County-Wide Shared Services Initiative (CWSSI) Helps Find Efficiencies and Save Taxpayers Money

State Approves 100% Match of Taxpayer Savings Generated Through the Implementation of Shared Services Project

The New York Department of State (DOS) today announced the Lewis County communities of Copenhagen, Croghan, Lowville and Martinsburg have received awards totaling $144,303 for their efforts to achieve cost savings through streetlight replacement and subsequent upgrade to newer, energy-efficient LED fixtures. The effort was part of a 2020 County Wide Shared Services Initiative (CWSSI) plan and through a partnership with the New York State Power Authority and municipalities in neighboring Jefferson County.

“This streetlight replacement project and upgrade to modern LED technology is a win-win for North Country taxpayers” said Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez. “LED technology provides longer lifespan for the streetlights and many environmental advantages including being energy efficient and producing zero toxic elements. Bringing partners together to find creative solutions and costs savings is at the heart of the CWSSI initiative and I commend these communities and the New York State Power Authority for working together to make this a reality.”

The new LED streetlights will do more than to simply lower energy costs. Previously, DOS announced that it will support the project through an additional $291,220 Local Government Efficiency grant to add asset management nodes to the new fixtures. The installation of these nodes will improve the municipalities’ ability to obtain various data sets in real time and to improve technical abilities. The towns and villages will now be able to track critical information such as cameras, temperature and humidity, noise, pressure, Wi-Fi and GPS. They will also have the ability to adjust brightness of the lights based on conditions from remote locations.

The award breakdown by municipality includes:

Village of Copenhagen – $18,213.00

Village of Croghan – $16,578.50

Lowville – $92,232.50 

Martinsburg – $17,279.00

NYPA Interim President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, “The Smart Street Lighting NY initiative has been an extremely successful tool in advancing the goals of New York’s Climate Act—the most aggressive climate change legislation in the nation. Our partnerships with the communities within Lewis County upgrade local lighting infrastructure while realizing significant yearly energy and ownership savings.” 

Chairman of the Board of Legislators of Lewis County Larry Dolhof, said “The Lewis County Planning Department has been working closely with our Town Supervisors and the NYSDOS to implement the LED streetlighting program. Once again, Lewis County leads the North Country region in clean energy production and energy efficiency. We are truly, Naturally Lewis.”

The CWSSI generates property tax savings by facilitating collaboration between local governments across the state. Over the last five years, the CWSSI program has awarded more than $34 million in matching funds to 21 counties, supporting 94 shared services projects, and generating approximately $35 million in savings to local governments.

Guidance documents regarding the CWSSI and state match application process, as well as past CWSSI plans, are available here.

The County-Wide Services Initiative is administered by the Division of Local Government Services at the Department of State. The Division provides technical assistance and competitive grants to local governments. For more information on CWSSI or any programs administered by the Division, please contact localgov@dos.ny.gov or call 518 473-3355.

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