WILTON — Kevin Black of 221 Village View in Dryden village asked the selectpersons Tuesday night if they were aware of problems there caused by a lack of streetlights.
In 2011, voters approved removing about 100 streetlights. Residents were told they could add a streetlight to their own electric bill to keep some on. Some did.
Black said he lost $10,000 worth of property from thefts in the past two years. “I don’t have $10,000 to waste,” he said.
Town Manager Rhonda Irish asked Black to check the poles. If a light is on the pole, it should be on. She said if a light burns out, residents need to notify the Town Office to replace it.
Irish said she would check with Central Maine Power to see how many lights had been removed on Village View.
Selectperson Tiffany Maiuri said, “I can empathize. Voters wanted us to turn off even more lights.”
Selectperson Scott Taylor asked Black if he was reasonably sure the thefts occurred since some streetlights were eliminated.
Black said a new grill cover was recently removed from his porch. He also lost a new tire.
Black said he is also concerned about the safety of children who walk that street alone at night. Drivers speed there and it’s a matter of time before there’s an accident, he said.
Black also questioned the need for the downtown area to be so well-lit. “Teenagers are not spending time there,” he said.
“You need to convince the voters,” Maiuri said.
Board of Selectpersons Chairman Paul Berkey Jr. said, “I can promise we’ll ask some questions. You may not like the answers.”
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