Farmington’s actions are shocking. Really.

Selectmen decided on Tuesday to take a chance with public safety. That’s unconscionable and is begging for a lawsuit.

Last summer, both people and animals were shocked during damp weather by 15-year-old lights on Main and Broadway. Much to their credit, selectmen moved to have the lights repaired.

A contractor went to work fixing the lights. But at the end of the job, the repair company said it could not guarantee that no hazard exists, even after extensive work replacing worn-out parts, checking the wiring and repairing seals.

Fully aware of the electrician’s findings, the town has decided to take a wait-and-see approach to the problem. Unfortunately, that means waiting to see if someone else is shocked before doing anything. At least, the town is opening itself up to liability if someone is hurt by the lights. At most, the town is being irresponsible.

Two of the lights don’t work and a third should be considered for replacement soon, according to the information presented to the selectmen.

Estimates to replace the ornamental street lights run to about $50,000, but the town manager has discovered a grant program that could cover up to half of the costs. On Tuesday, the selectmen did nothing to further investigate or apply for the grant.

Whether the town can afford to replace the lights or not, the inaction is disturbing. Farmington should move forward with the grant application. And, at the very least, should turn the lights off until their safety can be guaranteed.

An electric shock shouldn’t be part of a stroll down Main Street. The lights should be fixed, replaced or shut off.


Measured success


Great progress has been made in reducing smoking rates among the state’s middle and high school students.

A survey of Maine students shows the number of high school students who smoke has been cut almost in half since 1997. The decrease in middle school smoking is even larger, 59 percent. The information, which was gathered as part of the Maine Youth Risk Surveys of sixth through 12 graders, is encouraging and shows that the state’s efforts to reduce smoking are working. Gov. John Baldacci, citing the study, said 22,000 fewer children are smoking now than in 1997.

But we still have room for improvement. According to the study, more than one in five high school students and about one in 12 middle schoolers still smoke, and, might we add, smoke illegally.

There are limits to the study. It requires students to self-report on their own activities, many of which are illegal. Even though they are promised anonymity, increased education about and enforcement of smoking laws might prompt students to minimize their activity. But this much improvement shouldn’t be minimized. Maine has come a long way in the fight against a killer.

We can’t rest on reports of success. The state should continue to examine ways to reduce the number of smokers among children and adults, and continue successful programs that safeguard against the sale of tobacco to kids and help people quit.


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