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West Windsor proclaims International Dark Sky Week, with one abstention
Summary
The Selectboard declared April 13–20, 2026 International Dark Sky Week to encourage limiting unnecessary outdoor lighting; the motion passed 2–0 with one abstention after a discussion balancing dark-sky goals and safety lighting.
Susan Yost of the West Windsor Sustainability Committee asked the Selectboard to proclaim the week of April 13–20, 2026 as International Dark Sky Week, repeating an action the town took in April 2025. Yost said the proclamation aims to limit unnecessary outdoor lighting while not discouraging safety‑oriented motion‑sensor lighting.
Board members discussed the trade-offs between preserving night skies and public-safety concerns; Mark Harley read a portion of an article about Palo Alto’s Dark Sky ordinance noting possible safety issues if lighting is removed. Mark Higgins read the proclamation in full. The motion to declare the week passed 2–0 with one abstention.
Selectboard members emphasized that the proclamation encourages voluntary local action rather than creating new enforceable restrictions; any ordinance change would require a separate, formal process.
