Bellefonte council weighs lighting changes at Missoula Park; staff to cost solar/pole options

Bellefonte Borough staff and councilors spent the work session reviewing complaints and options for lighting at Missoula Park and asked staff to return with cost estimates for alternatives, including solar fixtures and new poles.

Council members heard that the current fixture is a 400‑watt floodlight provided as a courtesy by West Penn Power and that it cannot be shielded or fitted with alternate bulbs. “There’s really not too many options with that light. It’s a 400 watt floodlight,” Matt Almond, a borough staff member who presented the item, said. He told council the fixture was turned toward the park interior after complaints but that the borough had few immediate technical options through West Penn Power.

The discussion matters because residents raised concerns about light spill and aesthetics, while others said lighting affects safety and use of the park. Almond said an engineer estimate to place a new light in the middle of the park — which would require installing a transformer or running new primary line — was about $5,500–$5,600. He also said West Penn Power does not allow borough‑installed solar fixtures on its poles; installing solar would likely require the borough to set its own poles and pay additional upfront costs. Almond offered to research the cost of installing borough poles with solar LED fixtures and to report back to council.

Councilors and residents described a short 2024 pilot of the light that drew two complaints and noted the light was reinstalled in December. A Reynolds Avenue resident who spoke in the meeting said she had seen minimal after‑dark use of the park but objected to the current light and urged either removal or a more appropriate park lighting plan. “I don’t even agree that the park should even be open 24 hours,” the resident said, arguing that posted hours and a closed‑at‑dusk policy would be a low‑cost alternative. Another resident urged the borough to pursue lighting that matches the town’s installed park fixtures — underground wiring and capped poles that produce pools of light — even if that option costs more upfront.

Technical constraints were a major thread in the discussion. Almond said several existing lines across the park are high‑voltage transmission lines and cannot be tapped directly; running a new primary line from Reynolds Avenue or setting a transformer closer to the interior would drive costs. He also said West Penn Power’s standard street‑light offer is a cobra‑style fixture and they had no shielding or timer option available.

Councilors suggested additional steps before any formal decision: 1) get a written cost estimate for borough‑owned poles with solar LED fixtures; 2) confirm monthly costs for the current West Penn fixture (Almond estimated about $40 per month); and 3) consult Chief Wettmer of the Bellefonte Police Department about whether removing or changing the light would affect public‑safety concerns raised earlier.

The work session produced no motion or vote to change the light. Council agreed to have Almond return with costed options and to consult the police chief. Almond said he would research estimates and present options at a future meeting.

The discussion began during the council work session and concluded with direction to staff to develop cost options and follow up with the council.