RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Ohio -- All the city’s street lights are expected to shine once more sometime this year. That was the result that came from Tuesday’s (April 20) City Council Safety Committee meeting in which talk centered on the approximately 100 street lights that had been shuttered or allowed over the past nine years to burn out without replacement.
In recent weeks some members of council and residents have asked that, for safety reasons and to make the city a brighter place, all of Richmond Heights 600 street lights be made active.
“I talked with the president of council (Eloise Henry) and I think our intent is to proceed in turning on the lights and have the burnt out ones turned (back on),” said Mayor David Roche, after the committee heard details about the city’s lighting from The Illuminating Co.’s local representative Kevin Smalley. ”Kevin and I have talked over the last few weeks on this intent and have negotiated down to a reasonable rate of $55.50 (per light) to turn them all on. Over the years, we’ve had quotes of up to $800, so I’m happy with $55.50 right now.”
Roche explained that it was in 2012 that almost one-sixth of the city’s streetlights were shuttered in an effort to save money. “We didn’t know if we were going to make (city employee) payroll then, so every $25,000 (in approximate savings) counted,” Roche said.
Smalley said that the Illuminating Co., at the city’s request, shuttered 152 lights in 2012, saving the city just over $23,000 per year. Since that time, some of the lights have been made active once more.
Resident Terry Butler, who spoke to council a week earlier and urged that all lights be turned back on, told the committee Tuesday that there are 105 lights now shuttered or burnt out and not replaced. Butler and a team of male residents called MORE (Men of Richmond Heights Empowered), who seek to better the city, drove around and counted the non-working lights, and even recorded the power company’s numbers assigned to each pole.
Smalley said that The Illuminating Co. will replace any lights that need replacement with LED lights. Currently, the city’s lighting consists of high pressure sodium, mercury vapor and a few LED lights. Eventually, all lights will be LED as the others burn out.
Safety Committee Chairman and Ward 2 Councilman Frank Lentine asked Smalley how long it would take to turn back on the shuttered lights. Smalley said that weather always plays a part in how fast work gets done. While unsure of the installers’ current workload, Smalley said that once the job begins, it should take 8-12 weeks to complete. When Lentine asked if all the lights would be on by fall, Smalley said they would.
The street lighting matter will next go to council’s Finance Committee for approval, then, after three readings, to a full council vote. Roche said he will have Finance Director James Teknipp estimate the cost to the city, but added it should cost approximately $5,500 to turn back on the 100 lights, then about $1,200 a month to pay for the power.
“I’m very pleased,” Butler said after the meeting. While speaking to council on April 13, Butler had asked that council come to a decision on turning back on the lights by May 11. While three readings will bring a vote later than May 11, Butler was happy that council and the administration has begun the process. “I think they know it’s time,” he said.
In coming weeks, Butler said he will ask city leaders to look at taking steps to assure that the parking lots of ita apartment complexes are also well lit.
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