By Kevin Sabo For the Advance
After some deliberation and testing of various options, the Town of Castor council has opted to begin converting existing streetlights over to LED streetlights.
The move comes as a way for the town to cut operating costs on electricity, with the new 41-watt LED lights using a fraction of the power that currently used by the sodium-based lights. The town, in conjunction with ATCO Electric, has been testing various LED solutions in town since winter and have decided to move ahead with lower cost 41W LED lights through most of town, although in several areas where they are not bright enough an “Intersection” light will be used due to its broader light throw.
Due to the reduced energy usage in the long run, the cost to install and operate the new light fixtures will be about the same as running the current sodium-based lights, however, maintenance costs will be reduced as the fixtures supplied by ATCO Electric have a 10-year warranty and an estimated 20 to 25 year life expectancy.
Council voted unanimously in favour of making the transition at the July 23 council meeting, with the work expected to begin within a few weeks, depending on ATCO’s schedule.
Other highlights of the July 23 council meeting:
• A public hearing was held on Bylaw 1061-Borrowing Bylaw for the arena renovation project. No members of the public participated, and the Bylaw subsequently passed second and third reading, securing funding for the town portion of the arena.
• Council was presented with a Memorandum of Agreement between The Town of Coronation, the County of Paintearth, and the Town of Castor to form a joint board known as the Coronation & District Seniors Housing Society. Council declined signing until more information is available and discussion is had.
• Castor Rec Board has approached council to approve an after-school program run under the Camp Beavertail banner. Council conditionally approved the program to start in September, provided it can be done on a cost-effective basis.
• AUC has notified Castor that the proposed Paintearth Wind Project southwest of town has amended the proposal to include 42 turbines, instead 44 initially proposed.
• Council started taking tenders on the proposed upgrades to the new firehall at the edge of town. Tenders will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Aug. 7 and discussed at next council meeting on Aug. 13.
• CAO Sandi Jackson informed council two properties are in arrears, and the process has been started to arrange a tax sale this fall, with a date to be determined.