Keene board reviews solar lighting plans for Carver Park, staff cites roughly $194,000 turnkey estimate

Keene staff presented options to add lighting at Carver Park — including walkway bollards, extra basketball‑court lights and parking‑lot fixtures — and said a solar turnkey proposal came back at about $194,000.

“...they're good for 8 years as long as, you know, the battery on it,” an unidentified staff member said, describing the vendor’s estimate of component life while noting staff had not yet obtained a battery‑replacement cost. Board members questioned long‑term maintenance costs and whether the project would require formal competitive bidding.

Why it matters: Better lighting can expand park usable hours and improve perceived safety, but up‑front costs and ongoing battery‑replacement expenses will affect the capital budget. Staff said solar options avoid trenching and electrical service costs but shift replacement and warranty considerations to battery maintenance.

Board action and next steps: The board opted to include the lighting proposal on the November public hearing agenda to solicit community input and directed staff to request detailed bids, confirm whether a formal bid process is required, and estimate battery‑replacement costs.

Numbers and caveats: Staff reported a turnkey solar proposal of roughly $194,000 and referenced an 8‑year battery life from the vendor; staff did not provide a battery‑replacement price and said additional cost detail and formal bidding determinations are pending.

Provenance: Presentation and discussion of lighting bids and the decision to add the item to the public hearing occurred in the Carver Park agenda discussion.