to show a movie and the public will be invited. The Learning Trail will be dedicated at Burrell Park on October 18th at 10:30am.
