How Many Contractors Does It Take...?

To The Editor:

As owner of the Freedom Candle Co. in Granby, a 2,000-square-foot retail store, I was not surprised to read about the “Funding Power Outage” in your June 16 edition.

I had to respond.

A few months ago a contractor for Connecticut Light & Power approached me with the offer to replace the 21 or so incandescent light bulbs in my store with compact florescent lamps. In round numbers, he said he would “only” charge CL&P $2,000, of which I would pay $1,300 and CL&P would absorb the remaining $700.

I went to a lighting center and purchased the bulbs myself for $250 at retail.

To charge $2,000 for the same outcome seems preposterous. One way or the other, the taxpayers and ratepayers foot the bill.

Perhaps this program started out and is suited for huge manufacturing buildings, where they prefer not to do the changeover themselves. But to me, it seems like an abuse of the program [to apply it to areas] where one can get on a 3-foot step stool and do it yourself.

But, maybe that’s just me.

Jerry Crane

Owner, Freedom Candle Co.

Granby