HomeMy WebLinkAboutLexington Lighting Options Committee 1990-02-14 LEXINGTON LIGHTING OPTIONS COMMITTEE )
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Next meeting Mon. March 12, 7 30 Rm 111
Minutes of Feb 14 meetina. In attendance. John Davies, Pete Kovner, Myla Kabat-Zinn,
Don Olson, Bob Ossman
Discussion of meeting Pete and Myla had with Planning Board on 1989 At meeting,
Planning Board suggested we meet with the Zoning Officer to discuss increased en-
forcement of lighting by-laws, clarification of scope & intent of those laws, and use
of orders of conditions for those applying for special permits
Several LOC members felt we should meet as soon as possible with Joe Marino to
discuss above issues plus public education Pete, Myla & John will attend.
Question came up as to whether town itself is exempt from Zoning By-laws regard-
ing lighting. John Davies thought it was not exempt, but it was agreed we would check
with the town counsel or Zoning Officer
Planning Board won't have time consider changing the table of contents in the Zon-
ing By-laws to include references to Lighting till May or June It was suggested we
write a letter detailing how the table of contents might be changed
At this point, the LOC felt that its focus is four fold
1) Increasing enforcement of existing by-laws
2) Public education
a. Adding Lighting to the table of contents of by-laws.
b. Creating an lighting guidline & info sheet for those applying for special
permits
3) Making recommendations for improving Center lighting, particularly at the
crosswalks
4) Begin to gather information that will help us develop town wide lighting
recommendations- both for type of lighting & the financial aspects (Cost-
benefits of buying out our system etc.)
Crosswalks Discussion:
Don Olson brought up the need to widen stripes of white on crosswalks, change the
stripes to be on a diaganol to oncoming traffic and repaint them more frequently so
that car lights have something to illuminate
Need to get a day vs night traffic accident rate in Center (continued on next page)
Suggested that we do mock-ups of different alternatives for crosswalk lighting,
possibly get lighting companies to do this (Omni Lighting in Burlington contacted )
Mentioned that lowering voltage going to light greatly enhances bulb life
Regarding installation of new light at Minuteman crosswalk--It was felt that a flat
lens on The cobra head with a lateral light spread towards the island would be effec-
tive with less glare
Bob Ossman wants to find shields for existing Center cobrahead lights to cut down
some of glare.
(end cross walk discussion)
Color rendition is improving for both sodium vapor -less orange and mercury vapor -
less blue. Standard bulbs purchased by Boston Edison can vary greatly in color
rendering quality
Committee felt it would be useful for Peter to complete his inventory of surrounding
towns -lighting they use & financial arrangements (Do they own there own lights
etc.)
Discussed need for public education regarding security lighting.
TASKS
1) Set up meeting with Joe Marino- Myla
2) Explore options for crosswalk lighting- Don Olson & Bob Ossman.
3) Letter to Planning Board suggesting changes to Table of contents.- Peter
4) Inventory of surrounding towns- Peter
5) Traffic accident rate, day vs night.- Myla
6) Lights used at 1 Canal St. development in Cambridge- John
submitted by Myla Kabat-Zinn & Pete Kovner 3/3/90