HomeMy WebLinkAboutTR-32-85 v
CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE
TREASURY DEPARTMENT K. CAMPBELL, C.A., TREASURER
40 TEMPERANCE STREET TEL.(416) 623-3379
BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO
LiC 3A6
REPORT TO THE GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
MEETING OF MAY 21 , 1985
REPORT NO.: TR-32-85
SUBJECT: STREETLIGHT MAINTENANCE
RECOMMENDATION:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and
Administrative Committee recommend to Council the following:
1 . That the recommended changes in the servicing of street
lighting in Orono, Newcastle and Bowmanville as outlined
in a letter dated April 18, 1985 from the Newcastle Hydro
Electric Commission be approved; and
2. That the effect of such changes in the servicing of the
street lighting on the overall cost and efficiency of the
system be reviewed in conjunction with the Commission
prior to the presentation of the 1986 budget; and
3. That a copy of this report be forwarded to the
Newcastle Hydro Electric Commission; and
4. That the Newcastle Hydro Electric Commission be advised
of Council 's action.
BACKGROUND AND COMMENTS:
In response to Council ' s request, the Newcastle Hydro Electric
Commission has submitted a letter dated April 18th 1985
(attached) suggesting possible changes in service levels for the d
street lighting system. t
nal
TR-32-85
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The Commission's recommendations are a positive step in the
process of controlling maintenance costs of the municipal street
lighting system.
By monitoring the effects of these changes, Council , in
conjunction with the Commission, can determine any additional
changes which might be beneficial prior to the approval of the
1986 budget. The monitoring might include monthly records of the
calls received, when the calls are serviced and and the number
of complaints resulting from a loss of next day repair
service.
The Town looks to the Commission for its expertise in street
lighting. The Commissions recommendations for improvements and
updating of the system to reduce future operating costs will be
welcomed for discussion purposes, as the expertise related to
such matters within the Town is limited . The service provided
for the municipal street lighting system should be within the
guidelines and budget set by Council in consultation with the
Commission.
Although, the Town purchases the maintenance services from the
Commission, it recognizes a special relationship in that both the
Council and the Commission are elected to serve the residents of
Newcastle in the most efficient and cost effective manner. The
co-operation and advice offered in this correspondence is
evidence of the continuing good working relationship between the
Town and the Commission. This process of consultation will
TR-32-85
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ensure the street lighting system meets the current and future
needs of the residents.
Respectfully submitted ,
Kathryn A. Campbell,/G.A., B.Comm.,
Treasurer j
Ron Dupuis, P. Eng.
}' -r1 Director of Public Works
KAC:RGD:gf
Att:1
Newcastle Hydro Electric Commission
19 King Street West
Bowmanville,Ontario
LiC1R2
H.Partner,Chairman
R.L.Stevens,Vice-Chairman
W.M.Morrison,Member M.J.Watson-Manager
I.A.Hamilton,Member Telephone(416)623-4451-2
t G.B.Rickard,Mayor or 987-4073
April 18, 1985.
Corporation of the Town of Newcastle,
40 Temperance Street,
Bowmanville, Ontario.
L1C 3A6.
Attention: Mrs. Kathryn A. Campbell, C.A. , B. Comm.
Treasurer
Dear Kathryn:
Subject: Servicing Street Lighting
The subject of Street Lighting Maintenance Costs was discussed at
some length at our regular Commission Meeting last Thursday, April 11,
1985.
As a result of this discussion, our Commission feels that any change
in our present policy of servicing street lights should come through
Council via a directive.
At the present time our policy of servicing has been to carry out a
monthly patrol with a follow up of repairs the next day.
Other methods of servicing relate to individual calls whereby, when
a call is received, it is recorded and a note is made up and given to
the Foreman for action, with a response normally the same day or one day
later.
The issue relating to controlling these costs is next to impossible
as repairs are an unknown quantity. Take for instance a lightning storm,
damages can be devastating to many units resulting in additional costs.
Vandalism is also very prominent in this area whereby we return numerous
times to replace lamps that have been shot out or broken by rocks.
So from this very short explanation, it is no easy task to control
maintenance expense.
However, we do feel with some directive we will endeavour to keep
costs down and to accomplish this, we submit the following recommendations
and await a reply as to whether any or all of these should be implemented.
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(1) Eliminate the present subcontract with the firm of Mitchell
Maintenance who do a semi annual cleaning and relamping of
incandescent units.
(2) Suspend monthly night patrols and rely on people to call in
when a light is out.
(3) Service individual calls on a weekly basis, rather than on
immediate daily response.
(4) Service certain individual calls only when the daily work
routine takes the work force to that area.
(5) As a long range plan, replace all incandescent fixtures
with long life mercury vapour or high pressure sodium fixtures.
We trust the foregoing will be of some assistance in arriving at a
solution to a very delicate subject.
Yours very truly,
M.J. Watson,
Manager,
Newcastle Hydro-Electric Commission.
MJW/mw
c.c. - Members of Hydro Electric Commission
- Mrs. J. Pattrick, Office Supervisor
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