When residents gather for the annual Decorating Day this Sunday, there will be new, ``green’’ Christmas lights for the lampposts and Santa’s cottage.

The Christmas Committee, which organizes the annual Decorating Day activities, is replacing all its conventional holiday lighting with new, energy conserving LED lights.

``We thought it would be a nice commitment to the village and the environment,’’ said committee member Peggy Leon. ``They last a lot longer and use a lot less energy. It was the right thing to do.’’

The LED lights will use 80 percent less energy than the conventional lights that the Christmas Committee has been providing and decorating Cooperstown with for the last 20 years. Not only is that good news for the environment, but also a considerable savings over time, she said.

Leon explained that Mayor Carol Waller connected the committee with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) which was willing to provide a $1,000 grant to help initiate the project. The agency’s funds go toward the purchase of light strands and adapters for the lampposts.

Leon said the committee decided that rather than do only some of the lights, it would be better to replace them all at the same time so the new look will be consistent between the streetscape, Santa’s cottage and the village Christmas tree in Pioneer Park.

``We decided to bite the bullet,’’ she said.

The total bill for the greening of the decorations is $3,500 which leaves the committee in need of $2,500.

Along with providing lights and fresh greens and organizing the decorating of Main Street, Pioneer Street and Railroad Avenue, the committee also brings Santa and Mrs. Claus to stay for the month of December, much to the delight of all the local children.

Residents are invited to participate in Decorating Day this Sunday, Nov. 18, at 2 p.m. to decorate Santa’s Cottage and the village lampposts. All decorations will be provided. Bring wire cutters, gloves and ladders, if available and meet in Pioneer Park. To reserve a pole, call Meg Kiernan at 547-8202.

The following Friday, Nov. 23, Santa will arrive at his cottage in Pioneer Park at 5:30 p.m.

Anyone interested in helping bring a "green Christmas" to Cooperstown, may send a contribution to: Cooperstown Community Christmas Committee, P.O. Box 428, Cooperstown, N.Y. 13326.