JAY — Selectpersons agreed Monday to move forward with switching the streetlights to LED fixtures. The estimated savings is about $14,000.

The vote was 4-1 with Selectperson Judy Diaz opposed. Selectpersons Tom Goding, Gary McGrane, Vice Chairman Tim DeMillo and Chairman Terry Bergeron voted in favor.

The town reduced the number of its streetlights several years ago by about 25 percent to 268 streetlights. It has 14 special facilities, which have larger than normal brackets for lights.

The town will be put on a list for the conversion.

Several people pay for streetlights near their residences, including Town Manager Shiloh LaFreniere.

Individual homeowners could get their paid-for lights changed to LEDs but they would be put on a separate list, LaFreniere said.

A spreadsheet from Central Maine Power Co. shows the approximate cost of Jay’s lighting at $48,493.53, based on the standard offer, LaFreniere said.

The estimated cost for having LEDs is about $34,162.90.

In other business, selectpersons approved guidelines for junior firefighters. When Fire Chief Mike Booker started with the Fire Rescue Department the age requirement was 14, he said. It changed to 16 years old with a license in 2008 or so.

The guidelines approved Monday lowers the minimum age to 15.

There are several firefighters who have children who are age 15 and interested in joining the department, he said.

dperry@sunmediagroup.net

Jay Fire Rescue Chief Mike Booker addresses selectmen Monday night at the Town Office on lowering the age of junior firefighters from 16 to 15 years old. (Sun Journal photo by Donna M. Perry)