[Atmob-discuss] towns with LP laws

[Michael Brown]

Yes, enforcement is a constant issue.  In Townsend I was the main proponent 
of a lighting bylaw that passed in 1997.  Since then, all street lights have 
been changed to full cutoff, a number of bad floodlights at the schools and 
elsewhere have been removed, and most new businesses have complied. 
Occasionally, on a regular basis, I happen to notice a new business (or in 
one case a new town fire station) that ignored the requirement for full 
cutoff lights.  In every case, I complain to the building inspector, and he 
then enforces it.  I'm not sure why he doesn't check in the first place, but 
I'm glad at least he takes action when I bring it to his attention.  Most 
recently, last month, a new health club put in 10 unshielded wall-packs all 
around the building.  The owner is being required to change them, which is 
partly completed.  I heard the owner is suing the electrical contractor over 
not following the bylaw in the first place.

I also recently noticed that the state put in a bunch of street lights on 
the portion of Rt 119 that runs through a state park that is partly in 
Townsend and part in Ashby.  Anyone know if they are required to follow town 
bylaws?  (Because they did not.)

Mario - in addition to Townsend and Harvard, which I believe you already 
know about, Boxborough has a bylaw requiring full shielding.

Mike

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <pbealo at comcast.net>
To: "Mario Motta" <mmotta at massmed.org>; "ATMOB-discuss" 
<atmob-discuss at atmob.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2008 2:20 PM
Subject: Re: [Atmob-discuss] towns with LP laws


> Having the ordinance is less than 1/2 the battle.
>
> Next, YOU have to train the local code enforcement officer on how to 
> enforce it or volunteer your time to help enforce it yourself. Then, you 
> have to run and get elected to Planning Board to help ensure any new and 
> amended plan if good right from the beginning!
>
> My town is only 7800 people, so we have few new or revised plans that need 
> attention, and I spend maybe 1 hour every other month researching proposed 
> light fixtures for our code enforcement officer. almost every PE coming 
> before us says his lights are full cutoff and meet our code - almost all 
> of them are WRONG.
>
> Its no big deal, but it does require constant vigelance.
>
> Peter
>
>
> -------------- Original message ----------------------
> From: "Mario Motta" <mmotta at massmed.org>
>> Paul, (and all), why so defeatest??
>> Submit and work for a town ordinance and and see what happens.
>> The public is mostly on our side, their has been a sea change in attitude
>> the past few years.
>> I got Gloucester to approve based on sound arguments, and the public
>> supported all the way, you can do the same. neither I (or any other
>> outsider) can do the same in your town.
>> If you think you need data, there is plenty. I am currently trying to
>> accumulate the world literature on this, already have quite a few 
>> documents
>> on the effects of glare disability. You can simply search on Google 
>> "glare
>> disability" you will see many supporting documents.
>>
>> I thank all for the info on towns, I needed that data, and will compile a
>> list when I speak in the Senate next week. If any know of more towns, 
>> keep
>> the data coming. This will prove helpful for our strategy with the State 
>> as
>> well.
>>
>> Everyone (especially you Paul), stop being defeatest. If you make no
>> attempt, then you deserve the light polluted skies over Burlington you 
>> have.
>> The spark of change has to come from us, go for it.
>>
>> Mario Motta- Hide quoted text -
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Jul 17, 2008 at 11:40 AM, Paul A. Valleli <valleli at rcn.com> 
>> wrote:
>> I believe John Blomquist said there was a new law in place in Westford,
>> several years ago.
>> Maybe everyone is ignoring it as un-enforceable.
>>
>> These things need the sting of fines, an increase in taxes,  or a day in 
>> the
>> stocks, if they are to be effective.
>> I have not submitted Matt Arsenault's proposal to the Selectmen and town
>> meeting because of the lack of scientific criteria and enforcement 
>> policy.
>> Paul
>
>
>


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