The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1942-02-05
Municipal Light Plant
To Add Generator
Continued from page II
total of $4,000, giving $4,000 bal
ance for operating requirements.

start Preparations at Ohce
Preparations for installing the
new unit will be started at once, it
was stated by Swisher who will
leave as soon as possible for
Colorado to supervise loading of the
turbine for shipment here.
The turbine, a 1924 model was
formerly used in the operation of a
coal mine of the Alamo Coal com
pany. The mine is no longer run
ming and its equipment is being dis
mantled. Purchase of the turbine is
from Wins Weaver & Co., of De-
troit, its present owners.
Although not in operation since
1885, it is in excellent condition, the
council was Informed by Swisher who
was in Colorado last week to inspect
the equipment. The high altitude
has kept it free from rust and rep
resentatives of the Westinghouse
company, its manufacturers, also
have favorably reported on it,
Swisher said.
Similar to Present Unit
Except for the larger size, it IS
identical with the 750 XIV turbine
unit, a 1926 model now in operation
at the plant here, the plant superin-
tendent said. A condenser to COM
plete the turbine generating unit
will be supplied by the Wins
Weaver company, probably from
Indiana, it was stated.
The Skinner steam unit, sold to
the Pet Milk interests is to be re-
moved from the plant, probably in
May. Whether the remaining Skin
ner unit will be disposed of has not
been definitely decided by the board
of public affairs.
Members of the board of public
affairs all of whom were present at
the meeting were A. C. Burcky,
| Oswin and Wm. 3. Luginbuhl to-
gether with Swisher, Forrest Mum
ma, superintendent Of outside main
tenance and Hiram Wenger, assist
ant plant superintendent.
Hear Standby Proposal
Before authorizing the purchase of
an additional turbine at the plant,
the council heard a proposal from
the Central Ohio Light & Power
company for standby arrangement
between their plant, the Woodcock
Generating station located here and
the municipal plant.
Donavin Conrad of this place, en-
ployed in the utility's Findlay office
presented the proposal which based
the rate of IL cents per kilowatt
hour subject to graduated adjust
ment based on coal costs.
Under this arrangement the town
would guarantee the utility an an
nual minimum service charge of
$4,000 emitting the village to 1885,
800 kilowatt hours during the twelve
months subject to coal cost adjust
| ments.
The town also would be required
to construct a sub-station equipped
with circuit breaker and synchroniz-
er at a cost estimated between
$500 and $500.
The proposal for a term of one
to three years would also give the
utility permission to purchase cur
rent on the same basis from the
town when such current might be
available over the regular needs.
No Action by Council
No action was taken on the stand
by proposal by the council whicl
proceeded with legislation clearin,
the way for purchase of the turbine
Need of greater power facilitie
to meet Buttons growing deman
for electric current has been rapid
coming TO mead and following IN
spection of the turbine last week tn
board of public affairs took a
option on the equipment unit
February Is.
While sthe unit now in operatio
here is ample to meet all presen
requirements, there is not sufficien
equipment in reserve to continue TIL
plants present current output j
event of an emergency, should tn
plants one turbine be forced to shu
down.
The present turbine was installe
in the plant here in the fall of 1914
and has been + in operation almos
continuously since that time.