LED streetlights, firetruck approved by East Lyme residents
East Lyme — A proposal to bring LED streetlights to town will move forward after voters approved the initiative at a town meeting Wednesday.
Voters also backed on Wednesday the purchase of a replacement truck for the Flanders Fire Department and the acceptance of donations toward a proposed bandstand at McCook Point Park.
During the meeting, Public Works Director Joe Bragaw said the LED streetlight proposal would save the town $2.5 million over 20 years. The LED lights would use between 70 to 80 percent less energy than the existing lights.
"This is a slam-dunk project for the town," he told about 30 attendees at the meeting.
Bragaw said the department plans to finance the $969,436 cost for the LED lighting under a "pay as you go" model.
Over a seven-year period, the town would spend about $10,000 less each year than its current $200,000 annual expenditures for lighting, according to a town document. The town also would receive a $135,000 rebate.
After the seven-year period, the town would save more than $170,000 each year.
During the meeting, residents approved by majority vote the acceptance of a total of $60,000 in donations from the East Lyme Public Trust Foundation, Niantic Rotary Club and Niantic Lions Club for the bandshell.
The town's $15,000 portion for the project already has been approved during the budget process, First Selectman Mark Nickerson said.
Resident Warren Hall commended the groups for raising the money. He proposed redesigning the bandshell to represent the town's symbol of a scallop shell by using the existing funds as seed money.
"I'd like to see this money put towards a design and raise more money for the construction," he said.
After the meeting, Parks and Recreation Director David Putnam explained that the originally proposed location was found to be part of a deeded special recreation area. The new proposal, which will go to the Zoning Commission on Thursday, will locate the bandshell closer to the pavilion.
Residents also approved by majority vote bonding $480,000 for a replacement pumper truck for the Flanders Fire Department.
Nickerson said the town is in the midst of studying personnel and equipment needs, but the fire department's need for a new truck is pressing.
William Rix, assistant chief of the Flanders Fire Department, said the truck would replace a 1993 apparatus that has been out of service due to the need for safety repairs to the brakes and the pump.
He said the National Fire Protection Association recommends that firetrucks be replaced at 20 years.
Rix said the actual cost of the truck would likely be about $18,000 less than the approved $480,000, but is proposing the full amount in case of any unexpected costs.
Speaking in opposition to the purchase, resident Ronald Rando said the town needs to think about taxpayers.
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