Streetlight ordinance gets review

Springfield has launched a review of its 1983 streetlight policy.
http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20120601/NEWS02/706019953

Published June 1, 2012 in the Rutland Herald Streetlight ordinance gets review By SUSAN SMALLHEER Staff Writer SPRINGFIELD — Faced with recommendations to turn off more of the town’s 500 streetlights, the town is now reviewing its 1983 streetlight ordinance. The 33 streetlights proposed to be turned off have been referred to Police Chief Douglas Johnston for review to make sure public safety won’t be compromised. Select Board member David Yesman, one of two board members on the streetlight committee, said Thursday, he, Select Board member Michael Knoras and Town Manager Robert Forguites met with the attorney Stephen Ankuda to go over the ordinance. Yesman said that the group came up with several changes to the ordinance, which he said were clarifications of issues. Ankuda will write up the changes and the full board will review the ordinance, said Yesman. Among the issues that will be addressed is how to request either the removal or addition of a streetlight, and how residents can add a private streetlight but put it in the town’s right of way, he said. “It’s more clarity than anything,” said Yesman. The purpose of the ordinance he said is to ensure the safety of the public, whether pedestrians or vehicular traffic. Earlier in the week, the Select Board heard from the co-chairmen of the town’s Energy Committee, which is spearheading the switchover of the town’s streetlights to more energy efficient LED lights. Work has already started on the changeover by Central Vermont Public Service Corp., which owns the current lights, but the changeover prompted a review of the existing lights. The Select Board last month OK’d shutting off about a dozen lights, but when the Energy Committee recommended an additional 33 lights, a full review of the ordinance was launched. Mary Ann Remolador, one of the Energy Committee’s chairs, said the 1983 ordinance was remarkably complete and up-to-date. “The majority of the content is very good,” she said. Remolador and John Pugh said the group had reviewed about half of the town’s streetlights, and it was likely additional lights would be recommended to be shut off. Remolador said that some lights can’t even be seen because of trees or vines essentially block the light. “We’re paying for lights that are not giving a lot of light,” said Forguites. Remolador said that CVPS would have to do some trimming even to get to some lights. Pugh said he was unsure about the status of the LED changeover, but said CVPS had promised to get the work done by October. Remolador and Pugh said they had only reviewed the lights in the east side of town, and the west side still had to be done, but that review was suspended until the ordinance is reviewed. The changeover is being funded by a grant from Efficiency Vermont, and is expected to save the town a net $25,000 a year.