As the Town of Thompson continues to move forward in economic development and overall quality of life for residents, the latest technology will be lighting the way ahead…

LED lights are now being installed throughout the Town as part of a strategic plan to improve public safety, reduce energy consumption, and lower costs. The LED initiative is in partnership with New York Power Authority (NYPA) under the Smart Street Lighting NY program.

“As the economic driver for Sullivan County, our Town takes responsibility for maintaining that position. That’s why we are investing in the latest LED technology that strengthens our infrastructure and provides key benefits to our businesses, residents, and visitors,” explained Town Supervisor Bill Rieber, Jr.

Now, let’s take a closer look at (and shed some light on) how the LED technology will move Thompson towards an even brighter future.

Perfect Timing to Make the Switch to LED

The Town of Thompson prides itself on being an innovator, deploying creative solutions that save taxpayers money while improving their lives.

So, when streetlights recently began going out with greater frequency, the Town saw an opportunity.

Most streetlights around Town were previously owned by NYSEG. The Town paid rent to NYSEG for use of the fixtures. Many of these fixtures had been around for decades, and were at the end of their lifecycle.

Instead of continuing to pay rent (as well as repair costs) to NYSEG, the Town decided to take ownership of its streetlights in February 2021. This month, the Town has started installing its own fixtures. And these fixtures are LED-based, so estimated energy savings will be at least 60%. The energy cost savings will initially go towards covering the purchase of the new fixtures.

“Of course, our priority is replacing the streetlights that have gone out, but it’s not just a simple swap from basic bulb to LED bulb. We are looking at LED lighting as a powerful tool we can deploy to expand and enhance the usability of areas around our Town,” said Sewer and Water Superintendent, Mike Messenger who is in charge of the project.

Lighting the Way for Businesses and People Along Route 42

For evidence that Thompson is on the move forward, look no further than the rapidly growing Route 42 Business Corridor. National retailers, hotels, and popular local businesses are opening or expanding, which is attracting more residents and visitors.

The Town has taken steps to ensure that bright, welcoming, and safe LED lighting is shining on these areas of high pedestrian and auto traffic. Therefore, lighting becomes an economic “spark” – making it safer and easier for people to take advantage of all the businesses along Route 42.

Currently, the lighting is just scattered at random along the corridor. Now, construction has started on the installation of LED lighting systems that will do the following:

  • Extend lighting down Anawana Lake Road, past Walmart and up Concord Road to the Garnet Health Center
  • Expand lighting up Golden Ridge Road the 324 new apartments, thereby encouraging residents to walk to surrounding businesses
  • Install new lighting near the new hotel being built to also make the area more inviting to visitors
  • Upgrade the lighting at the Thompson Mall entrance so it’s brighter and safer

“We want to light up the night and create an inviting, bustling business district along the Route 42 corridor. Our goal is a pleasantly bright and safe environment – even at 8pm on a wintry January night,” said Rieber.

Again, taxpayers will not be carrying these costs. A new lighting district will be created that consists of businesses along Route 42, who will benefit from the upgraded LED lighting.

Smart Nodes Make a Bright Idea Even Brighter in Rock Hill

New LED lighting is making its way into the Rock Hill area, in a very unique manner. With the LED lighting, comes much-need wi-fi connectivity.

The secret is in the LED fixture, which is actually a “smart node” that is part of a larger system controlled by the Town. Think of this smart node like an Amazon Alexa smart plug.

The Town can fully control LED lighting coverage – making it brighter where it is needed such as near the firehouse and the Glen Wild intersection. The lights can also be dimmed for cost savings from midnight to 5am or for special occasions, such as during fireworks shows.

The smart node also provides wi-fi connections to nearby restaurants, hotels, and businesses that have gone with minimal or no cellular service for years.

With the new wi-fi connection, businesses can better serve customers. For example, the Rock Hill Farmers Market can now accept credit/debit transactions and restaurant patrons can easily use cell   phones for calls and  to send and receive text messages.

“In addition to improved lighting, the smart nodes are powering economic development and quality of life in exciting ways throughout the Town. In the future, there may be even more uses for these smart devices,” added Deputy Supervisor Melinda Meddaugh.

The smart LED lighting in the Rock Hill was made possible in part by a Smart Cities Grant of $120,000 to offset the costs of the smart node technology.

Lighting the Communities of Emerald Green and Lake Louise Marie

Another area where LED lighting is making a positive impact are the communities of Emerald Green and Lake Louise Marie.

NYSEG also owned the fixtures in these areas, but the Town recently took ownership. The Town is currently retrofitting the fixture heads to accommodate LED bulbs. Poles will be replaced where necessary as well.

When repairs or upkeep are needed down the line? The Town will outsource to a private company that has a very fast turnaround as opposed to the current timeline of waiting months. In addition, the LED technology will automatically send an alert to the Town that the light is out.

The Town also partnered with Guth DeConzo Engineering to take a proactive approach to lighting these communities. Engineers assessed the optimal locations for lighting to enhance aesthetics while improving safety for drivers and pedestrians.

Ultimately, LED lighting will transform both the appearance and functionality of the public spaces that we use most. At the same time, this energy-efficient technology is better for the environment and keeps taxes lower for all.

“LED lighting is the way of the future, and the future has arrived in Thompson,” concluded Rieber.