TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON—The township administrator told council Sept. 22 that the 10 large light poles ringing Memorial Field likely need electrical upgrades, ranging from possible new grounding systems or complete rewiring to make the lighting safe and reliable in upcoming years.
Council members took no action, saying they await more information, including cost estimates from Administrator Mark DiCarlo at the Oct. 6 meeting.
After extensive discussion about possible leftover funds in different capital accounts, and some funds set aside for traffic signals at the new firehouse, the leftover capital funds available for electrical upgrades appeared to be slightly over $64,000 from prior accounts.
In a followup email, DiCarlo told Pascack Press that the rewiring between the poles and “potentially grounding” for each pole was estimated at $43,000.
DiCarlo said one vendor estimated it would cost $2,950 to determine if Memorial Field’s 11 light poles were properly grounded, to prevent electric shocks in case of a lightning strike. He said one estimate to properly ground the poles was $2,800 per pole. He later noted that one estimate to rewire the light poles was approximately $20,000.
DiCarlo said there was no risk in using Memorial Field, although one vendor had noted one area where electrical conduit was not buried at the proper depth. Later investigations found other field conduit was buried at the correct depth and found to pose no risks, he said.
Councilor Michael Ullman said that testing all 11 electrical light poles to see if they needed grounding could potentially save costs, especially if only a half-dozen needed grounding. Council President Michael DeSena wondered what would need to be done for the field’s electric lights so they could be certified and meet approved standards.
DiCarlo said he asked more questions of an electrical vendor that need to be answered before the Oct. 6 meeting. He said the light poles are structurally sound, but needed more details on what exact costs were for specific types of electric wiring of the light poles.
If the poles are not properly grounded, the only potential electrical hazard would exist if a lightning bolt hit a light pole while a resident was in contract with it, said DiCarlo.
However, electrical contractors told officials it is safe to use the lights. DeSena noted that fields are cleared when a lightning detection system alarm sounds.