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• Governor signs bills at UW-RF
• New law may shed light on houses, businesses and roads of River Falls

Gov. Tommy Thompson signed a bill into law last Thursday at UW-River Falls that relaxes remodeling restrictions for houses on the banks of the St. Croix River.

"The St. Croix is one of the jewels of northwestern Wisconsin and it must be protected," Thompson said. "This legislation allows homeowners the flexibility of fixing up their homes while protecting the wild, scenic and recreational aspects of the riverway."

The governor joined homeowners and lawmakers who fought for the new legislation, in a classroom at the newly dedicated UW-RF Walker Wyman Education Building to sign the bill.

To the residents who have been battling the state DNR for years over restrictions on remodeling their homes Thompson said, "You guys have been waiting a long time." Thompson signed another bill that allows senior citizens to audit classes free of charge in the UW system.

He then gave a commendation to retiring Chancellor Gary Thibodeau for his years of service to UW-RF. Thompson also toured the $6.5 million education building while at the campus.

By Jenny Murphy

Local residents could someday regain a clear view of the starry night sky. If an Outdoor Lighting law is passed by the Planning Commission, a more visible night sky is just one advantage people may notice.

The commission met Tuesday night and heard a presentation by Tine Thevenin, who has written several research projects and authored various books on outdoor lighting.

"The reason the Outdoor Lighting Ordinance came up is because two years ago I realized that for many of the years I've lived in River Falls, I've had difficulty seeing the Northern Lights," said City Council President Sharon Graham. "Then I began not being able to see the Milky Way."

Graham said the reasons she didn't have a clear vision of the night sky was the result of bright lights illuminated by several River Falls businesses. She then learned that in addition to bright lights masking the night sky, effects of some street lights and lights displayed by businesses and residences may be health hazardous, as well as costly to taxpayers.

The Planning Commission has been discussing a law that would regulate outdoor lighting. The purpose is to reduce light pollution and sky glow, reduce glare, reduce light trespass into home and business windows, conserve energy, promote a sense of safety and security and ensure aesthetic lighting in River Falls.

Thevenin, of the International Dark Sky Association, said that outdoor lighting should shine directly on a subject and not glare into peoples' eyes. Glare is the brightness of a light source that causes eye discomfort and may impair visibility or result in temporary blindness, creating a hazard for motorists or pedestrians.

Light that shines in all directions from a "luminaire" causes glare and wasted light, Thevenin said.

"It is estimated that 33% is wasted light," she said about night lighting in cities such as River Falls. "That is wasted money, wasted tax dollars and wasted energy."

By installing light fixtures that have a cap over the bulb, light shines where it is needed. Along Main Street there are "shoebox" style light fixtures, which cap the bulb.

Another way to reduce wasted light is by using lower-wattage bulbs. By using lower wattage bulbs, some cities have had considerable yearly decreases in costs, which saves taxpayers money, Thevenin said.

"This action is nationwide," she said. Suggestions she gave for immediate lighting improvements include turning off all unnecessary lights, lower the wattage of bulbs used, and installing light fixtures that have a cap.

"This all has a win, win, win solution to better lighting," Thevenin said. "I congratulate you with your progressive thinking. I will use River Falls as an example."

The outdoor lighting law will be discussed again at future planning commission meetings to iron out any details. Questions that have arisen include whether or not to grandfather in any preexisting light fixtures and how to regulate residential lighting.

The City Council has the final say on any action taken by the Plan Commission.