Lights out for Woonsocket

WOONSOCKET, R.I. (AP/WPRI) - In an effort to improve Woonsocket's financial crisis , the city says it is shutting off up to one-third of the 4,200 street lights in the city.

Public Works Director Michael Annarummo says the plan could save the city up to $120,000 in utility costs in the next fiscal year's budget.

The plan approved by the city council earlier this week is to darken every other light on secondary streets.

The city will start turning the lights off this fiscal year, but Annarummo says there will be little savings at first because National Grid is charging the city a shutoff fee of $25 per fixture.

For safety reasons, lights will not be turned off on streets and intersections with heavy traffic.