GLOCESTER -- The Town Council agreed last night to move a lighting ordinance forward and extend an olive branch to the School Department, though no official votes were taken.
The lighting ordinance, which could be approved as soon as next month, would regulate outdoor lighting on private property to reduce light pollution. It would prohibit residents from having floodlights, spotlights or other reflector-type lights that are directed or reflected toward another property.
"I think it's a step in the right direction," said council Vice President Kevin P. Walsh.
The ordinance would require shading or shielding to prevent the light or its glare from annoying or hindering the privacy of a neighbor. It would also require motion sensors to keep lights on for the least amount of time possible.
The ordinance would apply to new lighting fixtures as well as existing ones that are considered a nuisance or potentially hazardous.
Violating the ordinance would be punishable with a fine of $25 for the first offense and $50 for the second, plus $10 for every day thereafter that the problem is not fixed.
The council will hold a public hearing on the ordinance on Oct. 16, and could vote on it that night.
Also last night, the council agreed to offer the expertise of the town's business office to the School Department, whose assistant business manager recently resigned.
Gwendolyn Graham will leave at the end of next week, said Councilman Steven A. Sette. Graham is the only person in the School Department's business office with a financial background, Sette said.
"What I'd like to suggest is the town offer its help so if they need someone, the financial office can help," Sette said. Sette said his proposal was meant to aid the School Department, not interfere with school business.
Walsh said the town could not take over the business operations of the schools, but it could offer an olive branch, as it did last night.
Council President Charles Poirier said last night marked the second time the town had offered to help the School Department in three years.
Sette's suggestion was not on the council's agenda so the council could not officially act on it, but it did agree to let Poirier write a letter authorizing the town finance director, Thomas P. Mainville, to pitch in if the School Department asked him to.
The business office runs the financial operations for the Glocester and Foster-Glocester schools. Graham has been assistant business manager since November 2001.
