Wheaton residents are being asked to weigh in on what kinds of LED light fixtures they would like to see in the village.
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“The old fixture(s) (are) from the ’70s,” said Wheaton street superintendent Mike Wakefield.
“Now since about 2001, parts are basically really hard to get,” he said. “We’re going to get a grant to help fund this.”
To weigh in, residents must first view the sample lights. Ten sample street lights have been installed along Briarcliff Boulevard between Brentwood Lane and Butterfield Road. Light poles are marked with signs lettered A through J.
Wakefield said it is important to look at the lights both during the day and after dark. One of the differences in the fixtures is how the light is diffused, and that can make a difference in how well or directly a street is illuminated.
Residents can cast their votes on the city website at wheaton.il.us.
Wakefield said the city really does not know how much each light fixture will cost because while one light fixture might be priced at $500, when the city orders 300 fixtures, the price per unit could be discounted by half. The city does know, however, which of the light options between A and J is the least expensive, but they did not reveal that.
“You can’t say, until you go out to bid, how much it’s going to cost you,” he said.
He did say, however, that the least expensive option isn’t very popular.
“The one that is the cheapest, nobody likes,” Wakefield said.
But, he added, cost is not the only issue.
“We’re going to take everything into consideration,” he said.
Residents have until Sept. 15 to cast their vote.
“We’re going to go to the City Council after Sept. 15 and say this is what people like, these are the prices,” Wakefield said.
The decision to replace the lights is one of necessity, Wakefield said.
“Over 600 light fixtures date back to the 1970s,” he said. “We’re going to replace a third of them (this year).
“It’s a three-year project.”
Wheaton officials said the new lights will be more energy-efficient, provide environmental benefits and reduce maintenance hours by the staff.