Mayoral and City Council candidate views on light pollution

1. City planning and the associated zoning laws and oversight of code compliance is, perhaps, one of the most robust spheres of authority held by the municipal government. That makes city government especially well suited to look at this issue. I take seriously the need to balance the city’s need to increase the available housing stock at every segment of the market (affordable, attainable, etc.) with our obligations as citizens of a planet in crisis to grow in ways that are sustainable, environmentally responsible, and healthy for people and all of the living things in our eco-habitat. The science indicates that light pollution is absolutely a part of this calculus and the city should treat it as such.

2. As a member of the Planning Board, I have played a hands-on role in the implementation of Northampton’s Dark Sky ordinance. Because I am in that role, I cannot, at this, comment on any specific project that could come before the Planning Board while I am still serving. That said, I am aware of all the great work by residents and city staff to develop that ordinance and to ensure that it is successfully implemented. In whatever role of service to the city I find myself in the future, I will advocate for Northampton’s continued commitment to managing light pollution in the city and will always advocate that we always push ahead to maintain best practices and adoption of light mitigating technology and strategies. 

3. I’m always in favor of collaboration between city departments and residents. There is a great deal to be gained with a thoughtful exchange of ideas and expertise. That said, the Energy and Sustainability Commission and the Planning Board are each tasked with oversight and consideration of light pollution issues, as well as enforcement by city staff. I’m not sure that a standing committee dedicated solely to outdoor lighting is needed, but it might be the case that an ad hoc committee would be useful in the case of a large scale outdoor lighting project.

1. Yes, I think it's important for the city to pay close attention to any type of pollution that negatively impacts the health of people and wildlife.
2. To reduce light pollution from these projects we may have to revisit what type of lighting has been planned to be used and consult with experts in the area of lighting and light pollution to see what the best options are.
3. I wholeheartedly support an outdoor lighting committee. I think it's important for the future health and safety of residents and wildlife. It would also take the burden of figuring out lighting of certain projects off the city.

1. We recognize that our Climate and Environment are constantly evolving, and that man-made influences are largely responsible for that.  Our Climate Resiliency and Regeneration Plan should include a section about the detrimental effects of light pollution on wildlife and human life.  Specific attention to the impacts on circadian rhythms should be paid.

2. I find this to be a place that we can make a lot of strides, both for our environment as well as for our tax base.  If we could do a traffic/safety study about Northampton’s streets and reduce the number of streetlights in use after 2:00am we could create quite a savings, that money could be used to fund other projects to increase safety.  

3. We have many municipal boards and commissions, groups that advise the Mayor’s office about the issues they are devoted to.  I would think a Outdoor Lighting Committee would be a good addition, perhaps as a sub-committee of the Conservation Commission.

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1. Yes, The City should be attention as lighting is designed and approved to the impacts on human, animal, and environmental health. 2. In my current term, I have raised questions regarding lighting as we have been asked to approve financial orders.  I will continue to do this as well as to work with the planning and building departments as appropriate.  Additionally, I co-sponsored a resolution in support of the state's Dark Sky bill that passed unanimously, drawing councilor and executive branch attention to lighting design. 3. I agree that lighting expertise is needed on our city committees so that lighting that could be improved would be caught in the design phase and before plans are approved.  A new city committee could be one avenue, though it would require additional city staff and resident volunteers who are experts in the subject matter.  Another mechanism that currently exists for reviewing lighting and adding conditions to projects is the Planning Board, and it would be appropriate for an individual with expertise in lighting to apply to serve on the Planning Board.

1. There are a lot of studies that have come out recently that refocus the question of health and safety from a place of "tough it out" to a place of serious consideration of people's wellbeing. I am all for this readjustment because it helps to divorce us from the overall drive to work harder and longer at the expense of our mental and physical health. Anything that we can do that will not only affect ourselves in a more positive way, but will also have a positive affect on the animals that we cohabitate with is something that we should pursue. 

2. I would additionally add light pollution from the Hampshire Correctional Facility to this list of places that greatly add to light pollution in the city. As an elected representative I would work with groups who have a vested interest in seeing this form of light pollution be removed to figure out alternatives and possibilities of changing this for the city. I have heard of some solutions, such as motion activated lights in garages and shielded directional lights that reduce the amount of light spill. I do not know if these are the best solutions, but I would like to know more about what research is available and how we can engage some of those solutions in our city.

3. I believe that we need to have citizen involvement in the decision making process in a real way - not just as a box that is checked along the route to a foregone conclusion. Lighting affects everyone who lives around the locations that we are talking about and everyone should be able to weigh in on how the current set-up affects their day-to-day (or night-to-night, as it were) as well as how they would like to see it reimagined. In terms of getting more government departments to weigh in on the changes I hesitate to outweigh community voices with governmental ones simply because more out-of-box ideas come from those who aren't constrained by their jobs and who they owe favors to. I would keep an open mind toward government involvement, but I would not urge for an overwhelming number of departments to be included every step of the way.

1. We as a society have embarked on a grand experiment in human and animal health by lighting the night to levels never before seen. I am a firm believer in the precautionary principle and since there is evidence of safety concerns, I believe we must pay attention to the science of the issue and adjust our city policies accordingly.

2. I am working on improving our city’s lighting ordinance and will continue for advocate for city and state projects to use the scientific best practices for outdoor lighting, with the minimum illumination required to do the job. All new municipal infrastructure must follow these practices, and we need to retrofit existing infrastructure whenever possible.

3. Yes, this would help the City make the most informed decisions around lighting throughout the design process. I strongly support the creation of such a committee.

1. During my terms as the longest serving City Councilor I have been proud that Public Health and Environmental Protection are two things I have always valued significantly.  I understand that Northampton Municipal Officials are aware of and follow the latest lighting recommendations from organizations, such as the International Dark-Sky Association, the American Medical Association and the Federal Highway Administration when planning and installing new outdoor lighting fixtures. Northampton has an outdoor lighting code and is in the process of updating that code to take into account recent changes in scientific research and studies, improvements in lighting technology and incorporating recommendations from such organizations as the International Dark-Sky Association.2. If re-elected, I will insure that Northampton’s projects meet updated city lighting code, to reduce light pollution.  The roundhouse, the Gare parking garage and the roundabout, as well as any future projects, must meet Northampton’s outdoor lighting code.  The city’s outdoor lighting code follows the latest Dark-sky recommendations.  I will base my approval of any Northampton budget appropriations for new outdoor lighting on the same. I will support maintaining lighting levels needed for safety and the removal of light fixtures that serve no safety function. 3.  Yes, I do support the idea of having an Outdoor Lighting Committee in our City of Northampton.  Concerned citizens working with City Government should share in advising the City of Northampton on what lights should be used in our city.  We have a wealth of knowledgeable residents who would bring knowledge and experience, to assist Northampton in making informed decisions for the health and the environment of everyone in our city.  In addition, transparency and communication are very important within the City of Northampton and its residents.

1. Yes, after over two decades of studies, the science is clear on the negative impact of excessive lighting on both human physical and mental health as well as wildlife. Northampton’s municipal government, along with businesses and residents, should be doing all we can to mitigate the peril of ever-increasing light pollution. 2. As a sitting City Councilor I have co-sponsored and successfully passed a Resolution to affirm the City of Northampton’s clear commitment to addressing light pollution;  A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF “AN ACT IMPROVING OUTDOOR LIGHTING AND INCREASING DARK-SKY VISIBILITY”.
As a Councilor serving on Northampton’s Energy and Sustainability Commission I have continually represented specific concerns about the above projects as well as the need for an integrated lighting review committee. Councilor Jarrett and I made sure the Illuminating Engineering Society/International Dark-Sky Association’s  Five Principles of Responsible Outdoor Lighting were codified in the City’s Climate Resilience and Regeneration plan and also had the Principles endorsed by the Energy and Sustainability Commission.
In my second term I plan on continuing to work with community experts to strengthen Northampton’s existing lighting ordinance so it better reflects the Dark Sky principles.
As a public health professional I know the power of a well-designed educational campaign. I would gladly support the creation and funding for a light pollution awareness campaign aimed at residents and businesses to bring the light of awareness to this critical environmental issue. Please excuse the pun!
Lastly, the mitigation of light pollution takes advocating at every level. I have used my capacity as an elected official to advocate for anti-light pollution measures on the state level and would be happy to do so on federal and international levels. 3. I do support establishing an Outdoor Lighting Committee. The Roundhouse Plaza, Gare Parking Garage and Route 9 Roundabout lighting issues are precisely what could be avoided by establishing an Outdoor Lighting Committee.The most effective and least costly way to address lighting concerns is to integrate a lighting review into the formative phases of every municipal project. We are so fortunate to have such involved, thoughtful, and educated residents in Northampton and our city government should utilize these local resources to make Northampton a model for other municipalities in light pollution mitigation.

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