Sign of the times: $5, please.

A vehicle gets spritzed on West 8th Street.

Aside from the occasional spritzing of vehicles by water escaping from the yellow hoses snaking through Plainfield's streets as part of the NJ American Water company's water mains project, the most annoying factor is the unpredictability of navigating downtown during the work.

Relief, I am told by one cop frequently working traffic closing for the project, is almost in sight. The work is expected to be completed by the end of November.

But don't expect to know just what streets will be closed just when and where -- it's a 'moveable feast'.

The improvement project has not been without its moments of humor, though.

A particularly powerful jet of water from a rupture on 4th Street near Park Avenue was so strong that motorists came to a stop and rolled up windows before plunging onward.

Which led a mischievous worker at the new Portuguese/Brazilian BBQ at that spot to stand under the restaurant's marquee with hand outstretched as drivers crawled by, thoroughly soaked, saying 'That'll be $5, please. And thank you!'

-- Dan Damon