Dear editor:
A big thank you to columnist Brian Marshall for pointing out the negative environmental and human impacts of high intensity lighting (“Of lights and rights and other things,” Arch-i-text, June 1).
Considering the established harm to wildlife and people from light pollution and the steps municipalities across North America have taken to reduce it, he asks whether it is “time for our council to consider doing the same.”
Readers may be interested to know the issue was first brought before the previous council at a committee-of-the-whole meeting in July 2019.
The town’s environmental advisory committee (of which I was then a member) sent a detailed report and draft control bylaw to council in October 2021, and followed up with council again in May 2022.
At that time, town staff advised the matter was on council’s outstanding business list and “continues to be on the radar of staff.”
So, no action after nearly four years, as current Couns. Gary Burroughs and Sandra O’Connor, who were members of the committee, are aware.
Residents who are concerned by the impacts of light pollution or disturbed by nuisance lighting at their own home and want action are encouraged to contact council through Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa.
Paul Jurbala
NOTL