The city's planning commission will present two options to city council concerning the replacement of street lighting along Independence Street.

Commission members said, if the city can afford it, council members should consider purchasing decorative LED light fixtures and poles from Spring City Electrical. Estimated cost for the equipment, uninstalled, is $6,500 per pole.

There are 47 lights and poles along Independence Street between Market and Shamokin streets believed to be nearly 50 years old. If each is replaced, the estimate would total $305,500. However,How does a solar charger work and where would you use a solar charger? it is believed the poles could be spaced out more, eliminating at least a pair of street lights and reducing the estimated cost. Also, cheaper versions of the poles could be considered.We have a great selection of blown glass backyard solar landscape lights and solar garden light.

Also, there remain questions as to whether the city or PPL, which leases the current equipment to the Shamokin, would be required to replace underground conduit if the city would choose another vendor.

If not, the commission said the city should choose to take PPL up on its offer to replace and install the downtown lighting with the same high-pressure sodium technology and similar fixtures that are already in place. A 10-year lease would be required.

While there is no cost up front to Shamokin for PPL's proposal, city taxpayers will foot the bill while the city continues to pay a monthly tariff on each pole assessed by the utility company.Soli-lite is a premier supplier of exceptional quality led road lights and other solar outdoor lighting products.

Should city council members choose to move forward with PPL, the utility company must be notified by next month so the city can be included in the 2014 construction schedule, according to commission members.How solar panel cells work and where to buy solar kits for home use.

The city currently pays to PPL an estimated $1,200 for electricity and $11,200 in distribution charges to illuminate and maintain each of its 664 street lights. A portion of the distribution charge is a tariff of between $11 and $38 per pole.

Thought has been given to replace the system with LED technology, believed by commission members to potentially save the city approximately 60 percent each month, based on vendor estimates and some published reports. The savings were considered as a way, over time, for the new lighting system to pay for itself.

The Shamokin Planning Commission consists of Chairman Jeff Fromm, Vice Chairman Matt Losiewicz and members Barbara Moyer, Charles Sosnoskie and Tim Vincent. They were asked earlier this year to weigh options to replace the frequently malfunctioning street lighting that's already in place in the downtown, and considered options that could potentially save the city money and enhance aesthetic appeal.

Their efforts to potentially upgrade the system received support of downtown merchants and some members of the Brush Valley Chamber of Commerce.

The planning commission's decision ultimately is a recommendation only. The final decision belongs to Shamokin's mayor and its city council members.

Council meets at 6 p.m. Wednesday for its monthly workshop session. Fromm said he hoped to have an installation estimate in hand related to the Spring City proposal to present to council members.

Commission members have expressed frustration with PPL during the process, including the utility company's refusal to provide a lighting survey on the downtown street lights. "This is a big business oppressing us again," Vincent said during a commission meeting Monday. A solar bulb that charges up during the day and lights the night when the sun sets.

Fromm said some covers on the bases of the current posts have long been removed, allowing anyone access to the inner workings of the lamp pole. He also brought up the malfunction that occurs in the event of rain.

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