Poor Lighting and Maintenance Issues Linked to School Vandalism-August 31, 1977

The security committee—accompanied by light department representative William Kates and K-9 Patrol security guard Edward Silver—inspected multiple school facilities, discovering widespread lighting failures that cost taxpayers nearly $100,000 annually.

Inspection Findings and Security Recommendations

The inspection revealed severe infrastructure shortcomings across several key sites:

• Prescott School: The delegation arrived to find the entire exterior in total darkness due to an apparent custodial oversight. Guard Silver noted that his recent reports to the school department flagged 170 broken or non-working lights across school properties.
• Ellis Well Fields and Pumping Stations: Isolated and set back in dark wooded areas along Route 1 just north of Everett Street, the well fields were recently the scene of a disturbance resulting in several arrests. Security Chief James Curran noted that companies along American Drive agreed to help fund and block off the private road from 6:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. Finance Commission Chairman E. Peter Bamber estimated this measure would eliminate 90 percent of local troubles, which are predominantly driven by unauthorized vehicles.
• Cleveland and Willett Schools: Committee members discussed proposals for complete perimeter fencing, security patrol access roads, and vandal-proof lighting. Light department representative Kates suggested utilizing taller poles or illuminating interior classrooms to brighten exterior grounds, while officials also recommended clearing heavy overgrowth and shrubbery behind the Cleveland School.

Committee Chairman Martin J. Lydon directed William Kates to prepare cost estimates for updating school lighting and instructed Police Chief Curran to work with Town Counsel Justin S. Barton on legally posting school grounds with “no trespassing” signs to empower police enforcement.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger