GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Some residents in Grand Chute want the new LED street-lights to be dimmer. The town started installing the new fixtures a couple of years ago.
Colleen Zak told FOX 11,
“I don’t like them, it takes away from the neighborhood. It’s like having a headlight shine in your house. It’s brighter than most parking lots around the area.”
Zak lives in Grand Chute and said the “acorn style” street lights are a nuisance intruding even her light sensors.
“I don’t believe our porch light goes on anymore.”
But just down the road, Elizabeth Parker tells FOX 11 bright streets are what the neighborhood needs.
“It doesn’t bother me. Actually, it’s a good thing, because we had some unusual activity here in the last couple of weeks.”
Dave Schowalter the town’s chairman said safety is one of the reasons why Grand Chute installed new fixtures.
“It’s important for police, firefighters, for pedestrians, walking and biking to have streets that are lit.”
Residents argue the acorn style lights poses a safety risk because it shines outward instead of downward on the streets.
Kurtis Palmer, another Grand Chute resident said, “Found it harsh and abrasive, a lot of nuisance glare right in your face.”
FOX 11 asked Schowalter why not choose a different design.
“It was the only offering ‘We Energies’ has right now. They went to LED, which is a tremendous saving for the town as well.”
Palmer also said, “It seems like they’re concerned about making ‘We Energies’ happier than their taxpayers.”
Although residents don’t have to pay for the lights, they’re upset that there was no public input.
“A lot of people like to vote on everything that happens, well then you might as well not have a board,” Schowalter said.
Schowalter couldn’t say how much money the lights are saving Grand Chute.
The City of Appleton has similar street lights in parts of its area. Although there were no complaints filed there, the project was put on hold and the city is looking for different options.
