Tie a Yellow (Pink) Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree (Light Pole)!

The tale of Tredyffrin’s burned out street lights continues . . .  

Based on comments from several people on Community Matters, I started a mini-research project of non-working streetlights in the township.  As one person explained, the streetlight poles are marked with pink ribbons if they need new light bulbs.  Sure enough, I see a number of street light poles on Chesterbrook Boulevard tied with bright pink ribbons.  On Mill Road, at the entrance of the Tredyffrin Township building, there are three light poles right in a row with apparent burned-out light bulbs as they each have pink ribbons. 

Question . . . What is the time line for replacement light bulbs on those light poles adorned with ribbons?  I don’t know.  I also don’t know how long the ribbons have been on these poles.  And I've been told that there are more than just the 3 lights out at the township building location.

 Based on some of the comments on Community Matters, I assumed that the Public Works staff was the ones replacing the burned-out light bulbs.  However, according to the township website, streetlight maintenance and repair is not handled in-house but is a contracted service.  My guess is that the township staff marks the street poles with pink ribbons and then the outside company does the necessary light bulb changing.   Again, not clear how long it takes to get a new light bulb after it is reported and the staff adds the pink ribbon.  Residents can fill out an online township form with location details for light poles requiring new light bulbs or other maintenance issues.

Researching on the township website, I discovered that Tredyffrin owns and operates 1,824 lights. Who knew?  The use of the word ‘owns’ may be accurate; but I think we need to address the ‘operating’ part. 

It is my understanding that PECO actually owns the light poles and the township pays a flat fee for the poles – and it appears that we pay by the pole, regardless if there is a working light bulb or not.  There had been some discussion and I hope movement towards changing the regular light bulbs to LED bulbs.  LED light bulbs have a higher front end cost than regular light bulbs but they last much longer and are much more energy efficient.

It is somewhat interesting to see where the township ‘was’ and where it is ‘now’ on the subject of light bulbs. I wonder what happened to the upgrading of the streetlights to LED plan in the township. 

Gosh, at this point, I just want to see all the burned-out light bulbs prioritized (and replaced)!  Seems to me that this discussion could also fall under the category of resident ‘safety’.

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