Nantucket panel endorses hurricane‑lamp insert for Main Street pilot, asks DPW for outreach and lumen limits

The Nantucket Historical Commission voted to endorse a modified version of the town’s dark‑sky streetlight pilot, recommending the addition of a decorative “hurricane lamp” insert and — for the central commercial block only — permitting a globe if fixture output is limited to 1,000 lumens or less.

The commission met Dec. 19 and heard a presentation from Gail Wasser of Nantucket Lights and technical representatives from Spring City and the International Dark‑Sky community. Wasser reviewed the town’s 2023 outdoor lighting bylaw (Nantucket code chapter 102) and said the pilot on Lower Main Street now includes an internal hurricane‑lamp element that preserves a historic appearance without increasing uplight.

Spring City’s representative told the commission the hurricane lamp, as incorporated, appears to capture uplight rather than increasing it. Panelists and staff described…