Sweeping News.

The Public Works committee met for their regular meeting Tuesday evening in City Hall. The agenda included a discussion on the Street Department’s street sweeper. Street Commissioner Tom Shelley reported that the street sweeper is currently not running and that it needs a new rear engine that drives the sweeper function. Shelley reported that currently the crew from the Street Department is sweeping and picking up trash on the square and two blocks off every morning since the sweeper stopped running.

"We will continue," said Shelley, "until the sweeper is fixed. After the sweeper is fixed, we would be smart to baby the sweeper until we trade it off."

Shelley said that he ordered a new rear engine from American Equipment for $5163.24 that should arrive in seven to ten days. He stated that American Equipment offered the better price because they would pay the freight to sent the old engine back.

Shelley explained that he had hopes of the sweeper lasting until the fiscal year 2007 budget.

"I’ll have to move it up a year," said Shelley. "On a happy note, when we do trade it in, we can verify the new engine and hours of operation."

The committee agreed the Shelley made the best decision concerning the engine and is leaving the use of the sweeper to Shelley’s discretion.

Committee Chairman Bill Johnson said he will advise Council on the current conditions of the sweeper and operating hours at the next Council meeting.

Shelley also reported that mosquito spraying will begin next week, Monday through Friday evenings, weather permitting. He said that in the past if it rains on a particular evening, they spray that area that evening the following week.

"It’s really hard," said Shelley, "to get two areas in one evening. We spray four times a year, always before big holidays."

A farmer I used ta work for while I was in high school always told me that if ya see turtles on the road it means it’s gonna rain. Said they could sense the comin’ weather and headed for higher ground. I never was convinced completely, but I always try to remember when I see the creatures ploddin’ on the roadways.

I always look in the rearview mirror when I pass over turtles with the car. Some pull their head in and just wait, other just keep wigglin’ along like nothin’ happened. I can’t imagine what a turtle must be thinkin’ when vehicle whizzes over ‘em. Maybe they figure it was one a those quick thunder storms movin’ through, or a giant crash of thunder. You’d think the hot pavement would stick to their little feet as long as they take ta get on the other side. Maybe they’re just hopin’ for rain.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Metcalf Auto Supply

Click & Clack
TALK CARS

by Tom & Ray Magliozzi

Dear Tom and Ray:

I own a 2003 Hyundai Sonata LX. It comes with a 100,000 mile or 10-year warranty on the powertrain. My question is, what makes up a powertrain? I have received various answers to this question, but I am confused. Can you two mavens give me an answer? — Sid

RAY: Sure, Sid. We’d be happy to confuse you some more. The problem is that "powertrain" (or "drivetrain," as it’s sometimes called) is not a precise term. But it generally refers to those parts of the car that are crucial in delivering power to the wheels.

TOM: That would include the engine, the transmission, the differential and the axles.

RAY: It would not, for example, include the rearview mirror, the air conditioner or the seats.

TOM: But a general definition won’t do you much good. What you need is Hyundai’s definition. You should be able to find it in the warranty statement that came with your new car. If not, you can ask the dealer for a copy.

RAY: Different manufacturers may define powertrain differently when it comes to warranty coverage. For instance, one might cover the cylinder heads but not the electrical parts of the engine, like the alternator or computer. It might include the transmission, but most exclude the clutch, since that’s a "wear" item that the driver "wears out."

TOM: So, even though you have an excellent warranty on this car, including five-year/60,000 mile bumper-to-bumper coverage before the powertrain-only warranty even takes over, you need to read the fine print.