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Oshkosh Council Discusses Who Pays When Utility Poles Are Replaced
Summary
City staff reviewed options for replacing aging concrete and fiberglass street-light poles owned by Wisconsin Public Service, including keeping status quo, budgeting for fiberglass upgrades in corridors, and allowing neighborhood-funded upgrades; staff will analyze cost break‑even and infrastructure buyout scenarios.
Oshkosh City Council members discussed Monday whether the city should change its approach to replacing aging street‑light poles owned by Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) and when the city should take ownership of street‑lighting infrastructure.
City staff briefed the council on three options: keep the current practice of letting WPS determine replacements and use wood poles unless the city pays an upcharge; budget proactively to pay for black fiberglass or aluminum decorative poles on corridors and gateway streets; or allow neighborhood groups or individuals to fund upgraded poles in specific areas. Jim, a city staff member who presented the report, said the city owns about 1,750 lights while the utility owns the remainder, roughly 73 percent of lights in Oshkosh.
The issue matters because several concrete poles installed in the 1970s are cracking and WPS has identified some as structurally deficient. “The official lifespan of a pole is about 20 years. However, the functional…
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