Newfield readying for streetlight project

In June 2020, Newfield adopted the Climate Smart Communities Pledge. A year later, the town is preparing to take action toward fulfilling that promise with its switch to LED streetlights.

Newfield Town Supervisor Michael Allinger said it has been an ongoing project of the New York Power Authority (NYPA), which approached Tompkins County municipalities to help in converting to LED street lighting.

“For each municipality, they worked up an overall cost it would cost to convert,” Allinger said. “It included the purchase of assets from NYSEG — pretty might the lighting units themselves, not the poles they’re mounted on — and maintenance plans, because if they’re not owned by NYSEG, they’re not going to take care of them.”

The NYPA’s Smart Street Lighting NY program has a goal of replacing at least 500,000 streetlights across the state with LED technology by 2025, according to its website. The agency provides municipalities with upfront financing for the projects, with repayment made to the Power Authority.

Those payments are covered, the NYPA website states, by the cost savings created by reduced energy use of LED technology, which is 50% to 65% more efficient than alternative street lighting options.

The NYPA tweeted about the project June 30, announcing the benefits for the town.

“LEDs will reduce Newfield’s #GHG emissions by 26+ tons & their energy use by 47,000+ kWh per year and come equipped with smart nodes & cameras for digital asset management,” the tweet reads.

The cost for Newfield to convert its 187 fixtures, Allinger said, is $176,980, which covers the purchase of the light fixtures from NYSEG ($60,000 of the total amount), any new hardware that is required for the conversion, LED bulbs, construction costs, administrative fees and design expenses. He said that amount is being financed over 20 years at a rate of 4%.

“Although it’s a pretty large number to do this conversion, the project will be paid for by the savings we’re going to realize,” Allinger said.

The estimated savings, due to the superior technology of LED systems over the current halogen bulbs, will be $14,896 annually. During the 20-year period of the financing, that savings is estimated to be $297,920.

That is a net savings of $120,940, highlighting the financial incentive to move forward with the conversion.

“And the longevity of the lighting systems themselves. I don’t know how many times I’ve had someone call me and tell me a light is out. And then we have to call NYSEG, and sometimes it would take a while to get the light fixed,” Allinger described another positive aspect of the project. “While these won’t last forever, we will have a maintenance contract that will cover replacing them.”

In addition to upgrading the lighting technology, the NYPA helps municipalities consider an array of options to help meet their needs, including the ability to incorporate SMART technology. SMART technology can be used for other functions, the NYPA website states, including cameras and other safety features, weather sensors, Wi-Fi and energy meters.

Allinger said there were a lot of questions and concerns during Town Board discussions about the project. Ultimately, though, he said the choice was not hard.

“This is going to cost the town actually nothing because the money we’re saving is going to pay for this conversion. It’s scary to look at 20 years and think, ‘Where am I going to be in 20 years?’” Allinger said. “But it’s the right thing to do because it is better for the environment and is a better lighting system.”

He also noted that moving forward with the project puts Newfield “more in line with funding made available through the clean energy programs we’re a part of.”

“That will help the town as well,” Allinger said.

The town is preparing a staging area for equipment to be dropped off, and construction and installation will take place this fall.

IN BRIEF:

Local energy code public hearing Thursday

The Newfield Town Board is conducting a public hearing at 7 p.m. July 22 for public comment on the proposed amendment to its code to add a local energy code. The public hearing will take place at Newfield Town Hall, located at 166 Main St.

Written comments also may be submitted to the town clerk before noon on July 22.

For more information, visit newfieldny.org/nystretch-energy-code-adoption-public-hearing-on-7-22-2021.

Library hosting circus workshop, movie night

The Newfield Public Library is closing out the week with a Circus Culture-presented workshop from 6 to 8 p.m. July 22. Participants will make their own hoops and will learn hooping moves and circus stories. All ages are welcome for the family-friendly event, but space is limited, so registration is required.

“Wonder” will be the featured movie at 8:30 p.m. July 23, the second of four planned film events. The movie will be shown under the stars behind the Masonic Temple on Main Street; in the event of rain, it will be shown inside the library. Still to come are “Raya and the Last Dragon” on Aug. 13 and “Playing with Fire” on Aug. 27.

Kitestring to perform at Mill Park

As part of the Newfield Music Series at Mill Park, Kitestring will take the stage at 6 p.m. July 28. Upcoming shows include Janet Batch on Aug. 11 and Erin and the Backwoods Blues Project on Aug. 25.