HomeMy WebLinkAboutReport of the Engineer Jan 1979VILLAGE OF CAYUGA HEIGHTS
REPORT OF ENGINEER - January 1979
SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT
A leak In the new plastic outfall pipe reappeared. Because of the low level of the
water in the lake, we were able to excavate and pump dry the area around the pipe
and tighten the repair sleeve which had come loose because of the compression of
the thick rubber gasketing using the Village work force. Tightening of the sleeve
which was around the pipe at the point of the leak stopped the leak. it was
noticed that the pipe did not have a constant downward slope from the chamber at
the shore of the lake toward the center of the lake where the outfall pipe dis-
charges. Our contractor, Stewart and Bennett, -was called in to examine the situ-
ation and our contract was examined to see if there was any liability on the part
of the contractor for this misalignment of pipe. Our engineers, Teetor and Dobbins
were called for their opinion as to what caused this problem In the grade of the
outfall pipe and as to whether it would in any way affect the operation of the
plant. It was determined that there was no liability on the part of the contractor,
from what is known at this time, and it was the opinion of the engineers that there
would be no noticeable effect on the operation of the plant. It was recommended
that after the sleeve was re- examined to make sure it was tight, the area be back-
filled with sand, to allow future excavation if necessary, and then the sand
covered with rough gravel to prevent scouring and possible exposure of the pipe
through wave action.
A very strange occurrence happened at the Sewage Treatment Plant two weeks ago. An
unknown person gained access to the plant area by crawling under our heavy fence
and for three nights dug in the rough rock material that makes the bed of our
trickling filter tanks. There seems to be no explanation for what the person was
trying to do. The person was apprehended by one of the plant operators, and he
immediately left the plant without saying a word. The matter was turned over to
the Police Department for Investigation.
HOLIDAYS
A question has been raised by the men in the Public Works Department as to the
exact number of holidays and which holidays are recognized by the Village. There
is a slight confusion as to the wording in the Personnel Handbook. At one time,
It was determined that rather than have two holidays in February a holiday would
be given at another time of year or that it could be a floating holiday. Also, I
believe there is a statement that says that the refuse collection will follow the
same holidays as the City of Ithaca. I believe the City of Ithaca has ten holidays
while the Village has nine listed holidays. It is recommended that a small commit-
tee be appointed to examine the wording, make a determination on holidays, and
present their recommendations to the Board at the next meeting.
VACATION TIME
it has been brought to the Engineer's attention that the wording in the Personnel
Handbook states that after ten years of service the employee is entitled to three
weeks vacation. The Interpretation of this wording is that as soon as ten years
of service has been completed, even though it may occur in the middle of a fiscal
year, at that time the employee is entitled to three weeks vacation for that
current fiscal year. It is requested that the same committee appointed to look
into the holiday question should also look into this question and make their recom-
mendations to the Board at the next Board meeting.
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SNOW REMOVAL
Two heavy snow stur-ras occurring on the weekends have caused considerable overtime,
but a good job was done in the removal of the snow and sanding on hills and Inter-
sections. There was some delay in the removal of snow from the sidewalks because
of the many limbs that hung very low with heavy snow and because the use of the
snowplow would have broken these limbs.
REPORT OF ZONING OFFICER - January 1979
During the past month there was one zoning permit Issued for the conversion of the
hardware store at the Village Green Into offices for the Agriculture Department
which had been located in another section of the Village Green complex. The esti-
mated cost was $9,000. The Village Building and Fire Inspector was notified of
this permit and examined the plans and the site of the work before the permit was
approved.