WILTON — Selectmen considered Tuesday whether 314 streetlights in town are really necessary.

Board Chairman Terry Brann, referring to a report from Central Maine Power Co., suggested they cause light pollution with the reflection into the sky. Some could be shut off or removed, he said.

Although it wouldn’t save all of the $44,000 the town annually spends for streetlights, it could reduce that amount.

Some roads outside the downtown area, such as Walker Hill Road, have three or four lights while a residential area such as  Fenderson Hill has none, he said.

Brann asked police Chief Dennis Brown to research whether lights are a deterrent to crime, he said. His efforts only revealed an effect on deterring gangs, he said.

Some towns are considering purchasing streetlights, something that Wilton could also consider, Selectman Irv Faunce said.

“CMP made an initial investment in the town, but now they get $44,000 a year,” he said while expressing doubt that the electricity costs that much. “It’s a capital investment,” he said.

The report gave the board a listing of the locations of the lights and the wattage used by each, leading the board to question whether the power could be reduced in some lights.

Faunce also suggested seeking public input about shutting down lights as there may be some concern, he said.

Brann indicated he wasn’t advocating for shutting off all the lights.

While the town may not be able to save $44,000, even a $10,000 savings could help, Selectman Paul Gooch said.

“We’re going to have to cut services and look at all avenues,” he said, remarking on the upcoming annual budget process.

The board decided to table the discussion for another meeting but requested that Town Manager Rhonda Irish check on the purchase of lights being considered by other towns.

In other business, the board discussed the removal of lumber from a Depot Street property where a building was razed and agreed that the owner should continue to work with Code Enforcement Officer Paul Montague.

Although the board requested the material be removed by their Dec. 1 meeting, owner Janis Stinson attended the meeting and said she continues to work on it, but poor weather throughout the summer and a lack of help have slowed her progress.

Several people have asked for lumber and she’s let them take some of the boards, she said, while explaining her intention to erect an orange fence around the property.

Members of the board were concerned that the State Fire Marshal’s Office would not allow a controlled burn of some of the debris even by a trained town fire crew. Selectman Thomas Saviello said he would check into it. The property is at Union and Depot streets and is close to power lines and a wood mill operation across the street.

Stinson could not offer a timeline for completion of the work but told the board she would continue to “work on it diligently.”

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