The Town of Qualicum Beach council wants BC Hydro to be accountable for the work it did when the community’s streetlights were changed.
Council, at its regular meeting on June 14, got an update on the town’s request to have 120 streetlights replaced in areas where they’ve received complaints from homeowners about light trespass. The plan is to replace the current LED lights with lower wattage (39W) and colour temperature (3000K).
Director of engineering Bob Weir indicated BC Hydro will be able to do the job, but it will cost $500 per light and any additional request for more light replacements down the road the cost would go up to $1,750 apiece.
However, the work will not commence soon, said Weir, as BC Hydro does not have the stock of 39W and 3000K lights sufficient to do the requested 102 exchanges. It’s anticipated the job would be done sometime in October.
Council also learned their request to have BC Hydro ground crews implement additional solutions to mitigate light spill onto homes, such as adjusting davit arm or any other measures, while the lights are being replaced, is beyond the scope of the work of BC Hydro’s crews.
READ MORE: Qualicum Beach to replace bright streetlights that shine into homes
“Their crews must adhere to certain standards of installation to limit glare and provide uniformity of light for the roadway,” said Weir. “So any complaints relating to any further changes to the light would simply be directed back to the town to then direct BC Hydro and be paid for it through their standard charges.”
Some members of council found BC Hydro’s position on the request confusing. Coun. Petronella Vander Valk said she has concerns.
“It seems to me that before the lights were changed, we didn’t have any problem,” said Vander Valk. “And when the lights were changed, we had a problem. And so, whose responsibility is it to deal with the problem? It feels to me like that’s being given to the town and I think BC Hydro needs to be held accountable for the fact that the lights that they’ve suggested don’t work in all circumstances.”
Vander Valk suggested as a council, they should take steps to talk to BC Hydro to tell them that “this isn’t acceptable.”
“It’s a lot of extra money and time and effort,” she said. “And we’re footing the bill whether it’s $500 a light or $1,750 a light or whatever they would charge for more work to be done. They have to be held accountable and I don’t think they’re being held accountable. I would like to see us take a more active role in how that’s being handled whether it’s going to the BC Utilities (Commission) or UBCM (Union of BC Municipalities).”
Coun. Jean Young agreed.
“These are BC Hydro lights and they need to make it right,” she said. “And it’s not up to us to have to pick up the problems when it is their light. It’s not the town’s light.”
Mayor Teunis Westbroek indicated BC Hydro has agreed to meet with council at the UBCM conference in September but suggested they hold talks ahead of the conference.
“We would be prepared to drive to wherever they want to meet us on Vancouver Island and talk this through, explain our concerns,” said Westbroek. “It’s not about confrontation. It’s about trying to work things out, trying to work together, trying to help them understand.”
Westbroek made a motion requesting staff attempt to organize a meeting between BC Hydro and council prior to the UBCM conference. It passed unanimously.
