EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – The city of East Providence is turning off more than 1,000 streetlights to save money.
The financially troubled city was placed under state fiscal oversight in 2011.
The Pawtucket Times reports that more than 1,200 of the city's approximately 5,000 streetlights will be turned off in January.
Public Works Director Stephen Coutu tells the newspaper it currently costs the city around $750,000 a year to maintain and operate the streetlights, which are owned by National Grid. The budget commission aims to save around $150,000 over five years by removing some lights.
