Resident Donates Engineering Equipment

Professional engineer and long-time Amberley Village resident, Stanley Cohen, has donated two engineering tools to the Amberley Public Works Department. In December of 2008, Cohen donated a 60-year-old precision dumpy level, and in the summer of 2009 he donated a 30-year-old precision engineer’s transit.

A precision dumpy level is used to establish precise horizontal elevations. It combines a telescope with a spirit bubble tube mounted on a base with four leveling screws. The name “dumpy” refers to the instrument’s short focal length, which makes it much easier to use than a design requiring a longer telescope. A precision engineer’s transit allows for accuracy in building corners and aligning bridge joints and pipelines. Cohen’s transit is equipped with a 32-power telescope, plumb bob, magnifying glass, adjusting tools and a wood carrying case. Cohen used this transit throughout the country for many types of building and layout projects.

Amberley’s Director of Public Works, Steve Rasfeld, said that both instruments will be extremely useful in different Village projects. The dumpy level will be used for storm drain installations, landscaping projects, and various maintenance activities.

“We’re grateful to Stan for these instruments and for the expert advice he’s provided to us on many engineering projects,” Rasfeld said.