"We looked into the complaint. The chief felt for public safety it wouldn't be a bad idea to have more lights there," Town Manager Charles Blanchard said.
PALMER - Soon, there will be more street lights in the Alden Street neighborhood, thanks to a resident going before the Town Council about the problem.
Police Chief Robert P. Frydryk visited the neighborhood - known as the Brainerd Heights Development - after Alden Street resident Rina Lavoie expressed her concerns about the lack of lighting there when she went to the Town Council's July 30 meeting.
Frydryk agreed that there is a need for additional lighting on Alden, Cabot and Winthrop streets. He is recommending that a light be added to each street.
"It was rather dark in those areas," said Frydryk, adding Winthrop and Alden streets have no lights at all, and Cabot has a "long stretch" with no lights.
Town Manager Charles T. Blanchard said abutters are in the process of being notified about the plan to install the lights, in case they have any concerns. Blanchard said he will contact National Grid to install the lights, which he estimated will cost approximately $65 each in annual electricity costs for the town.
"We looked into the complaint. The chief felt for public safety it wouldn't be a bad idea to have more lights there," Blanchard said.
Lavoie also sent a letter to the council about her concerns, citing break-ins, and "random middle of the night knocking on doors." The lack of lighting, she said, makes the area "vulnerable for trespassing."
Frydryk said there have not been many incidents in that neighborhood. However, last month an unlocked car was rummaged through on Winthrop Street, and a 20-year-old Thorndike man was arrested for charges including trespassing and attempt to commit a crime, breaking and entering, after incidents on Irene and Deborah streets, he said.