FAQ | Becket Dark Skies

FAQ

WHY DO WE NEED A DARK SKY ORDINANCE?

Light pollution, defined as an adverse and/or obtrusive effect of the use of outdoor light at night (particularly in the blue spectrum), negatively affects not only the rural character of our community and other Hilltowns, but also the health and safety of people, wildlife, birds, insects, plants and ecosystems. Research has shown blue light changes our natural circadian rhythms, which can be correlated to cancer and other diseases in humans. It can also negatively impact nocturnal creatures in other ways, for example, by changing their behaviors, which can lead to biodiversity decline. These lights also can cause more glare, reducing our safety, and are more likely to trespass onto neighbor’s property and into the sky. Light pollution is increasing by 10% per year, but by making educated choices, we can have enough light at night for both safety and enjoyment while avoiding unintended consequences.

This Ordinance is necessary to keep up with current science and minimize the human health and environmental impacts of lighting, particularly surrounding new lighting technology such as LEDs, and to help protect our enjoyment of the night sky! For these reasons, the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) has set national standards for outdoor lighting which are used in this proposed Ordinance.

WHAT WILL THE ORDINANCE DO?

The proposed Ordinance provides a set of standards for outdoor lighting that will:

Minimize light pollution to the greatest extent possible, especially blue light, resulting from the use of outdoor lighting.
Protect residents from light trespass, or unwanted blue light, that negatively affects the enjoyment of property, disrupts the natural circadian rhythm of humans, wildlife and agriculture, as well as being a form of energy waste.
Provide adequate light and control glare to ensure the safe navigation of roadway users, the safe performance of outdoor tasks at night and to keep property free from harm.
Minimize skyglow, to preserve the night sky as a natural resource allowing all Becket residents to see the stars and planets against the dark sky.
Preserve the historic and rural character of Becket.
Promote efficient and cost-effective lighting on public and private property in order to conserve energy, thereby reducing carbon emissions and costs to Becket residents.

"Dark skies” doesn’t have to mean "dark ground.”

WHAT IS BLUE LIGHT?

Lights can have varying colors, ranging from soft yellow to blues. This is known as the Correlated Color Temperature (CCT). It is the blue light that is most harmful to humans, wildlife, and our ecosystem and which this Ordinance is aiming to replace. Lighting is rated based on the color by Kelvins (K); this rating can be found on the light bulb packaging or on the light bulb itself. Light approaching in the whiter or blue spectrum is over 3000 Kelvin. This Ordinance would require outdoor lighting be at or under 3000 K which is warmer in light, containing more amber and yellow.

WHY HAVEN’T I HEARD ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF BLUE LIGHT BEFORE?

You may have and may not have realized it. Most mobile devices now have a “night shift” function on them that cuts out blue light from the screen at nighttime to diminish the impact on your sleep cycle. You may also have seen LED bulbs at Lowes or Home Depot that automatically shift the light color depending on the time of day. Finally, if you Google “blue light” the first results that populate are for blue light glasses, which are used to filter harmful blue light from computer screens and other devices like cellphones, etc.

DON’T BRIGHT LIGHTS MAKE US SAFER?

As the following video demonstrates, bright light causes glare; glare makes it hard to see what is behind that light. Thus, more light does not make us safer! In addition, when glare trespasses onto roads, it can make it harder for drivers to see, especially for an aging population.

Instead the use of motion sensors (used with appropriate dark sky friendly lighting) can send a signal that something is amiss. Wildlife, such as bears, can acclimate to lights that are constantly on, but are startled when motion sensor lights are triggered.

WHAT LIGHTS IN TOWN WILL THE ORDINANCE APPLY TO?

The proposed Ordinance would apply to all privately owned outdoor lighting, as well as lighting owned, maintained, or controlled by the Town (unless specifically exempted), including street lights, signs, flags, and holiday lighting.

WHEN WOULD THIS ORDINANCE TAKE EFFECT?

The Ordinance allows three (3) years for existing non-conforming lights to come into compliance unless they are a nuisance or safety hazard. This can often simply be done by shutting off lights, shielding them, or redirecting them downward. Any new lighting installed after the Ordinance is passed must be in compliance with the provisions of this Ordinance. There are other circumstances where compliance would happen sooner:

When lighting has reached the end of its useful life
When a structure is repaired or replaced
When a property changes hands

Any property owner for whom compliance with this Ordinance presents a hardship may apply for a waiver.

IS THIS ORDINANCE GOING TO COST ME OR THE TOWN MONEY?

Not necessarily! Existing non-conforming lights can be shielded or redirected, have bulbs replaced, or be turned off at certain hours to be in compliance. If this can’t be done, Town government, residents, and businesses may need to change or buy lighting fixtures that are dark sky compliant, so that light points downward and not up toward the sky, does not cause dangerous glare, and is not blue. There are many kinds of LED bulbs on the market at correlated color temperatures at or below 3000K. The price of the bulb is not impacted by the correlated color temperature.

HOW WILL THE ORDINANCE BE ENFORCED?

The Ordinance calls for the designation of a Lighting Enforcement Officer, to be appointed by an applicable Town Board or the Building Inspector, at the discretion of the Select Board. It may also be enforced by any applicable Town Board or municipal public Safety Officer. The Lighting Enforcement Officer shall give property owners the opportunity to comply before instituting a fine, not to exceed $25/day for residents and $75/day for businesses.

WHAT RESOURCES CAN HELP ME IDENTIFY DARK-SKY FRIENDLY LIGHTING?

Dark Sky International (DarkSky.org) has five principles of outdoor lighting that everyone should consider:

All light should have a clear purpose
Light should be directed only where needed
Light should be no brighter than necessary
Use light only when it is needed and use controls such as timers or motion detectors
Use warmer colors (avoid shorter wavelengths like blue-violet/ use lights rated at 3000 kelvin or less) where possible.

The IDA also has Dark Sky Approved lighting, as well as information about light pollution, on its website. There is also a BUG rating system (see below) that can help you identify which lights are better for you and the environment.

WHAT IS THE BUG RATING SYSTEM?

The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and the IDA have created a rating system, called BUG, that measures where the light from a fixture is directed. A good BUG rating shows the lighting fixture limits unwanted light or glare. “B” relates to backlight, which refers to light escaping behind the lighting fixture (also called luminaires), using shields to redirect the light; “U” relates to up light, light above the horizontal plane which shines toward the sky; “G” relates to glare, which makes it difficult to see. You want to find a lighting fixture with a LOW BUG rating. BUG ratings aren’t yet on all fixtures, but you can find low BUG fixtures on the IDA website (www.darksky.org). Also ask your local hardware store for low BUG recommendations.

WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS?

There will be informational sessions, telescope nights, and more to keep residents apprised of the benefits of dark skies and the contents of the Ordinance over the coming months. The goal is to have this Ordinance on the spring, 2024 Town Meeting agenda. You can stay informed by visiting our website. You can stay informed by signing up for infrequent emails, here, or keep an eye on the Becket Beat and Becket Community Forum Facebook pages.

HOW DID THIS ORDINANCE COME ABOUT?

Since lighting technology has changed in recent years, and after studying eight Dark Sky Ordinances passed by other Massachusetts towns, a group of Becket residents came together to develop this Ordinance to protect our night skies, create a safer and healthier community, preserve wildlife habitats, and enhance stargazing opportunities. About 50 communities in the state, as well as others in the region and nationally, are realizing the myriad negative impacts of bright and blue lights and are passing ordinances like this to limit these impacts. Some communities are even creating Dark Sky Preserves, recognizing the benefits to all of dark skies, including economic benefits of dark sky tourism.