By David Avitabile
MIDDLEBURGH - It's going to be a brighter walk on River Street in Middleburgh.
The change to the brighter LED lights was to happen early this year, but there were some delays, Mayor Tim Knight explained.
Members of the Middleburgh Village Department of Public Works were going to begin installing LEDs in the historic lights on River Street in early January, but the old Midtel van the village uses has not been operational and this project was delayed due to water line repairs and other weather related work, the Mayor said.
The lights also have a much longer life, and use less electricity, both of which will save the village money.
The village is scheduled to get 134 new LED streetlights from National Grid this spring.
At a special meeting earlier this month, village board members discussed the National Grid LED streetlight conversion quote for $11,716.24. Once National Grid receives the check, the project will go "into the pipeline," village officials said. It is estimated the project will begin in the spring and take no longer than two weeks to complete. The project will be replacing all village street lights 134 lights with LED bulbs.
Once the village receives reimbursement upon project completion, the final cost will be $4,711.24
Last year, board members had hoped that the changeover would have started three years ago as National Grid had promised to replace burnt out bulbs with LED but found out they had leftover old-style lights and used them instead.
The new lights will be brighter and the village will save on electricity charges, but the proposed National Grid rate hike increase in facility charges will wipe out most of the village's savings, officials said. The village will break about even, with a possibility of savings.
The lights will be brighter in the business district, by the elementary school, and the Methodist Church. The decorative lights will also be brighter.
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In other action, board members:
* Approved the February water rents in the amount of $50,319.40 and sewer rents in the amount of $55,496.91.
* Heard from the codes enforcement officer that the remodeling on a home on River Street is going well. The remodeling on a Grove Street home is going "all right. A deck is also being put on a home on Maple Avenue. He also issued an order to remedy on a shed.
* Heard Mayor Tim Knight say he had already gotten a few grant surveys back. The survey/questionnaire was placed in the February water/sewer bill. The survey will give village officials information that will help them get grant funding. The village is also seeking members for a grants committee.
* Heard that the used Ford F-350 purchased by the village has been running well so far.
* Heard that the village crews continue to replace water meters and appointments are available by calling the village clerk's office. The meters are usually done on Wednesdays.
* Heard that the replacement of water mains and shut offs should be a priority moving forward. The village suffered four service line breaks over 17 days in January and February.
* Heard that the pump station at the sewer plant keeps tripping pumps.
* Heard that Kip Pangman and Jen Townes helped MidTel take down candles and kissing balls on Main Street and shoveled/salted sidewalks on River Street.
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