SHELBURNE — About 60 residents quickly backed four articles at Monday’s Special Town Meeting, but heard a lengthy discussion on streetlight options during the preceding Selectboard meeting that will continue on Aug. 28.

Energy Committee Chair Tom Johnson pointed out the pros and cons of an energy-saving Eversource streetlight proposal, which involves replacing the current lights with LEDs, compared to options for the town to own its own low-wattage lights.

“There are some savings if we choose the Eversource option, but even greater savings if we choose the other [town-owned] option,” Johnson said.

If Shelburne accepts Eversource’s plan to install 30-watt LEDs, the town would reduce its electric usage by 30,500 kilowatt hours per year — saving $5,347 annually on its streetlight bills, according to Johnson. But Eversource also charges the town a “rental fee” for use of the lights at about $8,280 per year.

By owning its own streetlights, Johnson said, the town would save about $6,000 more than it would save with the Eversource LED option, equating to between $10,000 and $11,000 worth of savings annually. The town would also have more options to dim the streetlights in Shelburne Falls after midnight, saving even more money and energy.

Johnson said the cost of an Eversource light “buyout” is roughly $55,000, but that money may be found through grants, town stabilization funds or through a seven-year, tax-exempt lease/purchase agreement.

“We spoke to five randomly selected town administrators and all have said they are very happy they purchased their lights,” Johnson said. “We spoke to town tax collectors … and all confirmed significantly higher savings, both in energy and money. Based on their experience — in Greenfield’s case, 10 years strong — it’s clearly the way to go.”

But Selectboard and Finance Committee members had several questions about the plan.

Selectboard member Rick LaPierre asked if the town would be liable if too-dim lighting was deemed to be a factor in a vehicle striking a pedestrian. He also questioned the Energy Committee’s estimate that Shelburne would save $231,318 (adjusted for inflation) more over 25 years than if it were to choose the Eversource plan. He asked if replacement costs for aging lights and fixtures were built into that calculation.

Johnson explained the brightness level of the streetlights would be set by a professional consultant, and that a 3% annual increase is built into the figures.

Finance Committee Chair Matt Popoli asked if the committee members had spoken to any of the towns that opted not to buy their own streetlights, as a basis of comparison. Johnson said they hadn’t but offered to provide contact information for town officials that Energy Committee members spoke with in Greenfield, Hadley, Erving, Pepperell and Lubbock, Texas.

Streetlights will again be on the Aug. 28 Selectboard meeting agenda.

“The [Selectboard] can always tell the Energy Committee to give it a try, and if it doesn’t work, we can go back to Eversource,” said Selectboard member Andrew Baker, pointing out there is no time limit on the utility company’s offer. “We can always go to Annual Town Meeting and give people the option to vote.”

Special Town Meeting results

Voters who convened at Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School unanimously agreed to spend:

■$63,000 for a hybrid 2023 Ford Police Interceptor cruiser, to replace a broken down 2016 cruiser. The remaining $63,000 balance will come from the Vehicle Stabilization Account and a Community Compact Efficiency and Regionalization grant. In the future, such purchases will be split with Buckland, now that the two towns share one police department.

■$300 for the Highway Department’s Snow and Ice Account, bringing funding up to last winter’s cost of $114,300.

■$6,000 from the Bridge Street Tree Stabilization Account for permeable materials for the new tree wells along Bridge Street.

■$40,000 from the Stabilization Account to go to the Memorial Hall Theater Renovation Account, representing part of the required funds to match a state Cultural Facilities Fund grant.