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Streetlights to be replaced

(6/12) The Town Council approved moving forward with a Community Legacy grant application for $252,000 for the replacement of over 200 streetlamps in town.

Discussion has been held for several years regarding replacing streetlamps and bulbs around town, according to Town Manager Cathy Willets. "We’re going to shoot for the moon and hope we get all the money," she said.

No exact date is known for when the existing streetlights were installed, but based on staff records, it is estimated circa 1980. The existing streetlights have chipping paint and rusting bases/bolts and are in need of replacement. There are 102 streetlights that will be replaced between Main Street and South Seton Avenue. 96 are on Main Street and six are on South Seton Avenue.

The proposed replacement streetlights would have dimmable bulbs and cutoff luminaires, which means the lights will be aimed toward the ground with a maximum of 2.5 percent of the numeric value of the lamp lumen output radiating above 90-degrees into the night sky. This will prevent up glare into residential windows while allowing the light to be directed at the sidewalks and streets where lighting is most needed. The new updated lights will include new technology with a "Dark Sky" function which minimizing light pollution by not shining straight into the sky, Willets said.

"The idea is to have consistency around town," she said, and some areas may require more or less light.

"The first concern is going to be safety, above and beyond everything else," she said.

Depending on the bid proposal accepted for the project, the posts styles are expected to look the same as those currently in place.

The town is not aware of any sidewalk re-working necessary for the light installation at this time.

The streetlight replacement project will be completed in phases. The first phase will focus on replacement of existing streetlights. The second phase will include the installation of new streetlights to the town’s housing developments.

The council also authorized the yearly Community Legacy grant for funding to improve the façade’s of private buildings in town. Each year the town applies for $75,000 in Community Legacy grants funds for its façade restoration program, Town Planner Zachary Gulden said. Typically, the town receives about $50,000.

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