Shelter Island working toward modified 'dark skies' vote

The Shelter Island town board will likely vote on a modified version of a “dark skies” law when it meets later this month.

The board held a lengthy public hearing last month on a proposal to restrict outdoor lighting, with outdoor fixtures shielded so that any light is focused toward the ground and does not cross over a neighbor’s property line.

Nearly three dozen people spoke at the June 28 hearing, and opinion was divided between those who support the law and those who said it is too restrictive, too costly to implement and that it is inappropriate for the town to adopt such a restriction.

The town board has discussed the comments at one work session, and it will come up again at a work session Tuesday.

Supervisor Jim Dougherty said it appears the code can be modified to deal with most of the objections and that the board will be able to vote on the measure at its next meeting, scheduled for July 19 at 4:30 p.m. in Town Hall.