EMPORIUM MAY GO 'RETRO' WITH LIGHTS
By Alex Davis Endeavor News

Osram Sylvania representative Tom Spehalski (right) demonstrates a metal halide streetlight fixture, one of several options under consideration by Emporium Borough Council. Councilman Randy Frey looks on. Alex Davis Photo

As Cameron County's sesquicentennial in 2010 draws closer, Emporium Borough is looking into a plan to restore some of the business district's Victorian era appearance.

Borough Council members and others this week discussed the possibility of re-fitting some of the current Victorian lamp posts. The Street Committee will conduct a feasibility study on the options available for replacing the aging lamps and other streetlights.

Committee Chairman Randy Frey pointed out that the consensus is to keep the historical style in the downtown area, but trim electricity costs. The current mercury light fixtures will be deemed obsolete by 2010. There are about 20 lights, with only seven of them functioning. Annual costs are $30,000 for all of the borough's street lights.

"The timeline is telling us that the downtown has to be dealt with," said Borough Manager Don Reed.

Among choices are the following fixtures: high-pressure sodium vapor, metal halide or light-emitting diode (LED).

The lamp posts, which were installed 15 years ago, have been deteriorating over the years. The wiring is also in poor shape.

PennDOT representative Don Bowser has recom- mended placing a plastic covering at the bottom of the pole to minimize deterioration.

Frey said he'd like the borough to conform with the Pennsylvania Wilds "dark sky" initiative, by directing the light more toward the sidewalk and road, rather than skyward.

An alternative could be scrapping the idea of purchasing two different lights and installing one light with decorative and streetlight features, he said.

If older models are replaced, the metal may be recycled. It would cost some $5,000 to $8,000 to purchase the decorative poles of the new lights. The streetlights and lamp posts would also be moved farther back along the street.

Crissy Slusarick and Dana Crisp, both members of Sylvan Heritage Council, said the antique lights are an Emporium tradition that's worth preserving.

An experiment with a new streetlight could soon be underway. Plans are to place one near the post office along Fourth Street.