The Town Council approves a proposal Monday night to buy close to 1,300 streetlights across #MiddletownRI, a move projected to save the community more than $1 million over 10 years.
MIDDLETOWN MOVING TO BUY STREETLIGHTS
MIDDLETOWN, RI (MAY 6,, 2025) – Middletown leaders are always on the lookout for new ways to save money and provide better services.
As part of a proposal discussed Monday night, Town Administrator Shawn J. Brown said buying close to 1,300 streetlights in town from Rhode Island Energy and converting them to energy efficient LED fixtures should do just that.
Based on figures presented in Town Hall to the Town Council, Brown said Middletown could save more than $1 million on average over 10 years through the agreement.
He said the town would also reduce energy costs and have the ability to integrate smart technology into the streetlights, something that’s especially important in walkable neighborhoods and coastal areas.
By having better control of lighting levels, Brown said the town would improve public safety and supports the community’s long-term sustainability goals.
After discussion, the council approved a resolution authorizing the town to move forward with the purchase of the streetlights and RISE Engineering and Ubicquia to begin converting the lights.
The idea of Middletown getting into the streetlight business is not a new one.
Going back about a decade, the town talked about purchasing all the streetlights in Middletown to save money. While those plans never came to fruition, Brown said the streetlight project has been a long-range goal of the town.
According to Brown’s three-page memo, switching to LED lighting could cut energy use by up to 65 percent. He said would also reduce maintenance costs and boost reliability of the lights because of a longer lifespan of the LED fixtures.
“With the streetlight plan, we’re taking it one step at a time,” Brown said. “We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves, so we’re focused right now on the streetlights themselves, not the future possibilities for them.”
Other communities in Rhode Island have had success buying streetlights within their borders, most notably East Greenwich, Brown noted.
Presenting the item to the council, Brown outlined multiple funding options to pay for the streetlight purchase, which was expected to cost about $1.2 million.
Those included taking out a loan to pay for the lights, paying for them over time through regular energy billing or adding the cost to the tax rate.
Brown’s recommended alternative endorsed by the council — known as “Option 2” — was the on-bill repayment plan, which would require a $361,000 appropriation from the town’s budget, but no long-term loans or bonds. This move would also capitalize on more than $208,000 in energy incentives offered by Rhode Island Energy.
The lights at the athletic complex on the Turner Road side of Gaudet Middle School were redone free of charge to the town through a Rhode Island Energy program. Visit https://mdl.town/NYCU-Lights for more about the benefits of that project.
Because LED rebate programs are time-sensitive and could expire soon, Brown asked the council to move quickly with the matter. To read his memo, visit https://mdl.town/Streetlight-Memo-42925 online.
“[E]volving utility tariffs could introduce less favorable rates for municipalities, impacting long-term savings,” Brown wrote. “Acting now ensures the Town secures maximum savings and positions itself advantageously against future regulatory and market uncertainties.”
Document Link: https://mdl.town/NYCU-Streetlights
About Middletown
The Town of Middletown is a vibrant municipality located on Aquidneck Island, known for its scenic beauty, historic landmarks, diverse economy and strong sense of community. For more information about all we have to offer, visit MiddletownRI.gov online.
Media Contact
Matt Sheley
Public Affairs Officer
401-842-6543
msheley@middletownri.gov