Local governments cooperate in camera purchase

The villages of Spencerport, Brockport, and Hilton have pooled their resources and purchased an ARIES Pan and Tilt Camera. The small camera, which resembles a robotic dachshund, is the latest in custom-built television inspection for internal checking of sewer, gas, and water pipelines. It is directed through the pipes by remote control. Its head rotates to 360 degrees and has a waterproof lighting system. It can provide over 90 percent spherical viewing and can inspect any line condition from 2 inch ducts up to 12 foot or larger pipes.

The camera is housed in a small trailer that was purchased as part of the $45,000 price tag. From inside the van, the operator can send the camera into the manhole without ever having to enter the manhole himself. He controls the camera and watches it on a small TV screen. The camera lighting illuminates the pipes, allowing the operator to inspect joints and see the reason for the obstruction. The camera records on a VCR tape exactly what it sees and the operator can make notes on the screen which will show up when the tape is replayed. For example, if the camera spots a mass of roots obstructing the pipe, the operator would key in the exact location within the pipe such as 10 feet from manhole and then key in "root obstruction." This tape can then be reviewed with others within the department or showed to the village board if necessary.

Rather than spend the extra money to have ARIES custom outfit the van with the proper shelving and cabinets, the three villages put their manpower together and did it themselves at a great savings.

The money the three villages saved by splitting the cost for the camera and van is only part of the savings. "In the past we had to contract out inspection projects several times a year at a considerable cost," stated Superintendent of Public Works for Spencerport Tom West. "By working together we will be able to do the work ourselves at a considerable savings."

Each highway department's supervisors have been trained in the use of the camera as have two additional highway employees from each village.

A flexible schedule was drawn up for the three villages to share the camera but it will be housed in Hilton. The decision has not been made yet whether the camera will ever be rented out to other villages or towns.