Ten Sleep lighting issue illuminates council meeting

TEN SLEEP - The Ten Sleep Town Council held their regular monthly meeting Tuesday evening at Town Hall, drawing an audience of concerned residents regarding newly-installed security lighting on the reconstructed fire hall, originally destroyed by a propane fire in January of last year.

The 60-watt LED lights automatically turn on at dusk and turn off at dawn, effectively lighting up the surrounding area, including properties in the vicinity. The council contends that proper lighting is important for citizens retrieving water after sunset and to provide security for the new facility. Neighboring residents would like to see a change, or at least an alternative to what has become the brightest building in town, creating light pollution and contributing to uneasiness and in some cases, a lack of sleep.

"Those things are so bright I can't see the stars at night, anymore," remarked Kevin Couch, who lives directly behind the fire hall. "Maybe you could put up surveillance cameras instead, or figure out a way to block the light," Couch suggested to the council.

Councilman Don Decker replied that residents bothered by the light should invest in drapes or blinds, further asking Couch, "...are you going to pay for them [security cameras]?" In reply, Couch asked, "Are you going to buy me drapes?"

Fire and Town Hall neighbor Tracie Mitchell noted that the lights are so bright that she can read a book in her house, and expressed that the lights are causing her to lose sleep, to which Decker replied, "Your dog barks too much. During the last council meeting your dog yapped the whole time."

Noticeably flustered by the remark, Mitchell responded that her dog was outfitted with a bark collar, and had little relevance on the issue of lighting. Councilman Ernie Beckley replied, "In all fairness, we've had a lot of complaints about your dog."

At one point during the meeting, Councilman Michael Dante stated that the council's job is to consider citizen grievances and try to fix problems. Dante suggested attaching inexpensive sheet-metal hoods to the lights to direct the light downward, while still providing security and adequate light for water customers. Councilman Decker responded that the building was very expensive, and he was against screwing things into the side of the structure or spending any town funds on last-minute improvements.

Ten Sleep resident Leon Roden suggested replacing the white-light bulbs with red bulbs, effectively decreasing the light pollution while still providing a safe light. The Navy veteran remarked that red light was standard practice on ships at sea during night operations.

After a lengthy discussion of alternatives, Councilman Decker said he took full blame for the lighting problem, as it had been his decision to add them to the building. Decker said he would look into shields, lower wattage bulbs, and other fixes as soon as possible to alleviate the issue.