Design work has yet to begin on a new lighting plan for downtown Amagansett, where large trees line Main Street and sometimes block light, but the East Hampton Town Board appeared happy Tuesday with a preliminary study by L.K. McLean Associates, the project engineers.
Matt Jedlicka of McLean presented the initial study, a first step to determine cost and lighting options. About 50 “historical style” LED light fixtures, each 12 feet tall and about 100 feet apart, would be installed on either side of Main Street between Windmill Lane and Meeting House Lane, spanning about four-tenths of a mile. “We estimate, all in, including design, it will cost $1.3 million dollars,” said Mr. Jedlicka. “We feel the lighting upgrade will greatly improve safety, and using historical-style lights will maintain the historical character of the area.”
“No existing trees are to be removed, damaged, or disturbed at any point in construction,” he told the board.
The current “cobra head” lights that are affixed to metal poles will be removed, he said, while others, attached to utility poles, will remain. The proposed historical-style fixtures will match those in Sag Harbor; the lights will have a “color temperature” of 2,700 Kelvin. They are “globeless,” said Mr. Jedlicka, to avoid light refraction and uplighting.
In an email, Susan Harder, co-founder of the Hamptons Observatory and New York State Representative to the International Dark Sky Association, expressed worry about the fixtures. “There is no indication that these fixtures meet an actual ‘dark sky’ compliance designation, per the Illuminating Engineering Society’s standards for ‘zero uplight,’ “ she wrote. “That’s the only way to determine the outward light distribution. All commercial light fixtures should have a ‘BUG’ (back, up, glare) designation, issued by a third party. Otherwise, it’s not very smart to only have the manufacturer’s word for it. It’s a serious shame that the town is ignorant of the ‘best practices’ for outdoor lighting. Same mistake they made for the LED streetlight conversions: They only heeded the advice of consultants hired by the power authority. That’s like having the fox in charge of designing the henhouse. The town should hire a lighting designer, same as they would hire an architect for interior spaces.”
Others, however, are just happy to see movement on an issue that has long been stalled. “For over seven years, this project was only a vision,” said Rona Klopman, chairwoman of the Amagansett Citizens Advisory Committee, who called in to speak during the public comment portion of the meeting. She applauded Councilman Tom Flight, who is ACAC’s town board liaison, for moving the project forward. “This is going to transform a key part of Amagansett,” she told the board. “We strongly ask for your support in making Main Street safer and more aesthetically fulfilling for the community.”
Dawn Brophy, a co-owner of Bonfire Coffeehouse in the hamlet, strongly supported the project. “My concern is safety,” she said, remembering two deaths she’d witnessed on Main Street and citing poor lighting near the municipal parking lot behind the street.
Councilman David Lys agreed. “I do remember the gentleman struck by a car, maybe a decade ago. When the tree canopy is thick, the cobra-style lights do not hit the streetscape.”
Councilman Flight remarked that the plan balances safety while preserving the trees, which are “hugely important to the character of the downtown area.” However, he pointed out, those same trees make it impossible to use solar lighting fixtures, which would not get enough sun. The cost of the lighting upgrade is also a consideration, he said, as it will be imposed only on the Amagansett Main Street tax district, not townwide.
In a nod to Ms. Brophy, Mr. Flight said he would introduce a resolution at tonight’s town board meeting to study lighting within the parking lot. “That area needs better lighting,” he said.
“When I travel now, I look at trash cans and I look at light posts,” Councilman Lys said, smiling. He had a serious point, though: In hamlets with good street lighting, he said, it’s safer and easier to drive.
He also wondered whether the new poles could incorporate outlets or brackets for hanging plants.
“It still needs to go through a full design process. That’s when you decide the exact fixtures and the accessories you want,” Mr. Jedlicka replied. “It still needs to go out to public bid. There is a decent process ahead.” He estimated two months for design and another two months to collect bids and select vendors. Rather than try to cram the work in before summer — “We definitely don’t want to be working in the middle of the summer in Amagansett” he said — starting next fall, perhaps on Oct. 1, would be the best plan.
Mr. Lys said the town should also consider installing a lighted crosswalk at the entrance to the parking lot and redesigning the stanchions on the lighted crosswalk at the school, so they match the new light poles.
“I see you’re going at 2,700 kelvin,” said Councilwoman Cate Rogers. “I think that is significant and important. We have replaced all the streetlights in town with an LED set at 2,700.” She said consistent lighting throughout the town would help drivers, and asked if the project needed approval by the Architectural Review Board. It does.
“Amagansett is thumping now,” said Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez, who supported the lighting project, noting that she’s often had to use her cellphone’s flashlight feature when navigating Amagansett’s sidewalks after dark.
