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Millis officials flag deteriorating ornamental street lights on Route 109; replacements costly
Summary
The finance committee heard from DPW about damaged ornamental light poles on Route 109, some with exposed wiring; staff said replacement poles cost $7,000–$9,000 and several have been hit repeatedly by vehicles.
Public works staff told the Town of Millis Finance Committee on Sept. 24 that ornamental street lights installed along Route 109 have suffered repeated damage and that several older poles now require replacement.
Jim McKay of the Department of Public Works said the town has 88 ornamental lights along Route 109 and that the DPW’s survey identified roughly 10 poles in need of replacement. “You can see it by the price of them. They’re, like, 7 to $9,000 a piece,” McKay said during the meeting.
McKay described recurring vehicle impacts as the primary cause of damage and said the town typically works with insurance carriers and the motorist’s insurer to replace poles when accidents occur. He also said three poles have exposed wiring that the department has capped but considers a safety concern because animals or members of the public could access the exposed conductors.
Committee members asked whether the poles could be moved farther from the road to reduce collisions. McKay said relocating poles would be “way too expensive” because it would require moving electrical conduit and lifting sidewalk panels. He noted the town has converted the bulbs to LED, but said repeated repairs and age drive replacement needs.
The committee did not take a formal vote on a replacement appropriation during the meeting; McKay said some replacements are handled via insurance while others — including poles failing from age and weather exposure — would require capital funding.
The town’s capital planning packet included photos and a highlighted inventory of lights needing replacement; staff asked the committee to consider those needs as they finalize fall town meeting articles.
