Ameren Part 2

Around 8:00 am this morning, from my second story observatory, I noticed an Ameren (power company) boom truck sitting in front of the house. The driver got out and went around to the back yard. A few minutes later, the driver returned to the truck, did a three-point U turn on Russell and headed west. He sped just past the entry to the Russell-Longfellow alley, slammed on the brakes, threw it into reverse and proceeded to back into the car following the truck, despite the frantic horn blasts from the car. I watched as the truck driver and the lady from the car get out and discuss the damage. Thinking this was a good moment in history to capture, I grabbed my iPad and went down stairs to get a good shot. By the time I got to the door, both vehicles were gone. Moments later, the boom truck showed up in the alley behind the house. I guess the lady did not believe the damage was worth reporting or perhaps there was no actual contact. If the later however, I am not sure why they both got out of their vehicles to discuss the matter in the middle of the street. Regardless, it appears the truck driver was very lucky as it would be a tough situation to explain to the boss.

By 8:15 am, we had two Ameren trucks in the back alley. Believing this was an indication that we will finally get the overhead power line rerouted today, I went down to the basement and unlocked and unbarred the basement door, expecting the electrician to arrive. By 8:30 am, a third Ameren pickup truck had arrived with a cable spool in the truck bed. It certainly appeared they were serious about "pushing" a new cable today.

At 8:40 am, I noticed that Judge Carol, our neighbor at the end of the alley, was ready to head off to work. The guy with the cable spool rolled up the cable he had unrolled and backed out of her way. To my surprise, once Carol had passed, the cable spool truck followed her out. Then the boom trucks left as well. Very odd.

About 9:30 am, Spenser and I were walking along Compton and noticed that both the boom truck and the cable spool pickup truck had staged themselves in the parking lot of a church about a block away. The only thing Spenser and I could think of was that they were waiting for the electrical contractor (Rob) to arrive. If true, I hope Rob is more punctual that he has been in the past.

10:15 am, the two Ameren trucks were back in the alley. No sign of the electrical contractor. I talked to the Ameren Foreman and he said the delay in the work earlier because they discovered they brought the wrong cable. They now had the right stuff and should have the work done in about 45 minutes. He did not anticipate the electrical contractor needed to do anything to complete he job. By 11:00 am they were done, with the old cable gone, the new 400 amp system installed and the power back on.

It is nice to have the overhead lines gone and not having them hanging off the back of the house.

After

Before

I called "Our" Mike to let him know the power line was down and that I assumed we could therefore start putting the trusses into place. He said we certainly could, if he could find anyone who would be willing to work in this weather. A very disconcerting comment. While it is cold outside, it is a beautiful sunny and calm day.

Late in the day, we received a call from Scott at the Marvin Window vendor. He said our sunroom windows and doors have arrived and to let them know when we are ready for them to be delivered.