Carroll’s LED Streetlight Project Paves the Way for Future Energy Initiatives

In a small town like Carroll, even modest energy projects can make a big difference. That’s why the town’s Energy Commission identified the transition to high-efficiency LED streetlights as their first major initiative.

“This was the low-hanging fruit,” explained members of the Energy Commission. It was a relatively simple project with significant cost savings for the town.

Support from Clean Energy NH, neighboring communities that had already made the switch, and guidance from the North Country Energy Circuit Rider helped set the project in motion. The Circuit Rider provided sample warrant articles and Affinity LED Lighting LLC walked the commission through the process, while Eversource incentives added a strong financial motivation. With surrounding towns already operating with LED streetlights, it was clear the time had come for Carroll to act.

Collaboration Across Town Departments

From the start, the Energy Commission prioritized collaboration. They worked closely with Public Safety, including the Police and Fire Chiefs, to ensure that critical lighting needs and concerns were met and no essential streetlights were removed. The Public Works Director was also brought into the process to provide insight on maintenance needs.

Looking beyond Carroll, the commission met with the Administrative Assistant in Bethlehem to learn from their recent streetlight and solar projects. Keeping the Select Board informed was another priority, especially since they would need to approve moving forward with a contractor and approving the warrant article drafted by the commission.

The Energy Commission, established in October 2023, reached out to Affinity LED Lighting, a company experienced in municipal conversions. After careful consideration, the commission recommended working with Affinity LED Lighting but decided not to pursue more complex “networked” lighting systems. With a tight deadline to finalize a warrant article before the end of December, the Energy Commission moved quickly to keep the project on track. 

The effort aligned perfectly with the commission’s mission:

“The Carroll Energy Commission’s mission is to advise, encourage, and facilitate energy conservation, energy efficiency, and clean energy solutions for public buildings and properties, businesses, and resident homes. The Committee shall provide leadership and direction for community education relating to energy and shall propose and explore funding for local energy projects.”

Community Support and Voter Confidence

Gaining public support was crucial. The Energy Commission hosted a public information session, spoke at the 2024 deliberative session, and even spent two freezing cold Saturdays in February at the transfer station to answer questions and build trust with voters. Flyers were also distributed near the post office.

At these events a demonstration LED streetlight, provided by Affinity LED Lighting, proved to be a valuable tool. It allowed residents to see firsthand the improved light quality and lower glare that LEDs provide. 

This outreach paid off: the warrant article for the LED project passed with 84% voter approval, showing that Carroll residents cared about the savings, the better light quality, and the lower maintenance costs.

Implementation and Challenges

The project was approved by voters in March 2024, and most of the lights were installed by December 2024. The final five lights were completed in February 2025, making it an 11-month process from approval to completion.

While the project was considered “low-hanging fruit,” it wasn’t without challenges. The biggest hurdle was reconciling Eversource’s streetlight inventory with the actual fixtures in town. It took persistence and attention to detail from the Energy Commission to get everything aligned.

Lessons Learned

For towns considering similar projects, Carroll’s Energy Commission offers several key pieces of advice:

• Do your homework: Talk to other communities that have completed similar projects and ask for real data on cost savings.

• Join Clean Energy NH: Their resources and support were invaluable throughout the process.

• Keep stakeholders informed: Regular updates to the Select Board, town staff, and residents helped maintain transparency and trust.

• Engage the public early: Demonstration LED streetlight and public info session were critical for gaining voter support.

• Expect delays: Projects often take longer than expected, so plan for flexibility.

Building Momentum for Future Projects

The success of the LED streetlight project had ripple effects across the community.

By demonstrating its ability to deliver meaningful results, the Energy Commission built credibility with both voters and the Select Board. This paved the way for future projects, including a new solar photovoltaic array at the Public Safety Building, which received 77% approval at the 2025 Annual Meeting.

The LED project showed residents that the commission’s work brings real savings and tangible benefits to the town.  It gave voters the confidence to support larger, more complex initiatives.

Keys to Success

Looking back, the Energy Commission credits their success to three main factors:

• Persistence — Staying focused despite challenges.

• Communication — Keeping everyone informed, from town officials to residents.

• Community engagement — Meeting people where they are, whether at public meetings or the transfer station.

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Through this project, Carroll not only upgraded its streetlights but also laid the foundation for a brighter, more energy-efficient future.