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City approves LED lighting

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City approves LED lighting

SOMERSWORTH — Energy efficient lighting is coming to the Hilltop City.

The Somersworth City Council on Monday approved a deal with Affinity LED Lighting of Dover to convert 749 streetlights to LED, which stands for “light emitting diode.” LED lights consume less electricity and last longer than conventional bulbs.

The cost of the project is $181,882, but at the request of City Manager Bob Belmore, the council approved $200,000 to include a contingency so that the city can handle any street lights that might not be on the Eversource ledger.

Belmore said some of the extra funds can be used to change out lights in city parking lots if needed.

The city is also receiving money from Eversource, which required the city to move quickly on the project to qualify.

“Eversource is committing $73,725 in incentive funding,” Belmore said. “With this funding, we anticipate about a two-year payback with the project and then we will be saving about $56,000 a year.”

The project includes a survey to confirm the actual number of street lights in the city and disposal of the old fixtures and bulbs.

Affinity LED was recently awarded contracts in Portsmouth, Rochester and Dover for similar projects.

Affinity principals Steve Lieber and John Branagan attended the City Council meeting and displayed examples of the new lights.

Lieber said Affinity manufactures its lights at the Washington Street Mills in Dover and they are proud to hire local veterans.

The company completing projects in Merrimack and Claremont and has begun the Portsmouth conversion. Lieber said all Tri-City area projects will be completed by the end of the year.

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