Shown is the team from Technical Services who had a part in the redesign. From left are Chad Hudson, software development and coding; William Whitridge, gauge design, hardware build and installation; Josh Christe, electronic circuit board development and production; Tehan, project manager; and Brad Potulney, calibration, installation and project application management. Photo by Deb Patterson.

By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — It was a labor of love for the community that Alan Tehan and his employees at Technical Services, Syracuse, spent three years repairing and redesigning the water level gauge at the Syracuse Water Control Device. That labor can be publicly seen.

The water level gauge at the Syracuse Water Control Device has been absent since 2007. Technical Services, Syracuse, installed the updated gauge last week.

Shown is the automatic gauge that was originally on the water control device building, taken in the 1960s. Photo provided by Ann Garceau.

No longer is the gauge operated by gears and pulleys. Its operation has been updated with electronic technology and night illumination has been added. It was all a labor of love for the community.

With the completion of the installation, which included a solar panel to power the gauge, the group has been working on calibration. The solar panel will be used until electric is reinstalled in the control device building.

Tehan has had the gauge since 2007. The face was faded, it was operated mechanically through gears and pulleys. It has now been redesigned to be electronically operated and General Crafts, Goshen, produced a new face with its water jet cutting machine.

Each Technical Services employee worked on the software, hardware and design. They will continue working on the gauge to create an algorithm where the gates could eventually be opened and closed automatically.

All labor and material was donated by Technical Services. “It’s what we do,” Tehan stated. “It’s a neat place to be and good to give back.”

The new water gauge has been replaced at the Syracuse Water Control Device, which shows the water height and is illuminated at night. Photo by Deb Patterson