Q1: Give me the short version of what’s going on.
Q2: Have we looked at all possible options?
Q3: Are the lights Dark Sky compliant?
Q4: How would the lights be maintained?
Q5: Will Craneridge installed lights really light up the intersections?
Q6: Will the lights bother immediate neighbors?
Q8: Craneridge installed lights seem expensive. How would we pay for them?
Q1: Give me the short version of what’s going on.
After almost 60 years, the gas lights in Craneridge were removed in 2024. The Town of Concord however, is requiring lighting in our neighborhood. As the Town is responsible for our public streets, they are well within their rights with this requirement. This gave us 2 options: 1) allow to Town to install overhead cobra style lights like you see on most public streets or 2) install our own more aesthetically pleasing pedestal style lights at the key intersections. After multiple meetings, a petition in August 2024 with over 130 signatures, and survey conducted in November 2024, the BOD has agreed to move forward with installing pedestal style LED lights similar to the demonstration lights at the Meadow
Q2: Have we looked at all possible options?
This project is almost as old as Craneridge – literally decades. Feedback has been gathered by the current lighting committee as well as past iterations to review numerous options including but not limited to: solar lights, keeping the gas lights, replacing all 150+ gas lights with LEDs, handing out flashlights to all residents, candles, residents installing their own street lights, etc. The long term viability of all options has been reviewed and this is what came out as the best option
Q3: Are these lights Dark Sky compliant?
Yes. The pedestal style street lights are Dark Sky compliant.
Q4: How would the lights be maintained?
The pedestal style lights would be maintained and paid for by Craneridge. Maintenance should be minimal, but is baked into the cost estimates. If needed, this could be outsourced to the installers or any number of other companies as well.
Q5: Will Craneridge installed lights really light up the intersections?
Yes. The lights at the meadow light the road sufficiently for the Town’s standards. The LEDs can be focused more into the road as needed.
Q6: Will the lights bother immediate neighbors?
Shields can be added to the Craneridge installed pedestal lights to minimize any light where we don’t want it.
Q7: Why are we only talking about lighting the intersections? I think we should replace all the gas lights with LEDs.
Adding lighting to the intersection addresses immediate concerns brought up by some residents and the Town, while also reducing cost. However, the option of Craneridge installed pedestal lights does build the infrastructure needed to add additional lights in the future if the community desires.
Q8: Craneridge installed lights seem expensive. How would we pay for them?
The estimated price tag may be a shock, but remember 1) that this cost is split by 170+ lots and 2) it’s still a lot cheaper than what we have historically paid for the gas lights. In the past 15 years, we have spent almost $500,000 on gas lights. That number will be slashed to under $110,000 over the next 15 years and even less when the loan is paid off. We have reserves available and plan to borrow at an affordable rate.
We are finalizing financing details with the bank, a memorandum of understanding with the Town, and a start date with our contractor. We hope to break ground this spring!
Do you have any questions that were not answered?
Please reach out to slewandowski92@gmail.com or bowen.cory@gmail.com for additional info or feedback.
Craneridge Homeowners Association 