From the Desk of the Town Administrator

by Michael Canales with Laura Dubester, Chair, Stockbridge Green Communities Committee

In the next six to eight weeks the Town of Stockbridge will be replacing its hodgepodge of incandescent, mercury vapor, and high-pressure sodium streetlights with LEDs. This upgrade will take place in the residential areas only, not the downtown.

In addition to the reduced energy costs and lower replacement costs, LEDs result in reduced light pollution at night and improved and more uniform light quality. Although 'truer' to natural color, LEDs make colors look brighter. Police and other safety personnel prefer LEDs because objects appear brighter and sharper.

Lower energy consumption and operating costs that come with an LED street lighting retrofit result in reduced greenhouse gas emissions, making this an important choice for towns who seek environmentally sustainable solutions.

Will the new lighting be different? Yes, while the lighting levels are equivalent, the 'kelvin temperature' is lower and the new streetlights will be more "dark skies friendly." Existing fixtures tend to produce a bright spot directly underneath the fixture while LED streetlights are designed to evenly distribute light. This dispersion of light improves visibility by decreasing sudden contrast between light and dark areas. Nevertheless, the streetlights may appear brighter. We hope that the adjustment will be easy.

This project was funded by a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER), a rebate from National Grid and a contribution from the Town of Stockbridge.

For more information or any concerns after installation, such as shining in a window or onto your property or interfering with night-time activities, please call Michael Canales, Town Administrator.

BBG Barn Raising. Photo courtesy Felix Carroll, Berkshire Botanical Garden