New City equipment helps with leaks, demolition

The City of Olney took delivery of two pieces of heavy equipment that will aid the Public Works Department in keeping water lines open and in tearing down about 50 houses that are slated for demolition in the coming year.

The City is taking on a major clean-up, with plans to demolish four derelict houses per month. City officials had expected to receive a clamp bucket in March but it unexpectedly showed up at the City yard in November, City Administrator Arpegea Pagsuberon said.

Ms. Pagsuberon scored a $24,546.06 grant from Nortex and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for a clamp bucket to assist city crews in picking up large debris and tearing down condemned structures Likewise, a hydraulic valve exerciser which has been on the Public Works Depart- ment’s wish list for a year, showed up the same week as the clamp bucket, she said.

The valve exerciser can help crews open and shut sticky valves during water emergencies. City crews also will use it to make sure that aging valves are able to open and close easily in cases of emergency, she said. “They used it at the Country Club and the Thomas Street leaks and it was a life saver,” Ms. Pagsuberon said. “The valve exerciser is going to be a game changer for the Water Distribution Team.”