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Council discusses accelerating $3.3M streetlight replacement to meet dark-sky goals
Summary
Staff recommended moving up replacement of town-owned street lights to meet dark-sky standards; updated cost estimates including all remaining lights are about $3.3 million, and council members expressed general support to accelerate work within existing CIP funding.
Staff briefed council on the town's dark-sky lighting initiative and proposed accelerating replacement of town-owned street lights this calendar year. The presentation reviewed the project background, community dark-sky goals, and design and cost estimates.
Public works staff reported additional analysis reduced the estimated program cost to approximately $3.3 million if the town includes the remaining 167 XL lights; the earlier memo estimated $3.6 million. Council asked about interim, lower-cost fixes such as retrofit shields (a small—6metal cap or half shield) that can reduce glare for nearby residences. Staff said shields can be added and may help short-term, but full LED replacements are more energy efficient and align with long-term goals.
Council members expressed support for accelerating the replacement, noting the funding is already included in the town's three-year CIP and that contractors said they have capacity to take on additional conversions. Staff said the project team will continue coordination with Excel (utility provider), but that Excel has design standards and does not always approve nonstandard fixtures, which complicates some retrofit options.
What happens next: Staff will continue negotiations with contractors and utility partners, refine final cost estimates and schedule, and return with an implementation schedule and any needed permitting or procurement steps.
