Although the Town of Oyster Bay Ice Skating Rink in Bethpage has been closed to the public due to restrictions mandated by New York State, Supervisor Joseph Saladino and the Town Board announce that over the past three months employees have installed new energy efficient LED lighting to save taxpayers money. Additionally, free Wi-Fi service is now available for residents at both the Ice Skating Center and Community Pool in Bethpage.
Supervisor Saladino stated, “The Town Board and I continue to explore all options to save taxpayers money while enhancing services. Although the Ice Skating Center has been closed for business due to the threat of COVID-19, we utilized this time to install upgraded Wi-Fi service for residents and new efficient lights that reduce our energy bills, decrease our emissions and provide excellent overall illumination for skaters. It’s a win-win.”
Over the past several months, all bulbs and lighting fixtures were converted to LED in the Ice Skating Center. Material costs for the project were offset by a rebate from PSE&G, which is expected to be $50,232. This conversion is anticipated to save taxpayers a minimum of $62,000 annually.
Councilman Tom Hand added, “The Town of Oyster Bay is deeply committed to lowering energy costs and saving taxpayer’s money through the conversion of bulbs to LEDs. Fixtures and bulbs in the Ice Skating Center are now energy efficient and will help save a more than $60,000 a year. We will continue implementing efficiencies and seek savings in every corner of Town government while enhancing services such as this new, free Wi-Fi offering.”
Supervisor Saladino and the Town Board have completed LED conversions at Town Hall South in Massapequa, Town Hall North in Oyster Bay and at the Ice Skating Center in Bethpage. In additional to energy efficiency and savings achieved at these Town facilities, the Town of Oyster Bay Highway Department has saved millions of dollars by replacing bulbs on State, County and Town roadways as well as bridge underpasses and parking lots. The Town maintains 21,036 lighting fixtures. The Saladino administration has committed to replace 1,200 bulbs annually, and will no longer utilize high pressure or low pressure sodium bulbs on roadways by 2024.
LEDs are extremely energy efficient and consume up to 90% less power than older bulbs. Since LEDs use only a fraction of the energy there is a dramatic decrease in power costs. Also, money and energy is saved in maintenance and replacement costs due to the long LED lifespan. Among the benefits these lights provide include light disbursement with optimal uniformity and quicker on/off capabilities. The lights are also eco-friendly and will result in a reduction of CO2 emissions.