The fate of the gas lights in the Pheasant Hills subdivision in Northville will be considered at an upcoming meeting of the Home Owners Association (HOA) and representatives from the city Department of Public Works.
City DPW Director Mike Domine told the members of the Northville City Council recently that four of the 52 poles in the area are broken and the district also includes 12 gas-lit wall sconces. Under a current arrangement, the city pays an annual fee of $2,000 to Consumers Power to clean and service the lights along with the gas fuel used. Consumers Power officials have notified the city that the residential gas-light component of service is ending. Although there is no set timeline, the utility has cut back on services provided under the contract with the city.
Domine presented three options for councilmembers to consider: 1) add an external meter to every pole and sconce location; 2) Use an alternative energy source, such as solar or electric or 3) Keep the gas-lit wall sconces but replace the gas-lit pole lights with electric lights. With each of the options, there are associated costs that the city and the home owners association representatives will need to discuss. Domine said the city may be able to provide a low-interest loan to the association to convert the lights. DTE Energy said it will maintain the electric light poles as long as the electricity cost is covered.
The homeowners association paid for the poles and installation of the gas lights through a special assessment more than 10 years ago, officials said. Councilmembers took no action as the next step in resolving the issue is a meeting with the entire membership of the homeowners association and the city DPW to discuss the options.
