For those who do not get to see the Somerset Newspaper:
http://www.dailyamerican.com/lifestyle/obituaries/da-ot-barry-sechler-lichty-72-of-friedens-indian-lake-20110627,0,5123338.story
http://www.dailyamerican.com/da-ot-lichty-remembered-as-a-true-public-servant-20110627,0,642695.story
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Barry Lichty
The arrangements are as follows:
Hauger-Zeigler Funeral Home in Somerset
Tuesday - viewing from 6-8 pm
Wednesday - viewing from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm
Thursday - service at the Unity UCC church on Route 160 at 11am, with a one hour viewing prior to the service.
Committal at Somerset Memorial Park at 1:30pm
Hauger-Zeigler Funeral Home in Somerset
Tuesday - viewing from 6-8 pm
Wednesday - viewing from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm
Thursday - service at the Unity UCC church on Route 160 at 11am, with a one hour viewing prior to the service.
Committal at Somerset Memorial Park at 1:30pm
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Sad news
Our beloved friend and former Mayor, Barry Lichty, passed away last evening.
Natalie and I are blessed that we did get to send a few minutes with him yesterday.
May Barry's memories be a blessing to all.
As they say in Yiddish, Barry was a true mench.
Natalie and I are blessed that we did get to send a few minutes with him yesterday.
May Barry's memories be a blessing to all.
As they say in Yiddish, Barry was a true mench.
Friday, June 24, 2011
the Dam(n) Valve
The saga goes on.....
As you recall, last Fall after playing with the upstream (underwater) main valve for too long, it was decided, by the valve company's representative, to remove the valve to inspect and reset it.
This sluice gate valve was leaking approximately 60 gallons per minute (GPM). Industry standards for a valve of this type and size is closer to one GPM.
The valve was removed and moved to the Borough building. A representative of the valve manufacturer (Rodney Hunt) subsequently inspected the valve and reset all adjustments.
It was 'suggested', by the valve manufacturer, that the problem was the flatness of the mounting flange on the dam headwall, 50' below normal lake level. This mounting flange is part of a thimble shaped piece that is bolted and grouted to the headwall. While removal of the thimble is not impossible, it is a major project, one best done above water. The suggested solution was to make a machined flange, flat to 0.010 inches, and bolt this between the valve and thimble. These are 30” diameter flanges.
We were unable to coordinate schedules to reinstall the valve prior to Winter setting in. The first attempt to install the machined flange, with an underwater setting epoxy, to the thimble, failed in May. The epoxy was to take up the imperfections in the thimble leaving the other surface of the machined flange to mate with the valve. The second suggestion was to use the machine flange in a sandwich with a thin gasket, supplied by the valve manufacturer, between the flange and the valve. A thin rubber gasket to be used between the flange and the thimble. All bolts then torqued to the same tightness with the rubber gasket doing what the epoxy was suppose to.
Finally on Thursday June 16th the dive company (Marion Hill), assisted by our engineering firm CME, Borough personnel, and the marina, put the valve into the water, transported it to the dam and reinstalled it under 50' of water utilizing the second method. The valve manufacturer was not present, their representative, who actually sold the valve, Learco, was on site.
Friday, June 17th, the divers torqued the bolts holding the valve in place and started testing. Initially when the downstream valve was opened and the pipe drained the leakage was about ½ GPM. The gate was raised a few inches and lowered, the leakage upped to about 2 GPM. The gate was fully cycled several times and when closed was leaking approximately 28-30 GPM. Neither the valve manufacturer nor their representative were on site. As it was the end of the day and the valve manufacturer was not there to give advise, work was stopped and the divers left.
After several days the flow had dropped to 12 GPM.
There are discussions ongoing between all parties involved. Some of the questions being explored are:
-does Learco or Rodney Hunt have any further suggestions?
-should the down force closing the valve be increased to be sure the valve is properly seated?
-further adjusting the valve wedges?
-see if closing the upstream valve without flow going through it would allow it to seat tighter?
-approach the DEP with what we have?
To be continued.............
As you recall, last Fall after playing with the upstream (underwater) main valve for too long, it was decided, by the valve company's representative, to remove the valve to inspect and reset it.
This sluice gate valve was leaking approximately 60 gallons per minute (GPM). Industry standards for a valve of this type and size is closer to one GPM.
The valve was removed and moved to the Borough building. A representative of the valve manufacturer (Rodney Hunt) subsequently inspected the valve and reset all adjustments.
It was 'suggested', by the valve manufacturer, that the problem was the flatness of the mounting flange on the dam headwall, 50' below normal lake level. This mounting flange is part of a thimble shaped piece that is bolted and grouted to the headwall. While removal of the thimble is not impossible, it is a major project, one best done above water. The suggested solution was to make a machined flange, flat to 0.010 inches, and bolt this between the valve and thimble. These are 30” diameter flanges.
We were unable to coordinate schedules to reinstall the valve prior to Winter setting in. The first attempt to install the machined flange, with an underwater setting epoxy, to the thimble, failed in May. The epoxy was to take up the imperfections in the thimble leaving the other surface of the machined flange to mate with the valve. The second suggestion was to use the machine flange in a sandwich with a thin gasket, supplied by the valve manufacturer, between the flange and the valve. A thin rubber gasket to be used between the flange and the thimble. All bolts then torqued to the same tightness with the rubber gasket doing what the epoxy was suppose to.
Finally on Thursday June 16th the dive company (Marion Hill), assisted by our engineering firm CME, Borough personnel, and the marina, put the valve into the water, transported it to the dam and reinstalled it under 50' of water utilizing the second method. The valve manufacturer was not present, their representative, who actually sold the valve, Learco, was on site.
Friday, June 17th, the divers torqued the bolts holding the valve in place and started testing. Initially when the downstream valve was opened and the pipe drained the leakage was about ½ GPM. The gate was raised a few inches and lowered, the leakage upped to about 2 GPM. The gate was fully cycled several times and when closed was leaking approximately 28-30 GPM. Neither the valve manufacturer nor their representative were on site. As it was the end of the day and the valve manufacturer was not there to give advise, work was stopped and the divers left.
After several days the flow had dropped to 12 GPM.
There are discussions ongoing between all parties involved. Some of the questions being explored are:
-does Learco or Rodney Hunt have any further suggestions?
-should the down force closing the valve be increased to be sure the valve is properly seated?
-further adjusting the valve wedges?
-see if closing the upstream valve without flow going through it would allow it to seat tighter?
-approach the DEP with what we have?
To be continued.............
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Dodging a bullet...
Last time I opined that Spring had sprung, the Primary election was civil, most of the law suites were behind us, and I hoped that this meant a turn around in the Borough's fortunes.
Well I almost spoke too soon. Last week our fuel supplier inadvertently delivered gasoline to our diesel tank. This could have been major. Gasoline can destroy a diesel engine very quickly. Fortunately it was caught very quickly and all diesel equipment was shut down. Each affected piece of equipment; a backhoe, a road grader, and two trucks; were inspected for engine damage and had their fuel systems cleaned. Our diesel tank was drained and refilled with fresh diesel fuel.
We were lucky, I'm sure that our supplier will reimburse us our costs, and we were able to get by a few days without having to borrow or rent replacement equipment.
I would be remiss in not mentioning that as soon as Mr. St. Clair learned of the problem he offered the Borough use of his backhoe and truck, thank you Terry.
I still have my fingers crossed.
Well I almost spoke too soon. Last week our fuel supplier inadvertently delivered gasoline to our diesel tank. This could have been major. Gasoline can destroy a diesel engine very quickly. Fortunately it was caught very quickly and all diesel equipment was shut down. Each affected piece of equipment; a backhoe, a road grader, and two trucks; were inspected for engine damage and had their fuel systems cleaned. Our diesel tank was drained and refilled with fresh diesel fuel.
We were lucky, I'm sure that our supplier will reimburse us our costs, and we were able to get by a few days without having to borrow or rent replacement equipment.
I would be remiss in not mentioning that as soon as Mr. St. Clair learned of the problem he offered the Borough use of his backhoe and truck, thank you Terry.
I still have my fingers crossed.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Ah.....Spring
Well May has come and gone.
Spring has finally arrived. Everything is green. No one any longer wonders why we live were we live. It is simply gorgeous at the Lake. We drive (too) often to Johnstown and/or Windber. We use Ridge Road to avoid many of the coal trucks. It is too beautiful along the ridge. The weather was beautiful for the Memorial Day Weekend, many were out on the lake for the first time this season. We waited until the weekenders left and enjoyed a wonderful evening cruise. We did not realize how much we missed the boat.
Lets all have a wonderful and safe boating season.
The Primary Election is also behind us. The voters have spoken. Let us hope that civility continues through the fall election and we enter 2012 with new a Borough Council united in effort and spirit. Most of the law suits are behind us, almost all of the results were favorable. I know I'm hoping that we can be as peaceful at Council as an evening boat ride can be on the lake.
Now if we could just do something about those coal trucks................
Spring has finally arrived. Everything is green. No one any longer wonders why we live were we live. It is simply gorgeous at the Lake. We drive (too) often to Johnstown and/or Windber. We use Ridge Road to avoid many of the coal trucks. It is too beautiful along the ridge. The weather was beautiful for the Memorial Day Weekend, many were out on the lake for the first time this season. We waited until the weekenders left and enjoyed a wonderful evening cruise. We did not realize how much we missed the boat.
Lets all have a wonderful and safe boating season.
The Primary Election is also behind us. The voters have spoken. Let us hope that civility continues through the fall election and we enter 2012 with new a Borough Council united in effort and spirit. Most of the law suits are behind us, almost all of the results were favorable. I know I'm hoping that we can be as peaceful at Council as an evening boat ride can be on the lake.
Now if we could just do something about those coal trucks................
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