To the editor:

There are new street lights on the far end of Moody Pond, one at the Baker Mountain trailhead. Thankfully, they are not yet in use, but I am wondering why they were put there. Has there been a safety concern?

I walk around Moody Pond regularly after dark. Rarely do I run into another person. Rarely do I see anyone climbing Baker after dark. I am prepared for the dark portions around the pond with reflective clothing and a light if I ever need one (I never do). I would imagine anyone climbing Baker at night would probably be prepared to encounter darkness as well.

Furthermore, and perhaps more importantly, that end of Moody is habitat/breeding area for an array of amphibians. Has anyone looked into what the artificial light will do to them? What about their food source? Street lights attract and confuse insects. This is one of the only spots I have witnessed the bioluminescence of firefly larva. How do the neighbors feel about light in their windows and the lack of stars? Many communities are striving to bring back dark skies.

I hope that any added lighting to our Adirondack skies would be deemed very necessary and well thought out.

Leslie Dame

Saranac Lake