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Some Streetlights Could Be Doused in Knowlton

October 5, 2026

Streetlmap at night casting light into the dark night — Knowlton officials are mulling turning off about two dozen streetlights that have been deemed as serving low-risk spots as a cost-saving measure. Photo by Joe Phalon.

Town officials in Knowlton want to shine a light on lights that are not shining.

Specifically, streetlights that don’t work and those that are not needed because of redundancy or are illuminating places that don’t need illuminating.

“We pay almost $2,000 a month for streetlights,” said Mayor Debra Shipps. “And half of them don’t work.”

There are a total of 77 streetlights in Knowlton, Shipps said. Yes, that is a small number for a township that is 25.5 square miles. Some towns have 77 streetlights on one street. Newark, New Jersey, which is similar in area to Knowlton at 25.4 square miles, has approximately 25,000 streetlights. (Newark also has approximately 800 intersections with traffic lights while Knowlton has…none. But Knowlton has more farm stands.)

Former committeeman and community advocate Rene Mathez recently conducted an informal survey of streetlights in the township and identified many that are not working properly and some that probably aren’t necessary. Of the lights that are not working, the town still pays Jersey Central Power & Light, Shipps said.

Shipps directed township attorney Tara St. Angelo to look into any legal issues that could arise from removing streetlights.

The recommendations would not include heavily used intersections or any intersections with state or county roads. A final list is expected to be completed and forwarded to the state Department of Transportation, Shipps said. Approximately 23 lights will be reviewed.

Committee member Adel Starrs said the township paid $1,840 for streetlights just for September.

“This should represent a substantial saving,” Starrs said.

Joe Phalon, Contributing Writer

Contributing Writer

Joe brings decades of journalism experience to the Ridge View Echo, covering everything from local school boards to the U.S. Supreme Court. A former National Law Journal editor and Columbia Law School press officer, he now enjoys telling community stories in Blairstown, where he lives with his wife, Rose, and their two dachshunds.