DiMeglio Septic , Inc .
COMMISSION , from Page 1 were more-efficient LED bulbs .
Before the bond ordinance receives a second reading at the next town council meeting on Monday , March 20 , Bachalis called for a letter to be sent to mayor and council , asking them to postpone the decision in order to give the public more of an opportunity to discuss the potential environmental and health issues associated with the LED lights . As a fallback ,
Bachalis said the letter will request that the town only install LED lights that emit light at a color temperature ( blue ) below 3,000 K .
Bachalis ’ recommendation was made in conjunction with a report he cited from the International Dark-Sky Association , a nonprofit that works to help reduce light pollution .
The report , which also cited 2016 research from the American Medical Association stated , “ white
DiMeglio Septic , Inc .
Est . 1975 ~ DEP 03261 ~ Paul DiMeglio 1 ( 800 ) 427-4617 ~ 561-1007 ~ 561-3597
491 S . White Horse Pike • Ancora , NJ
• Grease Trap Cleaning • Portable Toilets
• Septic Certifications • Jetting Service
LED street lighting patterns [ 3,000-plus K ] may contribute to the risk of chronic disease in the populations of cities in which they have been installed .”
Bachalis cited information from an extended version of the report that said the “ blue-rich ,” white LED street lighting poses risks to humans “ in terms of compromising human vision , especially in the aging eye and potential road safety problems for motorists and pedestrians and in natural settings ” and can also adversely affect the behavior and reproductive abilities of wildlife at night .
Bachalis acknowledged the significant cost savings ($ 19,525 per month ; $ 234,300 annually ) associated with the LED lights but said the town needs to observe whether the project will be safe for the environment and the residents of Hammonton before proceeding .
“ It ’ s a question of dollars and cents , and dollars and cents is a great metric when you ’ re running a very tight budget , but I think this issue kind of points up the need to look at some of the larger issues involved , the environmental health issues ,” Bachalis said . Commission vice-chair Brooke Sacco said the residents deserve more of an opportunity to receive information and voice their concerns on the project due to the fact it will change and affect the whole town .
Wednesday , March 15 , 2017 • The Hammonton Gazette • Page 3
Env . Comm voices concerns about possible health issues with LED lights
“ I just think that the public should be more informed about something that ’ s going to affect every single one of us if it ’ s a health concern . We ’ re going to walk around and try to go to sleep at night … and if this is all going to affect us then it should be [ reviewed ],” Sacco said .
The motion to send the letter to mayor and council was made by Bachalis , seconded by commission member Terri Caruso-Cafiso and approved unanimously . In other business , the commission discussed the following tree removal applications :
1 . Maria and Henry Burkett , 514 W . Pleasant St .: Application for the removal of four trees . A motion was made to remove just the 21- inch diameter tree in the application . Two of the remaining three trees were denied because the commission deemed them to not be affecting any of the surrounding property . The fourth tree was not eligible for a permit because it was too small ( nine inches in diameter ) and therefore can be removed at the property owner ’ s discretion , according to Caruso-Cafiso . The motion was made by Caruso- Cafiso , seconded by Sacco and approved unanimously .
2 . Nicholas Kennish , 716 Eighth St .: Application to remove seven trees .
3 . Maryann Iuliucci , 443 French St .: Application for removal of one
One Sindoni Lane , Suite C , Hammonton ( 609 ) 270-7886 • www . meadowsbridalshop . com tree .
Because applications No . 2 and 3 were submitted less than a week before the meeting , the commission chose not to review them and did not require a motion to do so because of the timing of their submission . 4 . Town of Hammonton , 200 Packard St .: Application for removal of one tree . The application was approved by Bachalis before the meeting because the tree , an old Silver Maple , was “ extremely dead ” and was interfering with power lines , which is why the application was made by the town itself .
In other news , the following items were reported for the commission ’ s respective committee reports :
• Council Report ( Giralo ): Mayor and council will for advertise for the position of Environmental Commission secretary during its March 20 meeting , per Bachalis ’ request . Giralo also thanked all commission members who took part in the 2017 Hammonton Lake Park Cleanup on February 25 .
• Hammonton Zoning Board of Adjustments ( Commission member Marty Matro ): The board discussed a change of use request that would allow for a section of the Kessler Medical Arts Complex to be used for a rehab and treatment
See TREES , Page 10
Looking for the perfect gown ?
Stop in our shop to see what ’ s new !
We carry gorgeous dresses by : David Tutera , Casablanca , Mori Lee , and so much more !
New styles now in stock .
Now thru March 31st .
CUSTOM ENGAGEMENT RINGS & WEDDING BANDS REPAIRS COMPLETED ON PREMISES