Earthy stuff
City saves planet
According to City Manager Tom Aspell’s weekly memo, engineering services and fire alarm staff are testing the use of reduced street lighting during late-night hours. The idea is to help reduce energy costs. Tom writes, “The test is being conducted on nine of the city’s ornamental street-light fixtures along Water Street, between the intersections at Hall Street and West Street. Staff has installed low-cost timers that turn off every other light fixture during the late-night hours, from midnight to 5 a.m., when vehicle and pedestrian traffic is very light.” Good idea, guys. According to my mom, anyone who’s out past 11 p.m. is up to no good, so you could start even earlier.
How long is this test, Tom? “The test will be run for the next few months to allow monitoring of energy consumption and pedestrian safety. If successful, the alternating on-off pattern during the wee hours may be extended to include all of the city’s ornamental street lights.”
Are all street lights ornamental or just some of them? Maybe you can get back to us on that next week.
Fun, fun!
Traffic delays
Work is being done in several of the areas city that Tom would like drivers to be aware of. Because we know nothing about street work lingo, we’ll let Tom tell you the details: “On Wednesday, May 13, and Thursday, May 14, the contractor will be replacing the water valve on Hutchins Street, at its intersection with Fisherville Road. Work will commence at 9 p.m. on May 13 and continue until 6 a.m. on May 14. Traffic will be detoured to Garrison Street during this time period. Affected residents on Hutchins Street and a section of Knight Street will not have water during this time. Staff is coordinating with the Boscawen Water Precinct and the Fire Department to ensure adequate water supply to address any emergencies that may occur during this time frame.”
Great. Thanks, Tom. This section sound so much better when you do the talking. Now, one more traffic item and then it’s time for me to get a snack. This one affects the South End water main cleaning and lining.
“The contractor will mobilize to the south end next week,” writes Tom. “A temporary water bypass will be installed on Dunklee (between Pillsbury and West Streets), Kimball, Humphrey and Gilmore Streets. Traffic interruptions will be minimal.”
