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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCGS 8-24 Acquisition of Street Lighting SOWN SF4 � `� ��//}•/��,//� /"�//� y -1/ vim-/�/, - �C�rw • w� 1540 SULLIVAN AVENUE • SOUTH WINDSOR, CT 06074 soR-CO TELEPHONE (860) 644-2511 January 20, 2016 Mayor Tom Delnicki Town of South Windsor 1540 Sullivan Avenue South Windsor CT 06074 Dear Mayor Delnicki: RE: CGS 8-24 Referral for the Acquisition of Street and outdoor Lighting Equipment from Eversource Energy and Retrofitting with LED Technology I am pleased to advise you that the South Windsor Planning and Zoning Commission, at its Regular Meeting of May 12,2015, by a vote of 4—2 with Commissioners King, Kuehnel, Marrero, and Pacekonis voting for; Commissioners Dexter and Carroll voting against; and Commissioner Bonzani abstaining, forwarded a favorable review of the above mentioned project. For your reference,minutes regarding this referral from the May 12,2015 meeting are enclosed. Sincerely, Bart Pacekonis, Chairman PLANNING&ZONING COMMISSION BP/llz Enclosure cc: Town Manager Director of Public Works Town Attorney Clerk of the Council TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR PLANNING &ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES -2- MAY 12 2015 5. The fire marshal has reviewed this request. He is ok with the storage on the side; however he has asked Lowe's to keep the fire lane around the building clear and has required them to relocated pallets from that area. 6. The wording of the T& C permit regulation is that, "Temporary and conditional permits may be granted by the Commission for a use which is not specified elsewhere in these regulations for a period not to exceed two years. Such approval may be given after a Public Hearing if, in the judgment of the Commission,the public convenience and welfare will be substantially served, and the appropriate use of neighboring property will not be substantially or permanently injured,and traffic and other hazards will not result from such use." If this application is approved,the planning department has no modifications to request. No one from the public spoke for or against the application. Commissioner Dexter asked about the seasonal use and when the area would revert back to the smaller size. Mr. Owens replied after July the smaller configuration will be used with no use in winter months. Commissioner Marrero asked about the outdoor display at the front of the store. Ms. Lipe stated it was included in the original 2011 approval. The Chairman closed the public hearing at 7:38 p.m. REGULAR MEETING/MADDEN ROOM CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Pacekonis opened the Regular Meeting at 7:3 8 p.m. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: NEW BUSINESS: Discussion/Decision/Action regarding the following: 1. Town Council CGS 8-24 Referral for the Acquisition of Street and Outdoor Lighting Equipment from Eversource Energy and Retrofitting with LED Technology Town Councilor Steve Wagner described a program to purchase street and outdoor lighting equipment from Eversource which would then be retrofitting with LED technology resulting in cost savings to the town. . Councilor Wagner stated the Energy Committee has been working since last fall developing a plan to convert town street lights from high pressure sodium lights to LED technology which uses considerably less energy. A handout was distributed to the Commissioners. The program would require the town to buy the street lights from Eversource,which presently charges the town$460,000 annually, and then to convert the lights to LED technology. This would result in energy cost savings to the Town after conversion of about$300,000 a year however maintenance and insurance costs would be added. The dark sky compliant LED technology is more efficient and requires fewer fixtures to create current levels of illumination. Bulb life is proposed to be significantly longer(20 years compared to the present 5 to 6 year life time)which makes accepting maintenance costs easier. East Hartford has replaced most all their street lights to LEDs which can be observed there. The Chairman asked about lighting for condominium developments in town. Mr. Wagner stated this project relates to town owned lights and if condo associations want to participate they could purchase their own lights at similar pricing negotiated for the town. Commissioner King asked whether the cost of retrofitting was justified when all street lights produced will soon be required to have LED technology. The Chairman asked if Eversource will be independently retrofitting the street lights within the next 5 years. The Councilor stated studies show costs of LED lights going down 12% TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR PLANNING &ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES -3- MAY 12 2015 each year where as labor costs rise at least 2%each year. Delaying the project could cost the town"a couple $100,000". Commissioner Marrero stated the utilities gave towns funding when the traffic signals were converted to LED and asked if the utility company had been contacted for this project. Mr. Wagner noted an estimated incentive of'$271, 698 provided by the State.government and perhaps the utility. Eversource will be responsible for all conduits going to the poles but the Town would be responsible for the poles and fixtures. The maintenance of the poles would then be contracted out. East Hartford and three other towns in Connecticut have made the change over. A contractor will do an investment grade audit of all street lights in town which will provide the basis for negotiations with Eversource. Chairman Pacekonis noted flood lights on utility poles which shine on commercial properties. Mr. Wagner stated it will be addressed in the audit. Once the lower rate from Eversource is established bills will be audited to assure the Town is not being overcharged. The full audit is estimated to be complete in October and then a contract can be negotiated. Commissioner Carroll asked about upfront costs for the audit. Mr. Wager answered$70,000 or$80,000. Commissioner Bonzani arrived. Commissioner Kuehnel made a motion to make a referral with favorable report. Commissioner Marrero seconded the motion. Chairman Pacekonis re-appointed Alternate Commissioner King to be seated for Commissioner Foley. The motion passed 4 -2 with Commissioners King,Kuehnel,Marrero, and Pacekonis voting for, Commissioners Dexter and Carroll voting against, and Commissioner Bonzani abstaining. 2. Appl. 15-14P,Ticket Network Site Plan-review of required landscape buffer on property located at 83 Gerber Road,I zone Ticket Network facilities manager, Mr. Seth Resnickoff,requested by email to reschedule the landscape buffer plan review. 3. Preliminary discussion with Ticket Network regarding expansion of farming activities on property located at 83 Gerber Road, I zone Commissioner King abstained from participating in the discussion and recused herself as an employee of Ticket Network. Mr. Darnell Goldson,public relation director for Ticket Network, discussed the potential of adding a herd of goats,which Ticket Network would like to house temporarily in order to save them from euthanasia,to their farming activities permitted by a temporary and conditional permit which expires in June. The herd of 100 neglected goats has recently been taken in by the State which has received `about a dozen' offers to take them. The State will be releasing a plan for the herd in the coming weeks. Director of Planning Lipe stated a temporary and conditional permit through the public hearing process would be the way to address concerns about best animal practices and the potential of odor and noise. A management plan and manure plan would be reviewed by the Health Department.