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Earlier this year, the Ad-Hoc Committee on LED Streetlights proposed to Scarsdale trustees that they move forward with the pilot proposal to install LED lighting on high traffic streets and in locations with “town and county post-top fixtures.”
In total, the committee recommended that additional LED streetlight fixtures be outfitted as they continue to run the pilot for an additional three months. If approved, the LED lights would be installed on Post Road, Mamaroneck Road, Heathcote Road and Weaver Street.
“Given the concerns previously noted about LED fixtures, we think additional installations on smaller residential streets should not be a part of the initial effort,” the committee reported to the Scarsdale Board of Trustees. “However, we encourage the village staff to use LEDs as appropriate to solve existing situations of inadequate lighting.”
Late last year, the Scarsdale Board of Trustees established the committee to research Light Emitting Diode (LED) streetlights, which they hope will improve visibility on streets at night, reduce costs to the village and taxpayers for electricity-related costs, limit the amount of local maintenance required and conserve energy.
In October, they entered the mini-pilot project, where the first 25 LED streetlights of varying light colors and brightness were installed in three sections of Scarsdale, with officials asking for the publics input.
In all, the committee received just 11 emails from residents, which expressed split opinions.
“Community input is an important part of this program. It is needed to ensure that residents are aware of the project and how it may change the aesthetic characteristics of our village, as well as to gauge their attitudes toward the new lights,” the committee continued. “During the mini-test, the committee communicated with residents through multiple channels including pole signs, the press, the village website and electronic boards at Village Hall and the library to let them know about the project.”
With the mini-test complete, the committee is calling on a staged, five-year approach for a complete rollout of LED streetlights, citing financial, time and environmental benefits for all involved.
If approved, a full conversion to LED lighting in the village may cost upwards of $650,000, with more than $100,000 in electricity savings to Scarsdale taxpayers.
“A staged approach would allow the village to spread the installation workload to allow for the option of the work to be done in-house, while allowing for financing within the village’s operating budget,” the committee reported. “It will allow the avoidance of having to replace the entire inventory at one time and will introduce more appropriate LED fixtures, as they become available on quieter residential roads.”
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