Sample  letter to Mayor of a municipality

Dear Mayor (Name):

     I would like to bring to your attention an important environmental matter that needs to be addressed.  The problem is light pollution.  In 1996, the New Jersey Light Pollution Study Commission basically defined light pollution as: Misdirected or excessive outdoor lighting that causes glare, light trespass (nuisance light) energy waste and unnecessary sky glow.

     Eatontown was the first municipality in New Jersey to effectively control light pollution.  It has been doing so since 1993, when the  Borough Council unanimously adopted an ordinance to regulate outdoor lighting.  This has been met with the approval of both the public and businesses.

     Please read the attached article published in the January 2008 issue of NEW JERSEY MUNICIPALITIES magazine, titled: “Controlling Light Pollution”.  The Outdoor Lighting Ordinance Guide referred to in this article is available from the League of N J Municipalities.  The “Guide” contains a model ordinance  based on the Eatontown ordinance that is fairly simple and easy to administer.  You can verify this by contacting the Mayor of Eatontown or other local officials.

     It’s time for (Municipality) to avoid this unnecessary environmental pollution, to make our streets and parking lots safer by reducing wasteful glare to improve nighttime visibility and the abuses of unnecessary light spillage.

     (Optional) Attached is a list of some examples of light pollution here in our own municipality.

Very truly yours,

Name of Municipal Resident

Copy to: Chairman of municipal planning board