City of Helen to Add New Lighting

HELEN, Ga. — The Alpine City will soon have new lighting. The Helen City Council voted Tuesday to accept an offer by Georgia Power Company to replace all 144 street lights with LED lighting at no cost.

Helen City Clerk Marilyn Chastain said the change will save taxpayer dollars due to the longer life span of LED lights. “The new lights are expected to last for many years,” she said. The lights are expected to be installed in the next 30 days.

Council also voted unanimously to approve the purchase of new Ford F-150 Super Cab truck for the fire department for $25,976 from the low bidder Mike Jones Ford in Eastanollee. The new truck will replace a 1996 Ford Bronco the county purchased 20 years ago.

Council also unanimously approved the purchase of a double-check backflow valve for the fire service line at the former Orbit building at a cost of $15,000 from Larry Todd Construction of Toccoa.

City Manager Jerry Elkins said the valve will prevent a backflow from contaminating the well water in case the line breaks.