By Stephen Vance, Staff
The Municipality of Meaford will continue its mission to go green with a plan approved by council on September 14 to convert all municipal street lights to LED technology.
“Local Authority Services (LAS), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, is offering a turnkey LED streetlight program to the municipal market as LAS is confident that the technology is reliable, superior, and now very cost-effective,” wrote Meaford’s Director of Financial Services, Darcy Chapman, in his report to council. “The LED streetlight conversion project developed by LAS provides the Municipality with a unique opportunity to both save a significant amount on electricity and maintenance costs each year as well as improve the existing streetlight infrastructure. These types of fixtures increase the quality of light for residents and visitors as well as improve the natural environment by reducing light trespass and energy consumption.”
Chapman told council that the municipality has 720 light fixtures that consume 483,063 kWh annually at a cost to the municipality of nearly $95,000 for electricity costs plus an additional $11,000 annually for maintenance.
After the conversion to LED lighting is completed, Meaford’s electricity costs for street lights will drop by 59 percent to roughly $39,000 per year, and maintenance costs will all but be eliminated as a result of the conversion.
Converting to LED lighting will also mean that Meaford can avoid replacing its bucket truck when it reaches the end of its serviceable life, Chapman told council.
Chapman said that the municipality will finance the net cost of the LED conversion of $408,762 through an Infrastructure Ontario loan that will be repaid over a 10 year period. While concern for municipal debt is often expressed by ratepayers, Chapman assured council that in this case, debt is being taken on wisely.
“Borrowing costs are estimated at $45,600 per year with the cost of interest charges over the ten year period totalling $47,000. Annual projected energy costs are estimated at $39,300 with maintenance costs of $2,300. Therefore the Street Light budget will decrease by $19,000 a year starting in 2016 until the loan is repaid and then increasing to $64,600 annually (when the loan is paid off),” said Chapman.
Councillor Mike Poetker agreed with the treasurer.
“This is good debt. Imagine debt that makes money, well done,” expressed Poetker before council unanimously approved the plan.
