Sumpter Twp. Board approves $32,225 switch to LED streetlights

At its June 28 regular meeting, the Sumpter Township Board of Trustees approved a 2017 light conversion project through DTE Energy that will refit 95 street lights in the township with LED lighting.
The estimated cost is $32,225 for Sumpter with a DTE contribution of $1,984.
Annual savings are estimated at $7,739.18, with the payback in about 3.66 years.
DTE Account Manager for Community Lighting Lance Alley said the price quoted is an estimate only. Final costs cannot be calculated until 2017 energy optimization rebates and material costs are finalized.
After Sumpter approved the agreement and the payment is made, DTE will begin final design and construction scheduling.
The township already has two LED lights at Graham Park, said Deputy Supervisor Karen Armatis, who presented the proposal to the board.
Attorney Rob Young said a savings of just short of $50,000 in ten years is expected.
Armatis said the township’s request for a new street light at the dangerous Wilmot/Kozma corner is not a part of this project. She said DTE is considering that new light and the township was informed it must wait four weeks for an estimate. She said they have been waiting only two weeks, so far.
In other business at the June 28 meeting, the board:
• Heard Clerk Clarence Hoffman report that residents of Sully Drive have requested another street light at its unlit entrance. Young said that probably would be a special assessment district if the sub truly wanted lights;
• Approved a medical leave of absence from the paid-per-call fire department for Michael McHenry, who said he was on medical leave from his main job until August;
• Approved hiring Colleen Armatis as a fire fighter;
• Heard Trustee Don Swinson announce that the Parks and Recreation Commission’s Family Fun Day starts at noon on July 23 at Graham Park with games and food;
• Heard attorney Young say at the last meeting the board reviewed changes to the dangerous animal ordinance. He said he would modify the existing ordinance following board member input and bring it back to one of the meetings in July for board consideration;
• Heard board members defend themselves from statements made by opposing candidates for office at the recent candidates’ forum by the League of Women Voters. “Does it really surprise you there are unsubstantiated allegations during election season?” said attorney Young;
• Heard Mary Ban say she missed the candidate forum because she had to be at church that night. She said she has been coming to board meetings for 40 years and hasn’t seen these candidates coming to meetings until now. She said she supports consistency. “After the [election] season’s over they’ll be all gone,” she said. (Only one opposition candidate was at the June 28 meeting.);
• Heard Ban ask about lagoons, since she has learned about a lagoon in Van Buren Township that smells terrible and a person she knows who lives in that mobile home park wants to know who to contact for help. It was suggested she might call Wayne County Commissioner Al Haidous. She also asked about the recent accident that closed Rawsonville Road between Bemis and Willis. Police Chief Eric Luke said it was a single vehicle rollover crash in front of Scot’s Collision. Minor injuries, he said; and
• Heard Ban suggest that those answering the phone at township hall should identify themselves. Supervisor John Morgan said that was a good idea and he always welcomes tips on how to improve service to the community.