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Painesville Electric reports maintenance, distribution projects and AMI and transformer work
Summary
Department leaders updated council on plant testing, generator maintenance, distribution line repairs, a Richmond Road substation breaker replacement plan, vehicle procurements and AMI close‑out work; staff said some distribution faults will require wire replacement and possible bidding for contractor work.
Painesville Electric staff gave a departmental update to council on May 19 detailing recent plant tests, maintenance actions, distribution repairs and ongoing projects.
Highlights reported by staff: The power plant operated a successful generator test, followed by boiler cleaning and visual turbine inspections; staff reported a small leak discovered and scheduled contractor repairs. Distribution staff reported locating a fault between the plant and a downstream site and said they plan to replace all three legs of that line to be safe; if estimated costs exceed competitive thresholds the work will be bid.
Substation and equipment work: The Richmond Road substation will receive new breakers; staff said the breakers will be purchased this year with installation slated for next year. The department called out ongoing AMI (advanced metering infrastructure) work that staff expects to close out this year.
Customer projects and service work: Staff said work related to the ODOT State Route 20 project is near completion (pole relocations and a punch list remain), and described coordination that avoided losing a customer service to a utility take. Willow Bend and school‑related service upgrades were detailed, including temporary transformer provision and orders for permanent equipment.
Fleet and procurement: Council was told two new utility vehicles were bid and awarded; the apparent low bidder can deliver by June 30. Staff also said the department will price out external contractors to pull new wire for a long‑standing fault and has budgeted funds in the current year for the work.
Staffing and operations: The electric operations update noted staffing levels (operators, contract workers and project coordinators) and that distribution staff are on call 24/7. Staff thanked council for prior support enabling upcoming purchases and repairs.
Next steps: Department managers will obtain quotes or proceed to bid as required, schedule breaker installation, finish AMI closeout tasks and keep council informed on material orders and large project timelines.
