Milton Town Council will resume talks about the possibility of having solar streetlights installed at the Granary at Draper Farm development at council’s meeting set for 6:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 2.

Developer Convergence Investments announced in October that it was exploring having solar streetlights in the 1,350-unit development. The streetlights would be provided and maintained by Houston, Texas-based company EnGoPlanet, which has solar street poles in municipalities on the Texas coastline, as well as in Europe and the Middle East. 

Representatives from EnGoPlanet have said the poles are 20 feet tall, are made of high-strength structural steel and are galvanized with an industrial finish to prevent corrosion. The poles would be secured to a concrete footing. Each pole has a slim light and has six solar panels integrated into the pole. The poles would cost $25 per month per pole.

While the entire cost for the whole development is not yet known, Convergence officials have said for the first four phases of the planned 10-phase development, there would be about 170 poles. The Granary has already broken ground on Phase 1 of the development and has received preliminary site-plan approval for Phase 2. 

After first being presented to the town council Oct. 7, the council asked the planning and zoning commission for a recommendation. At its Oct. 15 meeting, the commission recommended approval of the plan with conditions, including a photometric plan comparing the conventional streetlight plan of Phase 1 to the solar streetlight plan in Phase 1 and contact with officials in Calhoun County, Texas, where EnGoPlanet has set up similar solar streetlights, so the town can inquire about their experience with the technology.

Additional agenda items

Besides solar streetlights, town council will hold a public hearing with Sussex County Community Development on a community block grant. Following the public hearing, the council will hold additional discussion to determine whether to move forward with pursuing the grant.

In addition, council will discuss memorandums of understanding with Milton Main Street and Artesian Wastewater and Delmarva Power over the Chandler Street wastewater pump station, currently undergoing renovations. 

Council will hear two requests from Milton Theatre: one for a street closure on Union Street for the annual Pride Festival in June and another for the use of two parking spaces for food trucks during the summer months during performances at the theater’s Quayside Stage.

Finally, council will discuss trademarking of the town’s new tagline and logo.