Wyckoff OKs green lighting policy

Wyckoff The Township Committee adopted an outdoor green lighting policy on the heels of adopting a new green purchasing policy in its quest for silver status under Sustainable Jersey.

At the Aug. 20 meeting, the committee unanimously approved the policy to "reduce light pollution by raising awareness of the nuisance of misdirected or excessive light caused by misaligned or inappropriate light fixtures."

The policy includes municipal facilities and buildings, as well as private and commercial lighting. Maintaining consistency with township code, the policy states that the township engineer, code official and zoning enforcement officer will be charged with requiring energy efficiency and downward-directed lighting.

Security and safety are not to be sacrificed, though, according to the policy. It includes, as well, a provision for illuminating flags or statues with a "narrow cone beam of light" equipped with timers.

Jim Savage, a resident and member of the Environmental Commission Green Team, said that while he appreciated the time and effort expended to produce the policy, he said it needed "further refinements."

"Light pollution is mentioned many times, but an exact definition of what it means is lacking," Savage told the committee.

"There is no mention of glare, and sky glow and light trespass are only mentioned once," he said. "These three terms describe what light pollution entails. We also need to stipulate what metric is acceptable or unacceptable for each of these."

Savage, who said he is certified by the National Council on Qualifications for Lighting Professionals, said that while the policy "meets the spirit of the requirements of Sustainable Jersey," it should include more quantitative terms.

The township needs to have the lighting policy in place for its application for silver status, which is due in September. It adopted a green purchasing policy two weeks prior.

Sustainable Jersey is a certification program for municipalities in New Jersey that want to go green, save money and take steps to sustain quality of life over the long term, according to the programs website. Launched in 2009, it is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that provides tools, training and financial incentives to support and reward communities as they pursue sustainability programs.

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Wyckoff OKs green lighting policy