Danville commission approves upfront payment for Lincoln Street LED project

The Redevelopment Commission for the Town of Danville voted to approve paying the upfront equipment charge for Duke Energy’s Lincoln Street LED project, backing a bid the town manager said would improve safety and help attract business. Town Manager Mark Morgan presented the proposal and discussed the costs and logistics.

Mark Morgan told the commission: "The upfront cost is $23,004.91" and described a monthly charge associated with the service. In discussion immediately before the vote, a commissioner moved to "approve an expenditure of $23,491.20, for the installation of the lights and the poles" as presented by Mark Morgan; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote. The transcript records both the initial quoted equipment figure and the motion language that referenced the $23,491.20 amount.

Commissioners framed the project as a safety improvement around a school corridor and as an economic-development measure. One member said the extra lighting would "raise that safety" and help make the town more attractive to industry and investment. Staff noted some poles will be retrofitted while others will be new, that easements will be needed in places and that Duke Energy will need to perform additional work such as relocating a transformer.

Morgan said the town plans a larger LED conversion for most streetlights and expects monthly utility savings that can absorb the new monthly charge so the school would not need to use its budget for the upgrade. He also said he will present aspects of the project to the town council next week and will return to the commission if details change.

The motion passed by voice vote; the transcript records the ayes and the chair announcing "motion carries." Voter names are not recorded in the transcript.