Highlands will buy 168 fixtures for about $32,000
The Highlands Town Board took “the next step” in purchasing all of the street lights in Fort Montgomery at its April 27 meeting, allowing Supervisor Bob Livsey to sign several agreements with NYPA and start the process of purchasing the existing mercury vapor streetlights from Orange & Rockland and replace them with LED lights. The New York Power Authority is funding the project.
Town Attorney Justin Rider explained to the board that signing the purchase agreement for the purchase of 168 fixtures for $32,000 is “the next step in moving this project along”.
Town officials are projecting that they will see considerable cost benefits by purchasing the lights.
“It was projected that we’d pay $58,000 for the lights,” Councilman Richard Sullivan said, “and that’s come in $20,000 below that, so already, there are pleasing numbers with regard to this project.”
Sullivan said it will take seven to eight years to payback the purchase of the lights to NYPA, “with a positive cash flow during that time, meaning the expense per year will be $3000-4000 less than the $46,000 we’re paying each year for street lights now.”
In addition to the lesser expense, Sullivan said the town will now control the lights, including the brightness.
“If we didn’t do anything, every time a light burned out O&R would change it out for an LED light, and we’d have no control over that,” Sullvian added. “By owning the lights, we can put in the new lights of our choosing, 2700 Kelvin or less.”
He added that the new lights can be tailored to residential or business areas, with the brighter lights in public areas, as needed.
The town will eventually enter into a contract with NYPA for $20 per light annually for maintenance.
Rider told the board there are some tasks to complete before the final contracts are signed, including getting consent from Verizon to place new lights on the utility poles they own; some equipment obligations that have be completed within two years; some training for Highway Department employees; and some matters to be run by the town’s insurance company.
