Dear editor:

I read with great interest the opinion piece written by Brian Marshall in the June 1 edition of The Lake Report, “Of lights and rights and other things.”

As an emeritus member of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America and an executive member of the society’s street lighting committee for many years, I found his in-depth knowledge and understanding of lighting to be refreshing.

He is correct in his assertion that a comprehensive lighting bylaw is needed in the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake to reduce the negative effects of poorly installed outdoor lighting that adversely affects our health and contributes to light trespass on neighbouring properties

I have been involved in the development of published ANSI/IES recommended practices for street and area lighting as well as preparing outdoor lighting recommendations and standards for municipalities in the GTA and across the country for many years.

These standards and recommendations have always included light-source colour quality and control of glare and light trespass.

I am aware that the Town of NOTL has been working on a nuisance lighting bylaw for some time and I have offered my services to the municipality previously to help move this project along.

Perhaps with Mr. Marshall’s opinion piece, we can expedite some action by our new council.

William Smelser
NOTL