Story posted Thursday, November 26, 2009
First Transformer Move Free
City Waits On ComEd To Provide Outage History Before Moving Others
One transformer will be moved while the city of Rolling Meadows waits on five others in an effort to minimize power issues caused by flooding.
Public Works Director Fred Vogt told aldermen on Tuesday, Nov. 17 that the city reached a resolution for a transformer in the Waverly Park area.
"ComEd has agreed to replace this transformer and elevate it two or three feet over the high water line," Vogt said. The project is planned for the spring of 2010 and will come at no cost to the city.
The city has also been investigating power outages near Barker Lake. "We're still waiting for ComEd to get us a more in depth analysis," Vogt said. Although there have been several power outages in the area, it appears only two of them were caused by flooding, one in 1997 and one in 2008.
Vogt explained ComEd offered options for moving the transformers, but none of them were appealing. The city could raise them a few feet but it would cost at least $20,000 and create land grades into residents' yards. Alternatively, the city could move the transformers to front yards at a cost of about $50,000 per transformer plus easement acquisitions.
Changing to overhead lines could reduce the risk of flood-related power outages, but increase the risk of outages caused by wind, storms, or tree branches. Finally, the city could move the transformers into the residents' yards at a cost of about $20,000 per unit.
"At this point, we feel that all of these potential costs are not worth the benefits," Vogt said. He said the city could survey the residents to see how they feel about the options.
Ald. John D'Astice (6th) said he spoke to one 40-year resident who confirmed water affected the transformer just twice during his time in the city. "I think the best thing we can do is just level them off and leave them at their original height," he said.
Mayor Kenneth Nelson agreed the city should wait for a complete outage history from the area before making a final decision.
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