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Glens Falls City board approves equipment repairs and scrapping; engineers flag transformer oil degradation and long electrical upgrade timeline
Summary
The Glens Falls City Water and Sewer Board on Aug. 4 approved equipment repairs, scrapping and a vac-con purchase and received an update that oil testing on on-site transformers shows progressive internal degradation requiring close monitoring and likely future replacement.
The Glens Falls City Water and Sewer Board on Aug. 4 approved routine equipment actions for the water and sewer division and received a warned update on the condition of on-site electrical transformers.
On equipment, the board approved scrapping two aging air-compressor units used in the water treatment plant, approved warrant payments, and authorized repair or replacement work on several pieces of maintenance equipment. Staff described two large compressors as “the heart” of the treatment plant’s air system; those units reached the end of rated life and were authorized as surplus to be scrapped. The board approved a recommendation to repair a sewer vacuum excavator unit (a full vacuum system used for excavation and heavy pumping) and discussed trade‑in options for trailers and flushing-only units.
The board also approved a capital purchase described in the packet as a VACCON (vacuum/flush truck) at a recommended cost of $21,777.81. The motion carried by voice vote.
On repairs, staff said a lower motor on the city’s vac/con or related sewer machine required work; an outside machine shop quoted roughly $14,000 to rebuild the unit, compared with a $16,000 estimate from an original-source dealer for new motor components. Staff recommended buying the replacement rather than a longer repair timeline that could leave the city short on capacity. The board approved moving forward; staff will follow up on trade-in values and future budget planning.
Transformers and electrical upgrade: city staff and a contractor, Gus Minivert, reported that routine oil testing on the site transformers has found increasing dissolved-gas indicators. Minivert told the board the transformer winding insulation and internal sheathing show signs of degradation and that acetylene concentrations in oil have risen (from about 2 parts per million six months earlier to about 3 parts per million in the latest test). Minivert said the levels indicate progressive internal deterioration; while an immediate violent explosion is not expected, failure could cause a loss of power and require replacement. The board directed continued monitoring every six months and discussed the need to include transformer replacement in the planned electrical upgrade.
Board members discussed timeline and funding. Staff said the city has used American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for engineering work and expects the major electrical project — now estimated as an $18 million to $20 million undertaking in prior briefings — to be put on the capital schedule in 2026 when a large bond issue comes off. Board members asked staff to provide ballpark transformer replacement costs at the next check-in and to escalate the project schedule if testing shows worsening metrics.
The meeting also included routine approvals: minutes from the July 7 meeting and the warrant package were approved by voice vote. The board recessed into executive session at the meeting’s end for personnel discussion and set follow-up meetings for Aug. 18 and Sept. 2.
Ending: Staff will continue six-month oil testing on transformers, provide estimated transformer replacement costs at the next update and return with finalized bid specifications or procurement steps for the vac‑con and major electrical upgrade when available.
