Nantucket Historical Commission backs letter asking Dark Sky International to allow globes on Main Street fixtures

The Nantucket Historical Commission voted May 16 to draft a letter to Dark Sky International asking that the group permit exterior glass globes on a short section of Main Street while the town converts to dark-sky street lighting.

The decision followed a presentation from Spring City Electric on dark‑sky fixture design, control systems and visual options intended to preserve downtown Nantucket’s historic appearance while meeting the island’s dark‑sky bylaw. Commissioners discussed several decorative internal elements — including a “hurricane” chimney and a faux gas mantle — and weighed durability and maintenance implications.

"You have an opportunity to actually be a leader in the dark sky movement," said Jane Slade of Spring City, who described design and heat‑dissipation choices Spring City uses to keep LED boards long‑lasting. The company showed pilot installations already in use on Nantucket and demonstrated controls that let staff dim fixtures or create timed schedules.

The commission heard that the town’s bylaw and the International Dark‑Sky Association (IDA) standards allow a small percentage of reflected uplight for post‑top fixtures if the fixture meets the relevant upset/BUG requirements. "For the post top fixture, yes, you would still be able to meet the requirements of IDA with that chimney there," said Nick Barton of Spring City.

Drew Padno, director of public works, told commissioners the town can procure fixtures through the Massachusetts state bid list and that DPW has handled unique, one‑off LED prototypes before: "I'm confident that whatever direction we decide to go with, going forward, we'll be able to navigate that." He also described an inventory and planning effort for town‑owned lighting and said the town had technical and capital grants in hand to support fixture replacement.

Commissioners repeatedly said they wanted a historic look for the downtown pilot. "I think the appearance of the chimney seems most appropriate," said Commissioner George Butterworth. Several members said they preferred the chimney/hurricane option over a decorative mantle or a bare, glassless appearance because it appeared more like a functioning lamp when illuminated from above.

Gail Walker of Nantucket Lights said she had asked Dark Sky International for an exemption for Main Street and that the organization had received photometrics for review: "We're still waiting for a decision on that," she said.

The commission voted, 4–0 (Angus McCloud, George Butterworth, Clement [last name on file], and Chair Rita Carr voting aye), to have the commission draft a letter supporting an exemption to allow exterior globes on a defined, short section of Main Street. The motion was made by Commissioner Angus McCloud and seconded by Commissioner George Butterworth.

Commissioners and Spring City agreed to supply sample elements for in‑field comparison: Spring City offered to provide either a complete sample fixture or components (a chimney or mantle) so DPW and the public could compare options in situ. The company noted warranty and performance data for its LED systems and said fixtures can include adaptive controls to schedule dimming and gather diagnostics.

The commission also discussed maintenance tradeoffs. Gail Walker and DPW staff noted that exposed internal elements will likely require periodic cleaning and possible replacement over time, and DPW will factor maintenance implications into procurement and installation plans.

Next steps identified at the meeting included Spring City providing sample components or a prototype fixture for on‑island testing, DPW continuing inventory and procurement planning, and the commission drafting the letter of support to Dark Sky International requesting the Main Street exemption. The panel agreed that the letter should clearly explain the narrow geographic scope of the request and the town’s broader dark‑sky commitments.

Ending — The commission closed the lighting discussion and moved on to other agenda items after thanking Spring City and Gail Walker for the presentation.