Department of Public Works
Street Light Policy
I. PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy is to establish a consistent and standardized process to be used by the City of Fitchburg to determine the placement of streetlights. The policy is intended to provide a procedure for review and approval/denial of streetlight requests, and to provide an ongoing system of prioritizing the need for future installation of streetlights.
Public streetlights are not designed to light private property, nor to provide home security improvements that are the private homeowner’s responsibility. Street lights requested for protection of private property should be made directly to the appropriate utility company, and the applicant is responsible for installation, operation and maintenance costs. Also, residents have the option to install their own outdoor lighting systems for security.
II. STATEMENT OF POLICY:
The purpose of public streetlights is intended to ensure the safety of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
The City of Fitchburg will determine the placement of street lights according to the following criteria:
1. Initial installation of public streetlights in new developments is regulated by the Planning Board, and they are installed in accordance with the Planning Board approved site plan.
2. Any streetlights requested outside of new developments shall be as follows:
Streetlights should be placed along streets and roads where increased lighting is necessary for the safety of motor and pedestrian traffic. In general, streetlights may be considered at the following locations:
i. Intersections.
ii. Dangerous curves or significant changes in the roadway, whether they are horizontal or vertical.
iii. Dead end streets and cul-de-sacs that are longer than 300 feet.
iv. Between intersections where the spacing of lights exceeds 1000 feet. Street lights between intersections should generally be located at lot lines and near fire hydrants.
v. Street locations with a high motor vehicle accident history.
vi. Street locations where potentially hazardous or unsafe road conditions have been identified.
vii. Other areas with a high accident history.
The City will not be responsible for streetlights that are installed to illuminate private property or private driveways.
III. OBJECTIVE CRITERIA FOR CONSIDERATION:
Street lighting is a discretionary action. The City of Fitchburg will consider roadway safety, costs, excess lighting onto nearby homes, and energy consumption when making recommendations and decisions about new streetlight installations.
IV. POLICY FOR APPROVAL:
Requests for streetlights will be evaluated by the City of Fitchburg Public Works Commissioner and Police Chief (or their designees) and approved or denied by the Mayor, based on the following objective criteria:
1. The streetlight is needed to improve the safety of the motoring public as described in Purpose of Streetlights;
2. Other methods of increasing safety such as the use of signs, reflectors and paint do not produce sufficient warning;
3. Improve safety of pedestrian crossings; and
4. Budgetary constraints.
V. PROCEDURE FOR EVALUATION OF NEED AND APPROVAL:
The process for approval for installation of a streetlight or reactivation of an existing streetlight by the Mayor will begin in one of two ways: Citizen Request, and ongoing City Review of Need.
A. Citizen request:
1. Requests for streetlights may be made by residents, business operators, institutions, and other interested parties.
2. The request will be forwarded to the Police Chief and Commissioner of Public Works (or their designees) for a public safety evaluation of need. They will conduct an evaluation of the streetlight application, prepare a report of the location’s characteristics, motor vehicle accident history, and potential hazards and unsafe road conditions of the location, and submit the report and recommendation to the Mayor for action.
3. If the request is denied, the Mayor will inform the citizen making the request.
4. If the request is approved, the Mayor shall direct the order for a new streetlight or reactivation of an existing streetlight, and will inform the citizen making the request.
5. The actual date of installation will be determined by funds budgeted annually for street lighting. The Department of Public Works will oversee the installation and arrangements will be made with the appropriate electric company.
B. City Review of Need
1. The Police Department or Department of Public Works may identify streetlight need at locations identified from routine patrol as areas in need of future streetlight installation, and forward those reports to the Mayor.
2. The Mayor will consider the findings of the report, weigh the criteria and considerations described above in this policy, finalize a recommendation, and make a determination.
3. If the Mayor approves the addition of the location, he/she will direct the Department of Public Works to arrange for the installation or reactivation.
VI. APPLICATION:
Any person requesting a street light shall do so by completing the attached application and mailing it to:
City of Fitchburg
Department of Public Works
718 Main Street
Fitchburg, MA 01420
VII. EQUIPMENT:
1. The City of Fitchburg Department of Public Works will determine the type and installation details of the lighting, including determining the: luminaire type, wattage, mounting height, light distribution pattern, and in the case of multiple lights an installation pattern.
2. Public Works shall consult with the electric company to determine feasibility of new lighting technologies to reduce operating and maintenance costs.
3. Existing poles will be used whenever possible.
June 2009