Parsons city commissioners rejected two requests for new streetlights Monday.
Rob Montee requested a streetlight at his property at 3631 Morgan Ave. because of suspicious vehicles near the dead-end, and Mike Godbey wanted a light added by his property at the end of South 29th Street near Ashwood Avenue.
The city has an unwritten policy to add and maintain streetlights only at intersections, but commissioners have discretion to add others. The city pays Westar Energy about $9 a month per streetlight.
Commissioners earlier this year considered a cost-share program for residents wanting to add streetlights not normally covered by the policy but later learned Westar couldn’t allow that. They then agreed to creation of an application for new streetlights that provides all of the pertinent information.
On Monday the commission turned down Montee’s request on a 5-0 vote because city staff presented information that the light would be placed on a pole that would light only Montee’s driveway and a grassy area. It is too far from the roadway to light the street. There is another pole west of Montee’s property, but it is even farther from the street. Montee could pay Westar for a security light on the pole in his yard.
Godbey already has a security light on a pole near another pole where he is requesting a streetlight. City Manager Debbie Lamb said he likely wants to remove that light if a streetlight could be added.
(Read more: Parsons Sun)