Nesquehoning looks to save by replacing streetlights

Nesquehoning is hoping that changes to its streetlights will help decrease its monthly electric bill.

On Wednesday, borough council discussed its ongoing streetlight project, which has been going on since 2014. Council has been looking at the 418 lights throughout the borough, which cost the taxpayers over $72,000 a year.

Councilwoman Mary Fox said that she and Councilmen Frank Jacobs and George Sabol have gone through the town and looked at the lights to see what could be eliminated and recommend changing all lights over to LED, which would also cut down on costs.

The trio had completed the majority of the town months ago but recently looked at Catawissa Street, which has 68 lights alone.

“Our street lighting bill is over $6,000 a month, which is coming out of our liquid fuel money,” Fox said. “If we can lower our streetlight bill with LEDs and some elimination, that would be good. If we can bring that bill down, then we will have more money to put into our streets.”

There are a few questions council has for PPL, which would be changing over or removing the lights, before a final submission for action is submitted.

Council is hoping to complete this request in April.

In 2014, council filed paperwork with PPL to reduce the wattage of 38 lights from 150 watts to 70 watts, which saved the town $8,000 annually.

Part of the borough, including the Hauto Valley Estates, has already been changed over to LED streetlights.

In other matters, Nesquehoning is looking to update its two dry hydrants at the pond in the Hauto Valley Estates.

John McArdle, Nesquehoning Hose Company fire chief, said he received the permits for the dry hydrant replacement.

He told council he would like to get one of the two installed sometime in April, with the second hydrant replaced pending a response by Reading and Northern Railroad regarding the borough’s request to reinstall a railroad crossing at the pond that would be strictly for access by fire departments in the event of a fire.

McArdle asked to coordinate the project with the borough street crew, as well as the Nesquehoning Conservation Club since the pond is maintained by the club.