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Town's Christmas Lights Plans Darkened
(posted Dec 13)
Clermont remains a little dark this Christmas season after the town council
found it was unable to use IPL's poles to plug in Christmas lights. Some
council members gathered prior to Thanksgiving to replace bulbs, only to
find out their work was for naught. The plan was to hang the Christmas
decorations down Crawfordsville Road the day after Thanksgiving.
Councilor Nancy Baxter said she was told by IPL that the poles do not have
receptacles, so the lights could not be hung. IPL could not install receptacles
by Christmas.
Baxter said other communities have run into the same problem. She said
she received a letter from IPL stating it will start charging municipalities
for electricity used for devices other than traffic signals and street
lights. The IURC gave approval for the tariff change in May.
Councilor Vonda Kiger said several years ago the council refused to spend
$200 to have receptacles installed.
The town is not completely barren. The town spent $1,200 for winter banners.
Baxter said the train decoration is in need of a $1,200 repair. The train
is normally displayed at the town entrance, but it has deteriorated too
badly for display this year. She said a new train display would cost $5,000.
However, she preferred to restore the 30 year-old decoration because of
its "uniqueness."
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