ELORA – While a generous donation on the surface, some councillors are concerned accepting a donation of Christmas lights in the Elora Green Space sends the wrong message about energy conservation and sets a precedent about how much donors can dictate who should provide a service.
Kat Florence Canada Inc. has offered to pay for warm white lights to be installed in the parkette over the holiday season at no cost to the township.
One tree in the parkette would be wrapped in red and green lights with an illuminated star at the top.
The cost is expected to be about $26,000 a year. The donation agreement is for five years.
The agreement stipulates that Gladiator Pro Wash will provide the lights and do the installation.
Managing director of community services Pat Newson told Centre Wellington council on July 15 that Kat Florence approached the township last year with the offer, but staff chose to take a wait-and-see approach.
But after seeing how effective the lighting display was that Kat Florence installed on its own historic buildings in downtown Elora last year, staff took a more serious look at the offer this year and recommended signing a donation agreement.
“The lights last year were a tourist draw,” Newson said, adding while the township does have some uplighting in the parkette, “it almost makes it feel dark.”
Newson noted the township will maintain control of the site and she would have the authority to adjust the hours the lights would be on in the event of complaints.
The township’s arborist has examined the trees and the proposal, which estimates the lights could weigh between 40 and 60 pounds, and he has determined the trees can bear the weight.
Manager of community development Kristen Bettiol said the donor has had conversations with the Elora BIA and many of its members and no concerns have been raised.
The lights would be installed in October or November, would be lit after Remembrance Day through February, and would be taken down in March.
Councillor Bronwynne Wilton worried about the township taking on extra hydro costs, and about the fact lighting the downtown core is the wrong image in an era of climate change.
“Forty to 60 pounds of lights on trees seems excessive,” she said. “And how much light do we need to look festive?”
On the matter of ambient light, managing director of infrastructure Colin Baker said last winter, the township streetlights kept turning off as the photocells read the light as daylight.
This can and will be adjusted, he said.
Wilton also voiced concern that this would be a sole-source provider, which goes against the township’s procurement policy.
Councillor Barb Evoy agreed, saying that was a “red flag” for her.
Staff noted single-source procurement is allowed in some cases and Kat Florence already has a working relationship with Gladiator Pro Wash, which installed the lights last year.
Newson said staff will keep track of hydro costs and any other issues that may arise, adding the contract can be revised annually by either party when the prescribed notice is given.
After much discussion, council approved the donation agreement.
