Kingston continues LED streetlight upgrades as some residents complain about brightness

Council heard an administrative update on April 6 that UGI has replaced nearly 100 streetlights in Kingston with new LED fixtures and intends to complete the project by midsummer, with a target municipal completion date of May 30, 2026. A pre‑construction meeting was also scheduled for related park improvements.

Solicitor Harry Mattern told council he had seen criticism in the local paper about the brighter streetlights and said he hoped it would not become a significant issue. Councilmember John Chernesky and Councilmember Paul Keating defended the upgrades, saying brighter lighting can reduce crime and save the borough money. Mayor Jeffrey Coslett repeated a figure provided by UGI, saying the new lights were estimated to produce a 30% to 60% crime reduction in areas where LED lighting has been installed, and said UGI chose the new fixtures because prior bulbs and poles were no longer available.

Resident Maria Hoskins commented she had not yet received an upgraded pole in front of her home, said vandalism in her neighborhood motivated her support for the upgrade, and described prior vandalism and an egging incident that she said caused roughly $1,000 in paint damage to her car. The mayor and council noted that foliage will reduce some perceived brightness over time and that the borough is not the only community receiving similar upgrades.

The council did not take formal action on lighting at the April 6 meeting; the administrative update indicated the utility expects to finish replacements by midsummer and staff will continue to provide progress reports.