Leaving Rensselaer

 Power plant pictures

Workers removing engines from the power plant took the weekend off but were busy again on Tuesday. Below rails are being positioned to allow the big engine inside to be pulled out.

I missed the removal of the engine from the building. Late on Tuesday the engine was sitting on the street outside the building.

Peeking though the window, one could see where the engine had been.

On Wednesday morning the crane was lifting one end of the engine so blocks of wood could be placed beneath it.

The crane then manuevered to position itself at the other end of the engine. I was surprised to see that all the wheels on the crane could turn, which made turning around easier.

Then the crane lifted one end onto the trailer. This took a while because the blocks at the other end had not raised that end enough and the workers had to make adjustments.  (Note the branches on the ground. The crane knocked off the branches overhanging the street when it was repositioned.)

Below one end of the engine is on the truck.

Not too long after the other end was also on the truck.

City Council meeting

At its Monday meeting the City Council approved an electric tracker for the second quarter of $1.95 per thousand kilowatt hours. It also approved the hiring of four or five part-time seasonal workers for the Street Department and two for the Gas Department. However there was concern on the part of the departments that they might not be able to find applicants because the wage is $10.14 per hour. After discussion, the Mayor appointed a committee to consider the issue and perhaps draft an amendment to the salary ordinance. Those part-time seasonal employees that operate equipment must be 18 years old or older. Those that work at the pool only need to be 16 years old. 

The Council approved a contractor contract for electrical engineering services. Two public-relations requests were approved, one for up to $500 for donuts and a lunch for those working on clean-up week and a second for $3600 for the Gas Department Open House on April 29th. The Gas Department is seeking a grant for gas-line public awareness and may be able to pay back the City. There will be no vendors at the Open House this year. 

The Mayor announced that the City has been awarded a planning grant that KIRPC will administer. Work on the sewer project will begin within 30 days. The City Planning office wants to replace all the older wreaths with new decorations. The Council approved $3305 pending approval of the other half of the cost from the Tourism Commission. The fire station has converted to LED lighting. The doors have been installed in the recently constructed warehouse for the Electric Department.  The Council gave the Electric Department permission to seek quotes for a 22-year-old forklift that is no longer working.

(There were no public comments. Some examples of funny comments at City Council meetings elsewhere in the US are here, here, and here.)

Odds and ends

Spring is on the way. Here is a picture of my rhubarb coming up.

(Trust me. There is some rhubarb under the snow.)

Walk with a Doc is back this spring, running from Tuesday, April 12 to May 17. The event begins with a short presentation from a medical professional and then a mile-long walk around the perimeter of Weston Cemetery. Attendees gather at the Brookside Park shelter closest to the Cemetery and the event begins at 12:00 with registration beginning at 11:45.

Last July a new restaurant opened in Monon. Called the Junction House, it is located on the highway just south of the railroad crossing. It may be the only restaurant in the area serving Cajun food. It takes its name from a hotel that was once across the street that was destroyed long ago in a train derailment.

The primary election is May 3. Here is a list of candidates. Probably the most interesting race for Rensselaer residents is for State Representative where three people are running on the Republican ballot.

Another small college closing.