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Orange committee declines resident request to turn off access-road lights, cites safety and liability
Summary
After a resident complained that an access‑road light shines into her bedroom, the Orange Elementary School Committee declined to turn off the lights, citing safety concerns from local chiefs and liability cautions from district counsel and the district insurer; staff were directed to program one light off if feasible.
The Orange Elementary School Committee on July 22 discussed a resident complaint about a bright access‑road light and decided not to remove nighttime lighting after safety and liability warnings from staff and counsel.
Mallory Ellis relayed that resident Sherry Mcintish reported a light shining into her bedroom and said she had been told the lights would not be left on at night. Dr. Liz told the committee she consulted the fire chief and police chief, who said turning lights off could create a safety risk. District counsel Adam Dupere and the district's insurance carrier warned the committee about liability and relevant case law if lights were not used; Adam said the district "could be liable if the lights were not on."
Committee members also heard that vehicles sometimes use the access road the wrong way between about 5:30 and 6:30 a.m.; Dr. Liz said staff (custodians or cafeteria workers) travel the road at that hour and she will address routing with staff. Josefa Scherer suggested turning off the single fixture that shines into the complainant's window; Michele Tontodonato said she will talk to Ian (facilities/maintenance staff) about programming that single light to be turned off.
The committee did not take a formal vote to turn off lights; instead it recorded the safety and liability concerns and directed staff to explore targeted programming of the one fixture and to follow up on staff routing. No deadlines or formal implementation dates were specified.
