Residents, commissioners discuss LED streetlight plan, Dark Sky concerns and fixture design

Franklin Township commissioners heard a sustained public-comment discussion about LED streetlight replacements, fixture design and light‑pollution impacts.

A resident referenced Dark Sky International guidance and urged the township and utility to select warmer color temperatures and downward‑shielded fixtures to reduce skyglow and effects on nocturnal wildlife and sleep. Speakers at the meeting recommended a color temperature below 3,500 kelvins — with 2,700–3,000 K suggested for night hours — and emphasized fixture cutoffs that keep beams downward rather than allowing light to spill upward or horizontally.

Commission members and other commenters raised operational tradeoffs. One participant noted that police prefer brighter, whiter lights for color recognition at crime scenes, and commissioners observed the utility must file a tariff with the state for systemwide changes. The commission was told a Rutgers‑led study on the township’s streetlight system was completed in December and forwarded to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities; a consultant working with the BPU and contractors in Oregon helped compile the report.

Speakers urged the township to require light fixtures that are recessed and aimed downward, to specify dimmable LED controls so intensity can be reduced at low‑traffic hours, and to include fixture design and color‑temperature limits in future procurement and tariff approvals. Commenters also suggested targeted engineering reviews for shopping‑center and commercial lighting, where poorly aimed fixtures can leave glare or fail to illuminate intended target areas.

No formal decision was taken at the meeting; commissioners said they will continue to monitor the BPU process and requested that utility recommendations be circulated to the commission when available.