THOMPSON—The Town of Thompson is one step closer to creating a new lighting district encompassing the commercial and business district on State Route 42.

The town board voted to accept the “map, plan, and report” of the Route 42N lighting district, which includes stores like Walmart, Home Depot, Catskill Hudson Bank, Taco Bell and ShopRite.

“We are investing in the economic driver for [the] town of Thompson and Sullivan County to make it more appealing, safe and inviting,” said Thompson Town Supervisor Bill Rieber Jr.

And soon after the town board voted to approve the map plan, they set a public hearing which will happen at the March 15 Thompson Town Board meeting at 7 p.m.

While creating the new lighting district, the town is also looking to convert all lighting to more energy and cost-saving LED fixtures.

This new lighting district that will primarily benefit the business district on Route 42 and “legally allows for the Town of Thompson to recoup the cost of installing and maintaining the continued operation of additional lighting as it benefits business and local residences,” according to an engineering report prepared by Guth DeConzo Consulting Engineers, P.C.

The new lighting district looks to increase visibility to the storefronts along State Route 42 while improving vehicle and pedestrian safety and will include 141 property parcels. The project is expected to be completed by this summer.

According to the engineering report, the total project cost will be $92,619.

The district will be levied $9.90 for residential property and a typical business will pay $34.10 — both paid annually for those living within the new lighting.

Some properties within the lighting district will not be charged due to their tax-exempt status, like Thompson Town Hall.

Out of $92,000 that will be spent, $70,000 will be for the cost of the new poles and lighting equipment.

The levy created from the new lighting district will pay for construction, engineering, administrative and legal fees.