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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/18/1942 ,.. ~'~Y^"'"""~'j$ swc:c-8 SUFFOLK COUNTY WAR COUNCn, Office of C~vilian Protection Riverhead, New York November 18 1942 To : Deputy County Directors Clarification of Control of Artificial Lighting Regulations issued by Major General T. A. Terry, dated November 14, 1942. These regulations supersede all dim-out regulations issued prior to November 14, 1942. Subject : In connection with the application and enforcement of these regulations, the following interpretation of certain sections of these regulations shall be as follows: . Section 1, #1 - In order that merchants may all operate on a uni- fo~m ba.is and rather than have a change of two or three minutes in sundown time each day, the fol- lowing schedule shall be adopted: from November 15th to December 15th dim-out regulations will go into effect from 6 P.M. EWT to sunrise; from December 16th to January 1st from 6:15 P.M. EWT to sunrise. Shortly before January 1st another table will be issued giving dim-out .~~orcement time for periods of two weeks. #2 - In the application of these regulations the area in Suffolk County deemed to be "visible frolll sea" shall mean that area from Rocky Point in the Town of Southold, East and aro~~d the South Shore of Suffolk County to Carmans River in Brookhaven Town. That part of Suffolk County lying West of Carmans River and North of Bellport Bay and Great South Bay, will not be considered an area where lights would be visible from the sea. However, there are exceptions lying in this area; those exceptions will be those areas whose elevatiop wo~d over-look Fire Island Beach. All of Fire Island Beach and Gilgo Beach are in the "visible from seall area. All of the North Shore area of Suffb.l~ County West of Rocky Point in the Town of SouthoId will not be considered areas "visible from the sea". Section 2, #5 - This paragraph would pertain to night lights left on in commercial establislunents. Section 3, #6 - Prior to the issuar-ce of these regulations dwellings and business establishments whose windows were visible from the sea pulled the shades down full length. These regulations go a little further. All such openings in the buildings mentioned must now bave a dark shade such as blaCk, blue or green Or ~me other blackout material, to effectively ob.cure all lights which would be visible from the sea. All lights which cast a reflection upon the water shall be treated to eliminate such reflection or be extinguished. #7 - Even though vehicular headlights are screened to comply with Section 4, paragraph 9, they must drive with parking lights or less in the area outlined as IIvisible from the sea". However, in the case of fire apparatus, members Of a police department o~ those engaged in the practice of medecine, when respo~ding to an emergency call, may proceed in - SWC:C-8 page 2 11/18/42 Section 4, #9 - those areas vlAible from the sea with normal head- lights. Normal headlights shall be construed to mean headlights with at least the upper half shielded with an opaque material. Suffolk County banned the use of high-beam vehicular headlights last June 16th. In order that all of the coastal dim-out area may operate on a uniform basis, all headlights must have at least the upper half of the headlights obscured by an opaque material. This regulation is less drastic than Suffolk County's original order on automobile head- light screening. However, in the opinion of the engineers of the U. S. Army, screening of half of ~he headlights is considered sufficient and inasmuch as it is a direct Army order, this county will be guidec accordingly. #10 - This paragra~h is a little more drastic than those iesueG ~~ior to this, It will mean that exterior lights as stated in this par~gr3ph will have to be shiel.ded to a point at least 45 degrees below the hcrizontal rather then the old regulation of just be 10'" the ho::-izontal, #12 - Section 5, #16 - Lights co,,-ered in th:.s p:uag:'sph must be effectively shielded by either the sh&des pulled full length or the source of light screened in such manner that it would not be directly visible from any point outside the building. A great deal of addition&l work will have to be done, particularly in re5arJ to gasoline filling sta.~ions. This paragra1)]:, is self-explanatory. #18 - The subject matter in this paragraph was taken care of in Bl1l1eCin SWC1A-12Qo I would strongly suggest that in each Office of Civilian Protection some man be appointed who would take care of the lighting situation for his area. This plan has bGen followed out in two sections of the county and has worked to the satisfantion of all concerned. Definite instructions 8S to whether or not outdoor illuminated Christmas tre.es wi Ii be permittnQ or not will be forthcoming very shortly. I can appreciate that these che.nges in our lighting restrict- ions causes quite 30me confusion a:ld anuoyance. However, the U. S. Army is responsible for the issuance of the regulations and we, in turn, are responsible for the enforcement. If, at any time, you need help, please do not hesitate to call this office and we will have Army engineers out from Governors Island to aid you. /af FLOYD D. HOUSTON Director Civilian Protection