RINGTOWN — The street lighting in Ringtown will be a bit brighter and less expensive to operate once new energy-efficient bulbs are installed in the near future.
At February’s meeting, the Ringtown Borough Council discussed the program from PPL Electric Utilities Inc. to remove the current incandescent bulbs and replace them with LED lights. Council President Julian Milewski said an application was submitted for the PPL program.
“PPL called me back to say they accepted our application and they’re drawing up the contract,” Milewski said.
The borough has 97 streets lights. The savings will be $36.59 per month in total. The total installation cost to the borough is $172, which is the cost of replacing one bulb that is fewer 10 years old. The other 96 bulbs will be replaced at no cost.
According to PPL billing rates, the borough would save $440 in electric costs, but Milewski said the borough receives its electricity from another generation company, so the savings will be higher.
“So the minimum amount of savings will be $440,” he said.
The bulb replacement should begin in about two months, Milewski said.
“Last longer, less cost, less electrical cost,” Milewski said, adding that the new bulbs will be brighter. “We’re getting them all changed at one time and we’ll save a buck.”
Councilman David Seresky made the motion to accept the office, which was seconded by Councilman James Compton Sr.
In other business, Milewski read his prepared report to the council and the public about where the borough stands on different matters.
“First of all, I would like to thank all of you for the trust you have placed with me once again and for your continuing support,” Milewski said. “Considering our size, Ringtown Borough is in good shape. Our water system has been upgraded, and the majority of our roads are in decent shape. I have some reservations on the state of the sewer system. Hopefully that will be addressed as time goes on. But there is still work that needs to be done.
“Tonight I would like to set a few goals for council to work toward over the next four years,” he continued. “Working as a team, together being the central point, we can make things happen. The committee assignment roster shows little change. Each committee assignment will still have two members. Per Roberts Rules of Order, the president serves on all committees. As before, with your approval, the day-to-day operations of the borough remain the responsibility of the council president and vice president by consensus of council. We are currently working on a stormwater drainage area on East Main Street in need of remediation. Hopefully we can get that done in 2016 using liquid fuels funding.”
Milewski said, “Then there is The Ringtown school building. Again the disposition of the building and property needs to be completed with the benefit going to the borough. Together, with cooperation, I feel we can get there. I am asking all council to band together and push for these goals and any others that we as council may come into as the year goes on. With your help and support, together we can get this done.”
During the citizen’s petitions portion of the meeting, a complaint was received about the County Waste trash cans being left on the sidewalks or the roadway.
“Get your empty containers off the sidewalks because if they’re blocking the sidewalks, you can cited for obstructing a walkway,” Milewski said. “Council is kindly asking people not to leave their empty garbage cans and take them in as soon as possible. I came home from my church on Sunday and there’s a church right up from me and people had to walk out on the street to go to the church.”
Resident Dennis Bauer told the council that there are feral cats on the east end of Main Street and they are getting into his garage. He asked if the borough could do anything about the issue. Milewski said he will talk to the health officer. Bauer also complained about drainage issues in front of his property and said stone needs to be put there again. Milewski said it will be addressed in the spring.
Seresky received a request for the girls softball team to use the school gym for practicing. He was told that there is no power, no bathroom facilities and no heat in the building. Since it is also a liability issue, the organization is welcome to see if their insurance would cover it, but the council is not in favor of them using the facility because of the above mentioned reasons.
Borough Christmas lighting committee member Roger Brouse inquired about storing the Christmas lights in the school. This issue was tabled until the borough solicitor and insurance company could be contracted.