Canaan board approves audit, moves forward with LED streetlight conversion

The Canaan Select Board voted to move forward with an audit and financing plan to convert the town’s municipal streetlights to LED fixtures following a presentation from AffinityLED and utility partners.

In a presentation to the board, Steve Lieber, president and founder of AffinityLED, described the company’s process of performing a GIS inventory, reconciling utility records and preparing a lighting plan. He said Liberty’s on-bill financing and program incentives can significantly reduce up-front costs for towns. “Liberty has an outstanding program … the on-bill financing at 0 cost is the best way to go,” Lieber said.

Why it matters: Board members were told the conversion could cut streetlight energy use dramatically and pay back rapidly. AffinityLED and supporting utility staff explained that the town currently pays a tariff for unmetered lights and that converting fixtures typically shifts costs and reduces rated wattage charges, producing annual savings. The presenters estimated a net project cost near $56,000 after incentives, an undepreciated asset (net-book) payment of $6,109 the town must cover, and an on-bill financing term that would spread payments over about five years.

What presenters said: AffinityLED said Liberty offers up to $50,000 in on-bill financing with a 0% interest option in some cases and a utility rebate/incentive that reduces the town’s net outlay. Lieber said crews will audit poles, identify which fixtures are town-owned versus private, and prepare a color-coded lighting plan for review by public safety and highway staff. He advised paying the undepreciated asset value to allow the project to proceed and said crews cannot be scheduled until Liberty authorizes the work and the accounting items are resolved. “Once the project is installed, we immediately turn in the updated ledger…and you receive a check for the rebate,” Lieber said.

Board questions and clarifications: Select-board members pressed presenters on who will replace fixtures if the town owns them, whether the lights are metered, and how the town will track power use. Presenters said normal utility processes for reporting and repair would continue (the utility typically maintains the arms and service while the town would own the COBRA head once the net-book value is paid) and that Liberty’s tariff structure charges by rated wattage and hours of darkness rather than by a physical meter.

Decision and next steps: The board moved and voted to authorize the audit/GIS inventory and to proceed with the paperwork needed to access Liberty’s on-bill financing and incentive. AffinityLED representatives said Kelly and Dean would work with the town’s finance manager and the town administrator to draft the contract and complete utility paperwork. The board instructed staff to send contract documents to Town Administrator Jack.

Implementation notes: Presenters estimated the on-bill financing payment at about $833 per month (five-year term) and projected annual net savings roughly in the $10,000–$15,000 range depending on seasonality; they also noted that some fixtures (LEDs) have long lifetimes and that the removal of existing fixtures requires hazardous-material handling and certification because older bulbs contain mercury.