The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1953-07-16
B.P.A. RECOMMENDS
Continued from Page /
10 Year Contract Offered


Germ would be for a 10-year period,
binding civil agreement, which ac-
cording to P.U.C.O. opinion, cannot
be changed prior to its expiration
date unless mutually agreed to be-
tween the parties involved.
"At the end of the 10 years in
the event that the village and the
power company could not agree as
to a new rate, the matter could then
be placed before the Utilities Com
mission" the report shaws.
Salvage value of the equipment
which is to be sold is estimated at
from $4,000 to $4,000, depending
on the offers made for the turbines,
boilers, etc, it was pointed out at
the meeting.
Theoretically, six men would be re-
leased from the plant payroll by con-
verting from generation of power to
its purchase, it was stated by Supt
James Draper. These include four
operators, one chief engineer and one
mechanic.
However, because of retirements
coming up this year, plus the fact
that one and one-half men will be
needed to man the new sewage dis
posal plant, there will be little dis
placement for those who wish to con-
tinue employment, according to the
superintendent.
Lines in Good Shape
Draper also reported to council that
the distribution system is in good
shape, and that earnings will be up
wards of $4,000 additional each
year on the electrical distribution end,
by buying current and selling it in
stead of generating it in the mu-
nicipal plant.
With more money coming in each
year, it will be possible to retire
outstanding mortgage revenue bonds
ahead of maturity schedule, under
which the final bonds do not fall due
until 1866.
At present $4,000 in bonds
are outstanding, plus $4,000 inter-
est, council was told. 1t was esti-
mated by spokesmen for the board
that the entire bonded indebtedness
could be retired in 10 years through
the savings effected in purchasing
the current. a
Following the removal of gener-
ating equipment the building and the
grounds could be used for other mu-
nicipal purposes, councilmen were
told.
Swimming Pool Location
One suggestion was that the quar-
ry now used for turbine water cool
ing serve as the locale for Bluffton's
new swimming pool. Present garage
and shop buildings Immediately ad-
jacent to the quarry could be con-
verted into bath house.
Garage space could be provided il
the main plant building for town
owned vehicles, inasmuch as there
| now is shortage of such room
The main generating room could bt
used for city functions, meetings, ETC.,
serving as an auditorium and hall.
Some thought also has been given
to the possibility of using the present
stack and converting one of the boil
ers as an incinerator for garbage
disposal, inasmuch as under new
state law to become effective in the
fall, the town can no longer feed
uncooked garbage to hogs.
Recommendation to purchase pow
er in the future, thereby abandoning
the present generating system, was
by a unanimous vote of the board off
public affairs.
Engineering Survey
Their action in turn was predicated
on a survey and report made by John
S. Sawvel, Findlay consultant, who
was employed by the board to make
a power supply study of the Bluffton
situation.
Sawvel was present at the meet
ing with council Monday night, to-
gether with Joel Kimmel and Carl
Lehman, board members, and Supt.
! Draper. Forrest Steinman, the other
board member, was out-of-town.
Recommendation of the board was
! that the council next Monday night
pass an ordinance authorizing the
board of public affairs to request
bids and enter into a 10-year con-
| tract to purchase the villages cleo
trio power requirements. Council al
so was asked to authorize the re-
| questing of bids and award to the
lowest bidder for furnishing the nee
essary sub-station equipment.