TORRINGTON STREETLIGHT
MASTER PLAN INFORMATIONAL
MEETING
Tuesday, January 12th
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS MEETING?
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Present the Streetlight Master Plan, as it
currently exists, to residents and businesses.
Gain constructive feedback from residents
Outcome: To develop a Streetlight Master Plan that
best meets the street lighting needs of our community
TONIGHT’S AGENDA
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6:30-7:15 – Presentation
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7:15-7:45 – Question & Answer
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History of Streetlights in Torrington
Advancements in technology that have made roads
safer in the past decade
Background of Streetlight Master Plan and Policy
Process in which the Streetlight Master Plan is being
created
Goals, Timing & Next Steps
Answer Questions which the City has already
received
Audience ask additional questions to panel of
speakers
7:45-8:00 – Final Thoughts
HISTORY OF STREETLIGHTS IN THE
CITY OF TORRINGTON
A TALE OF TOO MANY LIGHTS
Prior to 2001, the City of Torrington, like many
municipalities, had not developed a streetlight
plan.
HOW DID WE GET ALL THESE LIGHTS
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Lacking a strategic plan, beginning many as 60
years ago, most of the street lights were installed
under the auspices of the utility company and
randomly placed into service without municipal
review.
UTILITY POLES ACROSS THE NATION
Most of the lights were placed on utility
poles designed solely for the distribution of
the weight of utility wires – NOT for the
purpose of providing streetlights
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
STREETLIGHT COSTS
OF
ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGY
THAT HAVE MADE ROAD USE
SAFER
WHAT ABOUT LED?
The City of Torrington has already retrofitted
approximately 1400 streetlights to utilize LED’s in
2010/2011
Removal of lights further reduces the cost savings
we are already seeing as a result of the LED
implementation
WHAT ADDITIONAL TOOLS OR TECHNOLOGY
DRIVE A CHANGE IN LIGHTING NEEDS
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High-reflective street and traffic signs
TECHNOLOGY
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Advances in automobile headlights illuminate
roadways more efficiently.
Adjustable light levels (high beams/low lights)
 Designed to light the road, not blind on-coming traffic
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Reflective clothing helps identify walkers and
runners
COMMERCIAL & RETAIL LIGHT
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Commercial and retail development has
increased the amount of light from signage,
parking lot illumination and store front exposure
creating excess ambient light.
LIGHTED URBAN AREAS
BACKGROUND OF STREETLIGHT
MASTER PLAN
STATE STATUTE SECTION 13A-110
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AN ACT REQUIRING ENERGY EFFICIENT
ROADWAY LIGHTS.
IF WE ARE PLANNING FOR WHAT WE HAVE,
WE ARE BEHIND THE CURVE
In 2001, the Planning & Zoning Commission
adopted a new Outdoor Lighting Regulation
aimed at minimizing “light trespass” and the
glow surrounding development at night.
 The regulations were based on a model by the
organization “Dark Sky” (www.darksky.org) and
include requirements that limit lighting levels for
different uses and require full cut-off fixtures to
focus light downward, not out or up into the sky.
All subsequently approved commercial and
industrial developments comply with the dark
skies initiative.
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IS THIS CONSISTENT WITH OTHER TOWN
POLICIES?
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The POCD states in Section 6 “Community Character” that in order
to help preserve the character of the community efforts should be
made to reduce light pollution.
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“Efforts should be made to continue to limit the wasted energy and light
that creates the glow around the City’s developed areas to allow the
residents to more clearly see the stars. Special emphasis should be given
to utility pole lighting of private properties from the Right of Way. All of
this type of lighting should be eliminated or replaced with 100% full-cutoff
fixtures by 2010 to meet CGS 13a-143d requirements”
Efforts to change over (to full-cut off fixtures) or eliminate unneeded street
lights should be a priority in the more rural areas first to have a more
immediate effect in reducing sky glow
The POCD also states in Section 13 “Sustainability Objectives” that
the “City should be aggressive in the use of current and developing
technology to conserve and reduce pollution and employ new sources
of renewable energy as they become available.”
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One of the initiatives the City should implement to help reduce energy is
to develop “guidelines and regulations for municipal construction projects
consistent with these goals, including…renovation of the City
infrastructure, such as … streetlights…”
WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF THE
PLAN?
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There are over 40 streets throughout Torrington
that adhere to city policy on streetlight locations.
Approximately half of these streets were
developed after the policy was implemented.
STREETS AND DEVELOPMENTS IN
COMPLIANCE WITH POLICY
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City Streets
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approved after 2000 
per streetlight policy:
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Persechino Drive
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Aetna Ave./Wyoming
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Street (road
realignment section)
White Pine Road (phase 
2)
Mountain View Manor
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Hillandale Boulevard
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Magnolla Court
Penny Lane
Auburn Way
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Wysteria Court
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Silverbrook Lane
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Coach Light Lane
Wimbledon Gate North 
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Ford Lane
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Augusta Court
Rock Creek Lane
Carmody Court
Stonehouse Way
Cidermill Crossing
Silver Fox Lane (phase
2)
Tognali Drive (not
accepted yet as city
street)
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Other Streets
approve prior to 2000
that conform to
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streetlight policy:
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Kimball Lane
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Dalton Street
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Sherman Street
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Marvin Street
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Juniper Court
Outlook Court
Farnham Avenue
Christine Street
Lipton Plane
Fairmount Avenue
Plain Street
Apple Street
Pulver Street
Bancroft Street
Edwards Avenue
Brightwood Avenue
(north extension)
Hoerle West Boulevard
Fenna Street
South Street
Dale Street
Crystal Lane
Barbaret Road
WHY WOULD WE CHOOSE THIS TIME TO
IMPLEMENT THE PLAN?
Many municipalities are re-evaluating their
municipal outdoor lighting needs due to the
higher costs of electricity and the value of making
a more dark-sky-friendly environment.
 The adoption of Outdoor Lighting Regulation and
Plan of Conservation spurred a comprehensive
review of municipal lighting in the City.
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WHY SHOULD WE SEEK FUNDING?
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As stated in the Plan of Conservation and
Development:
“The City should pursue any available grant
monies to speed up the process of converting
these old fixtures to reduce glare, and light
trespass and to lower the City’s utility usage.
Efforts to change over or eliminate unneeded
street lights should be a priority in the more
rural areas first to have a more immediate
effect in reducing sky glow”
WHERE DID WE FIND THE FUNDS FOR
IMPLEMENTATION?
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As stated earlier, the POCD recommended the
city pursue a funding source to implement the
plan.
The proceeds from the recent sale of the
Torrington Water accounts to the Torrington
Water Company are a “one-time revenue source”
that can be used to reduce operating costs
associated with the streetlights – providing the
$600,000.00 in savings over the next ten years.
WHAT ARE THE ECONOMICS?
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The estimated cost of removing street lights and
completing the LED replacements identified in
the current master plan: $450,000.00
The estimated annual cost savings for electrical
use and streetlight maintenance: $100,000.00
In ten years, the total estimated savings will
exceed $600,000.00
PROCESS FOR CREATING THE
STREETLIGHT MASTER PLAN
WHERE DID WE BEGIN?
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STEP ONE:
 DEVELOP A CRITERIA FOR WHERE
STREET LIGHTS ARE NEEDED: proper
design and layout are critical to avoid
excessive energy use, glare and poor light
distribution.
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INVENTORY all street lighting to see if
current and projected needs for various areas
throughout the city are being met.
WHERE DID WE BEGIN?
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STEP TWO:
 Identify design issues and constraints
Retrofit/remove/replace
 Project funding and cost savings
 Safety and Security
 Business and Economic Development
 Glare/Light trespass/Light pollution
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WHERE DID WE BEGIN?
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STEP THREE
 Communication
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Consultation with Police, Fire, Ambulance, School Bus
Company, Public Works
Streetlight Placement is at the sole discretion of the
Municipality, however, we WANTED to hold a public
information meeting to get input from residents to
determine what information may/may not be known about
specific areas in our city.
WHERE DID WE BEGIN?
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STEP FOUR
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Night-time field evaluation of:
Business Zones
 Downtown District needs:
 (mixed use, retail, office buildings, entertainment
districts)
 School Zones
 Other areas of concern as warranted
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FINAL CONSIDERATION
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THE MASTERPLAN as it exists right now essentially
applies a “one-size-fits-all” implementation of the
current policy.
Based on the information developed over the past few
years, together with information we continue to review
and the input we receive tonight, the plan will be finetuned to adequately meet the lighting needs of our City.
GOALS, TIMING & NEXT STEPS
GOAL:
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DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A PLAN THAT
MEETS THE LIGHTING NEEDS OF THE
COMMUNITY.
WHAT ARE THE INTENDED OUTCOMES?
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Reduce unnecessary lighting
Better enable drivers to see changing road
alignments (sharp horizontal/vertical & curves)
To allow drivers to better recognize approaches to
intersections/identify the end of a street
Introduce uniformity (light & dark spots) along
roads
Reduce energy consumption & cost
WHAT IS THE TIME-LINE FOR
IMPLEMENTATION?
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Finalize Steps Three and Four - creating the plan that
meets the lighting needs of the community.
Projected to begin removal in Summer 2016
 Date is subject to coordination with Eversource & the
city’s maintenance contractors schedules.
The majority of the removal is expected to take
approximately 3-4 months.
Remaining work of removing post-top lights will take place
at a later date.
QUESTIONS / COMMENTS
The following questions have been received by
the City to date
WHAT IMPACT DOES THIS HAVE ON
ENERGY CONSUMPTION?
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Annual KwH savings of 600,000 KwH = the total
annual energy use of 55 households
HOW WILL THIS PLAN IMPACT FIRE AND
AMBULANCE RESPONSE?
Streetlights solely at intersections and sharp
curves will forewarn first responders as to where
an intersecting street or curve is coming up.
 Both departments have identified that the
installation of reflective house numbers is a far
more efficient means of identification of their
property.
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WHAT ABOUT SCHOOL BUS STOPS?
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Group bus stops are all at intersections – There
is a street light proposed at all intersections.
So, even if bus stops change the new location will
be illuminated.
All existing street lights located within school
zones are proposed to remain the same.
HAVE ANY OTHER TOWNS IMPLEMENTED A
STREET LIGHT REDUCTION PLAN?
Tolland, Thomaston and Watertown are among the first
towns to implement a streetlight reduction plan.
The Town of Thomaston implemented a plan to reduce
the number of streetlights in Thomaston by 30%;
leaving lights at intersections, crosswalks and other
challenging geographical changes in roadways.
First Selectman, Ed Mone has stated that he continues
to monitor data and information relative to accidents
and crime and has not seen any changes in statistics
that can be attributed to the streetlight reduction.
HOW WILL THE REMOVAL AFFECT
NIGHTTIME DRIVING?
Research shows that headlights adequately
illuminate roadways at speeds of 30 MPH or
lower
 Improperly spaced streetlights (on utility poles)
can create light and dark areas which can cause
“disability adaption” problems for drivers as their
eyes constantly adjust from a bright area to a
darker one.
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DO STREETLIGHTS PREVENT CRIME?
"Is street lighting an effective approach in the
reduction and deterrence of crime? The answer is
inconclusive. The paucity of reliable and uniform data
and the inadequacy of available evaluation studies
preclude a definitive statement regarding the
relationship between street lighting and crime." (Tien,
et. al. 1979, page 93, emphasis in the original)**
Almost twenty years later, we know little more about
the effectiveness of lighting.
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Studies looking at public safety in the face of light
reduction or elimination vary.
 Some say crime increases
 Some say it decreases slightly or does not move at all.
 Studies usually look at large metropolitan cities, not
suburban towns like Torrington.
**As presented to Congress in 1999 by the National Institute of Justice
WHAT WILL BE THE IMPACT ON CRIME?
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Impossible to predict the impact
Too many variables that result in
increases/reductions
Trends
 Crime of opportunity vs planned offense
 Circumstances leading up to the crime
 Reasoning behind the crime
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CRIME PREVENTION TECHNIQUES
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Whether areas are well lit or not, good crime prevention
techniques are the best way to prevent or reduce crime.
 Be vigilant
 Report suspicious activity to police
 Lock your cars and homes – always
 Organize an active block watch through your local police
 Motion sensor lights on your home/business
 Do not present an easy target – OPPORTUNITY
 Crime prevention through environmental design
 Electronic surveillance and good locks on your home or
business
 Do not put your movements on Facebook so people will
know when you are or are not home.
 Stop your mail and newspaper when away
 Let a trusted neighbor know if you will be gone
HOW WILL REDUCED LIGHTING AFFECT
POLICE RESPONSE?
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A reduction in lighting will not impact police
responding to a call for assistance or help.
 Police will furnish their own illumination
Police will still be able to do their job regardless if
area is lit or not.
Make sure your home has a front light
Make sure that your house is properly numbered
and the number is visible from the roadway.
ROADWAY SAFETY
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Walking on the road at night
 Walk facing oncoming traffic.
 Wear a reflective vest or clothing
 Have a flashlight
 Make yourself as visible as possible
 Walk on sidewalks when they are available
 Do not walk so you are out in the travel
portion of the road
 If you are with a friend walk single file
 Do not take for granted an oncoming car will
see you Day or Night!
 Cell phones in pocket
HOW WILL I SEE MY MAILBOX?
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Municipal lighting was never designed to
illuminate private property.
The City does not regulate residential lighting
Driveway lights
o Porch lights
o Motion sensors
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The City is currently working with Eversource /
Green Bank to develop a residential lighting
alternative.
WHAT ABOUT WILDLIFE IN MY YARD?
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Residents concerned about wild animals in their
yard should consider motion sensor lights on
their homes or properties so they will be aware
when there is movement outside of their homes.
The presence or absence of streetlights will not
cause or prevent a wild animal from visiting a
property.
QUESTIONS / COMMENTS FROM
AUDIENCE TO PANEL OF
SPEAKERS
FINAL THOUGHTS
IN CONCLUSION
The reduction in streetlights throughout the city
has many positive benefits.
Along with this energy reduction plan, the City is
coordinating with Eversource Energy to offer
further energy saving initiatives for residents such
as a lightbulb exchange to take place in February.
The City is also exploring a voucher program to
assist in the purchase of exterior lighting for
residential properties.
IN CONCLUSION
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THE MASTERPLAN that was developed over the
past decade and approved by the bi-partisan
council demonstrates a “one size fits all”
application of the Outdoor Lighting Policy.
Based on the information developed over the
past few years, together with information we
continue to review and the input we receive
tonight, the plan will be fine-tuned to adequately
meet the lighting needs of our City.