by Carol J. Nellis-Ewell,
SAHARO President
On August 5, Spencerport Municipal Electric Superintendent Owen McIntee and Lineman Dylon Love visited the Ogden Senior Center. An audience of interested seniors heard their presentation. Information included assistance and preparation among mutual municipal electric agencies during emergencies. Superintendent McIntee explained the favorable Spencerport electric rates, an amenity for franchise customers. Power is sourced from the Niagara River with hydro energy sales forecast according to agreements with NYPA (New York Power Authority). Spencerport is a Public Power Community.
Equipment was demonstrated by Dylon Love. Safety is always priority. Rubber gloves and straps, regularly inspected, flame resistant clothing, and new technology tools such as backyard outage spotters were featured. Seniors were surprised to learn the weight of a tool belt, very heavy for a lineman climbing a pole in all kinds of weather. A crew of six using hybrid vehicles services the community by maintaining circuits, poles and the electric substation.
Spencerport is the first Clean Energy Community in the Finger Lakes Region. Solar panels are on the roof of the Village Office on West Avenue, plus LED street lighting, insulation programs, appliance and window rebates. To end the visit, LED bulbs were given to each senior.
The program was one of many offered by Valerie Collins, Town of Ogden Nutrition Program Director. An affordable, healthy lunch is available Monday, Wednesday and Friday for seniors ages 60 and older. Exercise, games and trips are scheduled along with Monroe County Office of the Aging resources. The comfortable building is managed by the SAHARO Board. Seniors are welcome to enjoy food, friendship and fun close to home at the Ogden Senior Center, 200 South Union Street, next to Village Plaza. For information, call 352-3250.
