Main Street Lights

 

my solution:

Assuming a "final" cost( or approx.)  for lighting/installation has been agreed and properly pro-rated to the affected property owners:

The minor cost of the public sector could be picked up by the same neighborhood association that offered to pay 1/2 of that cost. Why 50% of such a small #? Why not simply cover it all since they recieve the benefit?

 

Create a pro-rated monthly assessment for the increased monthly cost(400%!!) of operating this lighting. Same could be done in the Highlands area, the former downtown area, and anywhere else where this expensive lighting has been installed. Since it has become so easy for the city to add new costs/fees to water/sewer/trash billing invoices(and city already plans to add a fee for streetlight maintenence/power), this monthly assessment could be added also.The areas featuring this more expensive lighting are areas of greater affluence than the areas without. There should be no increased financial hardship created for those with less income for services not fully recieved.  It simply isn't fair. As utility costs increase, everyones' share increases,

 

Since this new lighting is so much safer and illuminating, it should be installed everywhere when road improvements are made"(especially since installation has become so affordable in this case!). I surely want it on my street, and in less safe areas of the community that have more walker traffic. Soon everyone will be sharing the cost equally, while recieving full benefit from the more efficient, effective and safe street lamping.

 

Opinions?

 

And if so, the difference of $1,000 is so nominal, then why can't the residents in that area benefitting simply pick up the minor balance right? If there are about 32 residents here, or perhaps that was the 60% required to pass it, its about $32.00 each, the cost of the monthy DSL bill. So, I agree...they should pay it, its negligible.

 

I would have great and keen interest to keep the topic and eye on any attempts the city had to raise $3.50 monthly, for any Duke maintenance fee on lighting in Middletown. On two occasions, I have callled Duke and they have come out and immediately changed the light bulb in the street light next to my driveway, with no city involvement. I also do not comprehend why that is a dublicate bill, as some aspect of any lighting would come out of the .25% increase in general public safety.

 

Any attempt to make a few $ a month times all the total street lamps, when it is also being gotten elsewhere, is absolutely wrong. This is one I'd like to ask others to keep their eyes on, as really get into the details, if indeed, the city passes on a $3.50 monthly maintenance for the Duke lighting.

 

Middletown, between the two tax levies including the nonsensical one especially for paying down Sr Citizen debt, is just driving more and more away from the city sinking in despair.