[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Madison 2-24-1997.
Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Madison Board of Selectmen finds the following facts relating to
streetlighting:
A.Â
Inadequately illuminated streets engender a sense of
fear from the citizenry, especially the elderly and defenseless members of
the community.
B.Â
Adequate illumination of streets provides for increased
visibility to motorists, greater sense of security for pedestrians and is
conducive to the general safety and welfare of the public.
C.Â
Streetlighting is a continuing financial burden upon
the taxpayers of the community and, therefore, should be installed only where
need can be substantiated.
D.Â
Differences exist as to the need for lighting in various
areas within the Community and as to the type and size of fixtures to meet
these needs.
E.Â
Streetlighting is not viewed by all members of the community
as being an essential governmental service. Some consider lighting annoying
and an infringement upon the reasonable use and control of real and personal
property.
Therefore, the Madison Board of Selectmen hereby adopts the following
policy to provide guidance to the Board in the following instances.
Requests for new streetlights will not normally be approved unless the
installation is to occur at the intersection of two or more public roads.
Additionally, a minimum of 3/4 of the affected property owners must be in
favor of the installation. This guideline may be waived at the discretion
of the Board when it is determined to be in the best interests of the Town.
Any affected property owner may request the removal of an existing fixture;
however, all affected residents in the illumination must be polled for concurrence.
Upon acquiescence of a simple majority of affected residents, the Board will
order removal of the streetlight.
The aggregate of the guidelines governing new installation and removal
shall apply.
Type and sizing of streetlighting shall be determined by the Madison
Police Chief, Madison Town Manager and the applicable utility representative.
As a Town asset, the costs of installation, removal, maintenance and
operation of a streetlight will normally be borne by the public. In unusual
circumstances, the Board may pass these costs on to the individual(s) making
the request on a case-by-case basis.
