Culbertson approves plan for special lighting district, accepts contract for new mercury vapor street lights

The Culbertson Town Council moved in August to create Special Improvement Lighting District No. 1 and to replace aging open incandescent street lights with enclosed mercury vapor luminaires.

The council published and adopted Resolution No. 130 of intention, which describes district boundaries, the replacement of approximately 50 open-type 100-watt bracket lamps with 292-watt enclosed mercury vapor luminaires (noted to provide roughly four to five times the illumination), and an estimated first-year maintenance and electrical cost of $4,761.13. The resolution apportions costs with the Town paying 25 percent and the remaining 75 percent assessed to property owners within the district on a pro-rated lot-area basis.

A public hearing on creation of the district was scheduled for Sept. 3, 1963, at 8 p.m. in the town hall; the clerk was directed to mail notice to property owners in the proposed district. The minutes record that on Oct. 7 the council accepted a new contract with Mountain-Dakota Utilities for the new lighting system.

Why it matters: The change affects public lighting coverage and local assessments; property owners inside the described boundaries may see a new special assessment to pay for 75 percent of ongoing costs. The council set a process (notice and hearing) for owners to object before final creation.

Attribution and details: The resolution and notice are part of the minutes (Resolution No. 130). The minutes list the district boundaries, the technical change to mercury vapor luminaires, the estimated first-year cost ($4,761.13), and the cost-sharing formula (25% town / 75% assessed). The minutes do not include a roll-call vote or individual assessment amounts per lot.