Hydraulic canal project completed in Herkimer

Herkimer, N.Y. —

Anthony Carlisto, an engineer with Ward Associates, announced at Monday’s Herkimer Village Board of Trustees meeting the hydraulic canal project is finished — and $6,000 under budget.
“It’s been a long haul,” he said.
Trustee Katie Nichols said she is concerned vehicles parking on the grass in the north end of the street will cause problems once snow begins to fall.
There will probably not be room to get a plow through the area, she said.
The board considered putting “No Parking” signs in the area.
Carlisto also updated the board on construction of the port projects, for which he is now “personally responsible.” “We’re going through a transition,” he said
Despite earlier delays, progress on the project has accelerated, he said, crediting favorable weather and the willingness of the construction team.
“I just want to make sure you know we’re doing a good job,” said Carlisto.
Also at Monday’s meeting:
•The board discussed any possible action they could take regarding an ongoing code violation on West Smith Street. The property contains asbestos, they said, and is in need of abatement.
However, said Trustee Mark Netti, due to the current condition of the property, “they’re not going to allow anybody to go in there.”
Village Attorney Nicholas Macri advised the board to send a certified letter to the owner stating the structure is unsafe and must be taken down.
If no action is taken, he said, the board can pursue it with the Supreme Court.
•Mayor Mark Ainsworth proposed the possibility of hiring a new insurance broker. “With the costs that are affecting this village going forward next year, we have to be really aggressive,” he said.
The board suggested contacting the current broker to let them know they will be soliciting a new proposal from them, as well as proposals from other brokers.
The contracts for all village employees will be re-negotiated in June, Ainsworth said.
“They’re going to have to play ball or go home,” he said.
•A public hearing on possible zoning changes was scheduled for 7:05 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 19, in the Herkimer Village Hall meeting room.

http://www.herkimertelegram.com/mobiletopstories/x1626871099/Hydraulic-canal-project-completed-in-Herkimer

Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks Hit the Road

Hydraulic hybrid technology is moving ahead on a series of fronts, building on its commercial successes with garbage trucks and parcel delivery vehicles.

Now the focus is on proving actual day-to-day performance in these heavier vehicles, where the high power density of fluid power technology shines the best, while laying the groundwork to move the technology into lighter vehicles.

Saving fuel is the obvious benefit of using hydraulic hybrid systems in refuse trucks, along with fewer brake repairs due to regenerating braking energy, but now productivity gains are starting to take the leading position in the value proposition.

This year, the big news for hydraulic hybrid technology came when Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lisa Jackson and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne announced a cooperative agreement to develop and adapt the technology for the light-duty auto market. Using the EPA's own patented technology, the partnership's goal is to move the technology from the lab to the street and design a Chrysler minivan as a demonstration vehicle.
Expectations are that hydraulic hybrid technology can increase fuel efficiency 30-35 percent overall and up to 60 percent in city driving, and reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent.
The EPA is a leader when it comes to developing hydraulic hybrid technologies, specifically series hydraulic hybrid systems. The EPA has been working on them since the late 1990s, teaming with manufacturers such as Eaton and Parker Hannifin.

http://www.designnews.com/document.asp?doc_id=236226&f_src=designnews_gnews