FARMINGTON – Town officials said Monday that a meeting with a representative from Central Maine Power about the town’s streetlights was positive and productive.
“We learned a few things,” said Richard Davis, town manager, on Monday. “I think it was a good discussion.”
“It served a good purpose. It was a very productive meeting and a good exchange,” agreed Dennis Pike, a selectman and the Franklin County sheriff, who also attended the meeting Friday.
The meeting, prompted by questions from selectmen about streetlights that aren’t working, went well, according to Davis, who said the power company made some procedural changes it hopes will expedite streetlight repairs.
For one, all reports of malfunctioning streetlights will be sent directly to a line clerk rather than a customer service representative, who spends a lot of time out of her office. This will ensure that repairs are addressed regardless of whether she is in or not.
“We’re always concerned about our relationship with municipalities,” John Carroll, a spokesman for CMP, said Monday.
The company is also instituting new ways for the town to file reports.
Pike, whose concerns as sheriff range beyond the boundaries of Farmington, said CMP has global positioning system or GPS capabilities and many of his deputies are equipped with those units. The company told Pike they are willing to accept GPS coordinates within 15 feet of streetlights in need of repair. Pike said that will make reporting simpler and more accurate.
Carroll said CMP will provide a reporting form for deputies and others to use for this purpose.
“The town is going to continue to ensure that these lights get reported in a timely manner,” Davis said.
Residents who notice a streetlight in need of repair can report it to the town or to CMP directly, he said. It is helpful if people can refer to a pole number, which can be found about 5 to 6 feet from the ground and usually facing the road, he said.
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