How the Town of Brighton is preserving the history of streetlights

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — We all know the saying "out with the old, and in with the new," but the Town of Brighton is taking the meaning on a different route.

As previously reported, Brighton will soon see upgrades to its streetlights, all while keeping the same design.

Brighton's town supervisor Bill Moehle says "RG&E is going to be preserving the beautiful ornamental harp layout streetlights throughout our neighborhoods but at the same time retrofitting them with led lighting."

RG&E made the announcement earlier this week, saying they will begin upgrading the town's historic street light circuits in November, which involves working on over 250 streetlights between Monroe Avenue and Highland Avenue.

The project manager, Mike Miranda with RG&E and NYSEG, tells News 8 that these circuits are approximately 100 years old, and it's been difficult to find replacement parts.

He said they are looking forward to starting on two circuits in Brighton, this coming November, and will be doing that work throughout 2025 that will cover approximately 250 streetlight fixtures and then they will be moving forward into more circuits in future years.

The town supervisor says preserving the look of these lights was their main goal, adding that the look of them is even incorporated into the town's logo.

Bill Moehle also says that residents should expect little to no cost differences as it was already incorporated in taxes they pay.

RG&E plans to replace 650 lights across Brighton and Pittsford over the next few years.