Some of the conclusions in a recent Journal Tribune editorial concerning lighting in Kennebunkport deserve further discussion. The impression left with readers is that there are no street lights throughout the village area but in fact, there are many and they've been sufficient for years.
The area proposed for more lighting is entirely outside the business zone and
consists of nearly all of the National Register Historic District of homes in
the Village Residential Zone, next to Dock Square. Some of the lights are more than a half mile from the downtown.
While employees and customers of downtown businesses park along town streets and in a parking lot outside the business district, they, as well as residents, have been walking these streets without the proposed lighting for decades, without any apparent consequences. The justification for spending more than $160,000 to purchase these lights - not to mention the cost of installation - just isn't there.
This is an idea that might be nice when times are flush or if business interests are willing to pay, but they haven't offered. Times are tough and taxpayers are tired of funding needs for tourists and businesses.
When many Kennebunkport village residents look toward the north, to Biddeford, we see an unnatural glow in the sky. When we look to Dock Square from the Historic Zone, there's a similar glow. The village residential zone outside Dock Square isn't the Maine Mall, Biddeford Crossing or downtown Biddeford. Many of us who live here enjoy the distinction and would like to maintain our residential quality of life, including the ability to look up and see the stars at night.
My advice to businesses concerned about their customers and employees walking at night: pool your resources and provide a shuttle service to outlying parking areas.
My advice to taxpayers: hold onto your wallets! Pretty soon, we won't be able to afford to live here. Those who can afford to pay increasing taxes may be able to read inside their homes at night without turning on interior lights.
