Captree tower lights shine only at night, now
Hank Mills of Bay Shore inspects lights around the Robert Moses Water Tower after they were repaired to shine only at night instead of 24-7. - Newsday photo by David L. Pokress
Every Sunday, I drive my car to Captree State Park in Babylon, weather permitting, and I’ve noticed that the ground lights shining up to illuminate the Robert Moses Water Tower are on 24 hours a day. Not only are these bulbs burning, but so are our taxpayer dollars. How do we turn them off?
--Hank Mills, Bay Shore
You won't see the lights on during the day anymore, Mr. Mills.
A German-made light sensor for the 12 high-pressure sodium bulbs that illuminate the tower failed earlier this year and had to be replaced, Captree officials said.
Until the lighting system was repaired, workers had to control the lights manually with equipment housed in the tower. But workers were forced to leave the lights on 24-7 after a hinge on the tower’s metal door broke, and they were instructed to stay away to prevent injury.
The replacement part was installed the same week we called. “The lights are only supposed to be on at night and we have resumed that schedule,” said Dan Keefe, spokesman for the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
According to Keefe, Captree’s bulbs are photocell controlled, which means they have sensors that automatically turn on the lights when the sun goes down. In winter months, the lights will typically illuminate around 4 p.m. and stay lit until 7 a.m. the next morning.
Anyone with questions or concerns about a state park can call the Long Island office of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation at 631-669-1000 or submit an email form.
-- MICHAEL R. EBERT
Related sites on this topic:
