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DOLLAR BAY -- A plan to shave Osceola Township's electric bill by twenty percent has some residents upset that they weren't given warning. 

Lighting is dimmer in Dollar Bay these days, after 40 of the streetlights were removed in an effort to save the township money.  Township board members approved the removal in June. 

Supervisor Steve Karpiak estimated it will save the township $6,000 a year.  Last year the township's electric bill was $31,000.

"UPPCO said to take the lights down; it didn't cost anything," said Karpiak.  "But if the board changed its mind and wanted to put up the lights within a year of them coming down, it would cost about $200 per light."

When TV6 asked residents what they thought about the light removal, some say they haven't even noticed.  But others who walk at night say it's a safety risk.

"You can't see," said Rick Grueb.  "And a lot of people walk around town, just to walk, and walk their dogs.  They really like to have the safety of a light on."

"It's pitch black out there," said Mark Este.  "You can't see anything.  Somebody's going to get bumped or run over or something."

The lights taken down were mainly on side streets, between two corners.  Some lights between intersections remain, like in front of the Catholic church and Dollar Bay School.

"If they want to have the light put up, they can call UPPCO and UPPCO will put the light up for them," Karpiak said.   "However, then they can pay for the light."

Several people plan to voice their concerns at the next township board meeting, scheduled for November 13.