Some Brookfield property owners don't want to pay to install new street lights on their block, while others say the lighting is necessary.

Both groups had the chance to address township trustees and officials from Ohio Edison at a special meeting Wednesday evening. Trustees took no action.

Township officials showed residents plans of streets to be included in the proposed lighting district. They include Warren-Sharon Road and part of Obermiyer Road; Sunset Drive; and Wood, Grove and Seaburn streets.

Township Fire Chief Keith Barrett Barrett told the residents that installing the streetlights will cost $38,242.

The lights would cost taxpayers $60 for the first half of the year the lights are installed, $60 for the second half and then $2.85 per year after that to operate the district. Those prices are guaranteed by Ohio Edison through 2004, he said. Frank O'Brien, a representative from Ohio Edison, said that the annual operating cost of the district would be $770.

Township officials told the audience that in order for lights to be installed, property owners representing more than 50 percent of the lengths of the streets have to be in favor.

Barrett said that though some landowners are against the lighting district, the overwhelming majority of owners want it.

"Probably about 98 percent of property owners have signed petitions," he said.

He brought in the pages of petitions to prove it.

Barrett added that he did get some letters from people who are opposed to the project, saying "I have a stack of naysayers."

Barrett gave people at Wednesday's meeting another chance to opt out of the lighting district.

Many who turned out for the meeting were in favor of the proposed lighting, including Florence Bondor, who lives in Girard but owns property on the southern part of Obermiyer Road that isn't scheduled to receive lighting.

"We want them," she said, adding that "taxes are lower in areas that are lighted" because they are considered "a lot safer."

Not everyone agreed with the proposal. Jim Husnick, who lives on Obermiyer Road, said that the lights shouldn't be put where people don't want them.