Oakland replacing street lights with LED

Residents in the town of Oakland are going to experience greater visibility and more security once Duke Energy replaces all of its street lights.

The Town Commission voted in favor of the newest proposal presented by Duke Energy to the town that will convert 176 town street lights to the new LED lights. This will increase the town’s monthly rental fee $2.28 — from $1,859.71 to $1,861.99.

All of the affected lights are rented from Duke Energy, which is responsible for the poles and fixtures and all damage replacement. The electrical usage charge for the lights is included in the rental cost.

The commission watched a presentation last year that said the white LED lights provide even light distribution for improved visibility and enhanced security, a long luminaire life with fewer outages, reduced energy consumption, and consistent light output.

“All of the old-style, yellowish-looking sodium vapor fixtures will be removed, and new white, clearer light-emitting diode fixtures will be installed,” Town Planner Jay Marder said. “This involves replacing the entire fixture due to the new mechanics of LED.”

This will include the cobra head-style lights on poles along the main streets, such as Oakland Avenue and Tubb Street, and lights in the older area of the town.

None of the light poles will be replaced.

Subdivisions in which the lights are paid for by the homeowners associations — such as Oakland Pointe, Southern Oaks and Winters Landing, plus all of the newer subdivisions such as Longleaf and Oakland Trails — will not be affected, and they will keep their Acorn- and Sanibel-style lights.

IN OTHER NEWS:

• The commission voted in favor of sending a letter of support — signed by Mayor Kathy Stark — for the Green Mountain Scenic Byway, which is applying for designation as a National Scenic Byway. The local 45-mile scenic byway runs through Oakland. National designation would give the town increased visibility and “further enhance the charm that makes Oakland such a wonderful place,” according to byway officials. Nationally, there are 126 roads in 44 states that are designated as either a National Scenic Byway or All-American Road.

Stark wrote in her letter: “The town of Oakland has been included in the marketing materials and social media postings produced by the Green Mountain Scenic Byway, which has resulted in increased visibility for our town and an economic boost to the region by way of increased jobs and tax revenue. As it has from the beginning, the town of Oakland fully supports the efforts of this byway organization and will continue to serve as advocate for its mission to promote the region’s recreational opportunities and natural beauty. We take great pride in our town and the byway that passes through it.”

• Commissioners received a report from the Oakland Police Department stating that because of COVID-19, some services, such as fingerprinting, golf cart applications and minor administrative functions, have been suspended. Chief John Peek also reported the department is seeing a slight increase in simple assault-and-battery calls and domestic incidents.

• The commission proclaimed May 3 through 9 as Teacher Appreciation Week, May 10 through 16 as National Police Week, May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 17 through 23 as National Public Works Week.