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Operation & Maintenance
Atovem130 201 1
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Boulevard Tree Trimming
The dry, extended fall weather has
allowed the Streets Division to
complete a few additional
seasonal projects as they
transition to the winter season
and snow removal operations.
One of these projects was
trimming the trees along Ipava
Avenue. The spreading branches
on many of the trees were
becoming a safety hazard to both
vehicles and pedestrians. From
the safety perspective,
branches are removed that
could cause property damage
by falling or striking vehicles
and that interfere with lines of
sight along the roadway. Trees
also need to be trimmed high
enough along trails to allow
safe passage for pedestrians
and snow removal equipment.
Trimming also enhances the
natural form and character of
the tree by either raising or
shaping the crown. Streets
Division staff have been trained
in trimming techniques and are careful
tree health.
LAKEVILLE OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE
Christopher Petree, Director
November 201 1
to trim the trees in a way which promotes
Sidewalk Grinding
Each year the Streets Division
staff inspects sidewalks
throughout the City for damaged
or raised concrete panels.
Damaged panels are scheduled
for replacement. Raised panels
are put on the list to be ground
down. Staff follows up
immediately on the raised panels,
renting a concrete grinder and
removing the raised edges. By
grinding down the raised edges,
the potential for tripping
hazards is reduced. Streets
Division Staff make sure the
raised edge is removed and
tapered back to create a
smoother transition, without
weakening the edge of the
panel. Staff spends about
two weeks each fall grinding
the concrete panels to
improve safety for residents.
Getting Water to Your Tap
For most of us, we turn on the tap
and water comes out, not too fast
and not too slow. We expect that
and don't think much about what
goes on behind the scenes to
make that happen. In addition to
wells, water towers, and water
treatment, the distribution of
water is influenced by elevation.
Changes in elevation separate
portions of the City into high and
low pressure zones. Lakeville's
different pressure zones can be
traced to pressure reducing valves _
(PRV) that are placed at key points throughout the City to regulate water flow
from higher elevations to lower elevations. Without these PRVs, the water
pressure at lower elevations would be so high that it could damage home
2
plumbing, appliances, and cause water towers to overflow. Pressure reducing
valves sense differences in pressure between the high and low sides and either
open to allow more water to flow through or close to restrict the flow, all while
maintaining a nearly constant water pressure on the low pressure side. While the
PRVs are largely self - regulating and operate without any intervention by staff, the
Utilities Division does perform regular maintenance and make periodic
adjustments to ensure the correct water pressure to homes and businesses.
Changing a Light Bulb
Changing a light bulb is not a very difficult job unless it is
at the top of a 15 -foot light pole. Streets Division staff
were out recently replacing bulbs in the holiday wreaths
along Holyoke Avenue, as well as replacing bulbs in
some of the City owned streetlights. The operation is
pretty much the same as it would be for a household
fixture; remove the globe, unscrew the defective bulb,
screw in the new bulb, and replace the globe. What
makes it interesting is working in a bucket at the end of a
boom.
2011 Street Reconstruction Project
The reconstruction of streets in
and around downtown Lakeville
that were part of the 201 1 project
was recently completed. The
project, beginning in mid-
summer, replaced significantly
deteriorated street segments,
added to and upgraded the storm
sewer system, and, in one area,
added concrete curb and gutter.
The project was completed on
budget and with only minimal
delays to the schedule.