Lights Switch Saves Thousands, DPW Installs LED Streetlghts In Westhampton Beach

When Matthew Smith first took the helm of the Department of Public Works for the Village of Westhampton Beach, he noticed that crews were deployed to replace burned out streetlights almost every day.

So he set out to both reduce the workload and save the village money at the same time by replacing all the incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs.

“The Village of Westhampton Beach wanted a way to reduce costs, reduce our carbon footprint, and yet still be able to increase the level of quality that our residents, visitors, and guests have come to enjoy,” he said. “One of the most appropriate paths to address all those items, was to complete an LED upgrade of all our streetlights.”

Mr. Smith reached out to the New York Power Authority for some guidance, and the staff was able to provide an estimate to have NYPA manage the project through subcontractors as most municipalities do. NYPA estimated that switching out all the lights would take between four and six months to complete at a cost of $292,242.80.

“However, with the knowledge of the skills and drive that my team has, I knew we could probably complete this entire project in house with our own staff with a drastic savings to the taxpayers,” Mr. Smith said.

Under direct supervisor from Mr. Smith, public works staff members Noah Hanyo and Denis Carpenter completed the job in under two months last summer. Including man hours and materials, the village expenses came in just under $115,000 for an immediate savings of roughly $177,242.80, Mr. Smith said.

But there will be long-term savings, too. Mr. Smith said monthly energy savings will run between $2,200 and $2,600. Because the new LED lights come with 10-year manufacturer warranties, annual material savings would run between $6,000 to $9,000.

The Public Works superintendent allowed that people who dislike LED streetlights generally oppose the coloration — it doesn’t replicate the warm glow chemical bulbs do. They also speak out against the upfront cost for such lighting. But, Mr. Smith said that thanks to competition and increased manufacturing savings, prices have come down in recent years.

There is a bounty of benefits to the upgrade, he said, listing reduced energy costs and reduced maintenance as the top two. The new lights also provide improved visibility and safety for roadways and sidewalks, Mr. Smith said. Using LED lights reduces the village’s carbon footprint and results in lower replacement costs since LED lights can last 4 to 10 times longer than older high-pressure sodium lights. They also reduce the electrical draw on the power grid.

Lauding the project, Village Board member Ralph Urban praised: “It’s a win win-win. Better light, lower use of electricity and lower cost.”

“Under the leadership of our superintendent, Matthew Smith, the conversion to LED streetlights throughout the village was accomplished entirely by our Department of Public Works team,” Mayor Maria Moore said Monday. “Taking on this project in-house resulted in a significant savings to the village’s taxpayers. And we can expect to see long-term energy savings and benefits as a consequence of the conversion. The talents of our DPW crew members enable us to add value to our community without contracting the work out to third parties. The trustees and I recognize and appreciate their efforts and dedication.”