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2026 Annual Town Meeting, Town of Arlington, MA
Article: 8
Warrant Article Title:
BYLAW AMENDMENT / REGULATION OF OUTDOOR
LIGHTING
Warrant Article Text:
To see if the Town will vote to amend Title V, Article 14 of the
Town Bylaws ("Regulation of Outdoor Lighting") to update the
standards for outdoor lighting to comport with the 2024 Dark
Skies International model bylaw; or take any action related thereto
Requested By:
the Department of Planning and Community Development
Report Excerpt:
Vote and comment to Town Meeting - No Action (5-0)
At its initial hearing on this article, the Board heard from the
Town’s Environmental Planner about the long-term advantages of
making this update. After the hearing, the Board received
additional information from the Town Manager indicating that
implementation of the proposed bylaw amendment could result in
significant expenses, including the need to purchase and annually
calibrate new equipment, seek specialized employee training, as
well as personnel costs. Since there is already an outdoor
lighting policy in the town’s bylaws, the Board believes it would be
better to hold off any updates until all of the cost-related
implications of the proposed changes can be vetted by impacted
parties, especially the town’s Inspectional Services Department.
Accordingly, the Board voted unanimously that no action be taken
on this article.
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[The Finance Committee] recommends no action be taken under
this article. This Article, which will amend the Town’s existing
Outdoor Lighting Bylaw to comply with new, more exacting
nighttime lighting standards, will require a more complicated
inspection and review process than is currently being
implemented. It is estimated that to meet these new voluntary
standards, the Town will have to incur approximately $45,000
each year in additional personnel and equipment costs. The
Finance Committee does not believe that this is a prudent use of
funds at this time, and reminds Town Meeting that the Town and
School Department, as well as all of our Town committees and
commissions, have agreed to reduce their expenses this year to
balance our FY2027 budget. When these sacrifices are being
made, we should not, at the same time, assume any additional
and unnecessary financial obligations.
Vote Language:
That no action be taken on Article 8.
Select Board Report
