The street lights proposed for removal were selected because they are not located at street intersections and do not appear to be needed for safety purposes.  The City’s emergency service officials have confirmed the acceptability of mid-block street light removals.

In order for people to know exactly which lights are affected, City staff have put orange signs on those utility poles with street lights proposed for removal (see web page).  THE DEADLINE FOR APPEALING A STREET LIGHT REMOVAL IS JULY 17, 2009.

In order to appeal a street light removal, please print the SOUTH PORTLAND STREET LIGHT FORM (on web page), fill it out neatly, and send it back to us by email, fax (767-2197), or US mail to the person indicated on the form.  Forms also are available at the South Portland Planning & Development Department, 62 E Street.

Appeals of proposed street light removals will be reviewed by a Street Light Removal Appeals Committee made up of representatives of several City Council-appointed Boards and Committees and of staff from the Fire, Police, Public Works, and Code Enforcement departments.  The Committee members will base their determinations on whether there is a public safety problem associated with removing a street light.  This could be due, for example, to a cross-walk or a park being adjacent to the location of the street light.  Stating that a street light removal would make a person’s property darker will not be deemed to be a valid public safety reason for keeping a street light.

After reviewing the appeals, the Committee will forward its recommendations to the City Council.  The City Council is tentatively scheduled to discuss street light removals at a workshop on August 10 and to hold a public hearing and take final action on approving the proposed street lights for removal on August 17.

House Light Reimbursement Program
Property owners whose homes or businesses are located within fifty (50) feet of a street light proposed for removal are eligible for a house light reimbursement.  Under this program, a property owner who does not currently have a light on the front of his or her home or business can bring the receipt for the purchase of a light to the Planning & Development Department, 62 E Street, and be reimbursed up to $25 toward the purchase of the light.  NO REIMBURSEMENT WILL BE MADE UNLESS THE PROPERTY OWNER FIRST TALKS WITH THE PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, 767-7603 extension #9, AND GETS APPROVAL FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT.  We will use the City’s mapping system to verify that the house or business is within 50’ of the street light proposed for removal and will ask whether there already is a light.  DO NOT PURCHASE A HOUSE LIGHT UNTIL PLANNING STAFF SAY YOU CAN IF YOU WANT TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT.

If you are approved for the house light, you can purchase the light and bring the receipt to the Planning office.  Within several weeks thereafter the City will send a check for the amount on the receipt or $25, whichever is less, to the listed owner of the property.  If you are renting the property, please arrange for the property owner to submit the reimbursement request.

Please note that the City is only offering to offset the purchase of a house light.  Any additional expenses, including installation, if any, are the responsibility of the property owner.

For any questions about the house light reimbursement program, or about the Street Light Removal Program in general, please contact the Planning & Development Department at 767-7603 extension #9.