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Ordinance panel adopts dark‑sky recommendations, sets 50‑foot‑candle cap for sports lighting
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Summary
The Rangeley Ordinance Committee moved April 1 to incorporate Dark‑Sky recommendations into its lighting ordinance but removed a direct citation to the Illuminating Engineering Society manual, instead setting a numeric cap of 50 foot‑candles for class 3/4 sports lighting; the motion passed unanimously and the amended ordinance will go to the town attorney for review.
On April 1 the Rangeley Ordinance Committee voted to amend the town's proposed lighting ordinance to adopt Dark‑Sky recommendations while removing a direct citation to the Illuminating Engineering Society manual and inserting a numeric cap of 50 foot‑candles for high‑school and recreational sports lighting.
Linda Dexter, introduced to the committee as the meeting's presenter on dark‑sky recommendations, described the draft edits and said she had shared the ordinance language with Dark‑Sky reviewers. Committee members discussed two options: retain a reference to Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) standards or replace that citation with explicit limits the public can find without buying a professional manual. A committee member summarized the practical concern: "Looks like the maximum is 50," and members used that figure as a clear, accessible cap.
The committee debated whether an IES citation would jeopardize the town's Dark‑Sky consideration if the town did not adopt every IES prescription. Members agreed the greater risk was making the standard inaccessible to residents. The chair said the board appreciated Dexter's work but reminded members that "this board makes the decisions" about what goes before voters.
Val moved to amend the ordinance language to state for class 3 or class 4 sports lighting "not to exceed 50 foot‑candles" and to remove the line that set levels "as set by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America." Carolyn seconded the motion. The committee voted and the motion passed by unanimous voice vote; the record does not list individual tallies.
After the vote members instructed staff to send the amended lighting ordinance to the town attorney for legal review and possible placement on a June warrant, contingent on timing. The committee also noted it will post explanatory material so residents can understand the standard without purchasing a professional manual.
Next steps: the amended lighting ordinance will be reviewed by town counsel and returned to the committee for final review before being scheduled for a warrant or public vote.
