More News About Lightbulbs. Our New Lightbulbs!

The ownership transition of Hudson's streetlights is in process, something City Hall has been talking about for years.  According to a National Grid worker I recently spoke with on Warren Street, once National Grid and their contractor switch all of the old incandescent lights out for LED's, our Department of Public Works will be responsible for the maintenance of all the lights, though National Grid will still own and maintain the poles.  I was told the transition should be completed in about two months.  (Hudson will continue to own and maintain the black streetlight poles not made of wood which are found on and near Warren Street.)

See the worker in the bucket in the picture above? He's not a DPW worker, but the next person replacing that bulb will be a DPW worker. While LED lights last a lot longer than the old school incandescents, the DPW bucket truck will be getting more use starting very soon.

The question is:  If DPW continues to have difficulty filling potholes, painting curbs and benches and doing some of the most basic maintenance around town, can we really expect them to find the time to replace streetlight bulbs in a timely fashion?  Are they ready to add a large task to their long list of tasks?

Enough light to read a book at the curb
at midnight and get a tan at the same time!

Apparently, the bulb on the north side of the 500 block of State Street closest to 6th Street was replaced a few days ago with an LED because it is now a blindingly bright streetlight.  It would probably be just as effective at half the wattage it's emitting now, and certainly much less intrusive.  Like the light from household LED bulbs (which I hate), this streetlight now emits a weird, uncomfortable and harsh light, not at all soft or natural.  Maybe I'll get used to it, but I'd rather not.  Where's that old slingshot of mine?

A worker making the LED transition on a
city-owned light pole on lower Warren.  The
name on the door of the truck was D&M Utility
out of ELMSFORD, NY.   National Grid
 hired a company from Westchester County
to do their work for them!

In early October (!), DPW painted the street as if
preparing to dig, placed the barrier at the curb,
 left a bucket over a small hole, left a cone on the grass
 and haven't done anything since, as if 
they have completely forgotten what they did
8 months ago. (Parkwood Boulevard)