The city of Newburyport is looking at shutting off 30% of the streetlights. This effort will reduce the city's carbon footprint by more than 200,000 kW-hrs/yr, while saving $65,000 annually. The lights targeted for shutting off are in quieter areas, not central downtown.
From a safety point of view, in relatively quiet areas, street lights increase danger for pedestrians, and turning them off makes those areas safer. Pedestrians under a streetlight are indeed safer, but immediately face much higher risks once they step outside the pool of light: they become almost invisible to drivers. From a crime prevention point of view, streetlights tend to be neutral in low crime areas such as Newburyport.
This is an opportunity to let the city know your thoughts about responsibly reducing street lights. Public comments are now being solicited, so please contact your city councilors. Many residents have expressed that there is a light outside their home that is more annoying than useful and they would appreciate having it shut off. Let councilors know any lights you would like turned off (street lights are identified by the street and a metal number nailed on the pole, usually 1 or 2 digits) so they may be evaluated.
Councilor contact information:
The councilors on two subcommittees looking at this are particularly important to contact:
| Neighborhood & City Services |
Public Safety |
| Allison Heartquist |
Robert J. Cronin |
| Edward C. Cameron |
Thomas E. Jones |
| Ari Herzog, Chairperson |
Brian P. Derrivan, Chairperson |
Thank you for speaking out on this important issue.
-Mike Strauss
Mike Strauss is the chairperson of Newburyport's Energy Advisory Committee (EAC).
