Rangeley committee lowers overnight brightness for electronic signs, sets hours and demo

The Rangeley Ordinance Committee voted Oct. 29 to lower the proposed overnight brightness limit for internally illuminated signs from 500 nits to 100 nits and to adopt timing controls that will allow sign illumination only during usual business hours and until 10 p.m. or when the business closes, whichever is later.

Committee members said the changes were intended to align the town’s draft sign ordinance with dark‑sky recommendations while allowing businesses limited evening messaging. Val moved to amend the draft to reduce the overnight cap; Scott seconded and the motion carried, recorded in the transcript as “Motion carries.”

Why it matters: the committee is drafting a town ordinance that would appear on a future ballot and could determine whether internally illuminated signs are permitted in Rangeley at all. Committee members and commenters raised concerns about the ordinance language, including how brightness is measured (the draft referenced measurement "under conditions of a full white display") and how the rules would affect businesses such as theaters and schools.

Key details adopted and clarified

- Nighttime brightness: The committee amended the draft so the luminance level for operation between sunset and sunrise shall not exceed 100 nits. Committee members discussed removing the phrase "full white display" and agreed that specifying a 100‑nit limit was clearer for enforcement and public understanding.

- Daytime maximum: The draft retains language that electronic changing signs can reach much higher brightness during daylight hours; the proposed daytime reference in the draft was 10,000 nits to ensure visibility in sunlight.

- Timing of illumination: The committee adopted the following rule as amended: "Signs may only be illuminated during usual business hours until 10 p.m. or when the business closes, whichever is later." That language is intended to allow signs for businesses that open early or remain open late to operate during their hours but to establish a community cutoff at 10 p.m. unless a business remains open later.

- Placement and code insertion: Members voted to insert the timing language into the proposed ordinance as section 38.10.0.8.1 point c.

- Graphics and animation: The committee voted to remove a provision that would have banned graphic displays outright. The committee clarified that static graphic content will be permitted, but the draft continues to restrict animation and rapid changes; the proposal discussed a minimum interval for content change (members referenced a five‑minute change interval as an example in discussion) and proscribed flashing, blinking and pulsing.

- Controls and permits: The committee kept a requirement that all electronic changing signs be equipped with automatic dimming controls so brightness is highest during the day and lowest at night. The proposed permit application must include manufacturer specifications listing maximum sign brightness so code enforcement can confirm compliance at permit time.

- Sign area and other numeric items: Members considered a proposed maximum luminous surface area of 200 square feet but noted that is larger than existing local limits and elected not to adopt that larger size in the draft.

Votes and formal actions

- Motion to accept Oct. 15 minutes: approved (recorded in the meeting as unanimous).

- Motion to amend draft brightness in 38.10.8.1(a) from 500 nits to 100 nits: motion by Val; second by Scott; outcome recorded as carried (transcript records "Motion carries").

- Motion to adopt timing language ("during usual business hours until 10 p.m. or when the business closes, whichever is later"): motion by Val; second by Scott; recorded vote in the transcript: 3 yes, 0 no, 1 abstention; motion carries.

- Motion to insert the adopted timing provision into the code as 38.10.0.8.1 point c: motion by Scott; second by Val; motion carries.

- Motion to remove the phrase forbidding graphic displays (to allow static graphics while retaining animation limits): motion moved and seconded; recorded in the transcript as carried (numeric roll call unclear in the record).

What the committee left open

Committee members repeatedly asked for clarity on measurement units and conversion (nits, lumens, candelas) and requested a demonstration of actual equipment so members and the public could see how signs dim from high daytime levels to the 100‑nit nighttime cap. The committee scheduled a site visit and demonstration at the local builder supply business for 5:00 p.m. on Nov. 19 to observe daytime and nighttime brightness and dimming behavior, and they planned to reconvene the meeting afterward.

Representative quotes (from meeting record)

- Linda (Ordinance Committee member): "I have yet to get a clear understanding of what that actually means from dark sky. Other references I've seen in dark sky language talk about having a dark background with light lettering and really not white."

- Jeff Sapolsky (commenter): "This isn't just the theater." (raising examples such as schools and other community entities that could be affected by strict shut‑off rules).

- Committee readback of proposed requirement: "Sign illumination must be extinguished completely during the hours the business is closed." (language discussed by the committee and then amended to reflect business hours and the agreed cut‑off).

Next steps

The committee will use the Nov. 19 demonstration to review real‑world luminance levels and dimming behavior before finalizing language. Members also discussed that if voters reject a ballot question permitting internally illuminated signs, exceptions would not exist until the ordinance is revisited; any future relief for specific entities would likely require a variance process under current town code.

Limitation and sourcing

This article summarizes motions, votes and discussion verbatim from the Oct. 29 Ordinance Committee meeting transcript. Vote counts and speaker attributions follow the meeting record; where the transcript did not provide a numeric roll call or named voters for a particular motion, the article reports the recorded outcome without inventing unrecorded details.