Fix to streetlights expected next month

A fix is coming to bring Sisters' new streetlights into compliance with the City's "dark skies" ordinance.

Under that ordinance, lights are supposed to be shielded to cast their light downward to avoid light pollution that interferes with enjoyment of Sisters Country's signature star-filled sky.

The streetlights were installed by the Oregon Department of Transportation as part of the Cascade Avenue renovation project this year.

"We had a bit of a delay because the ODOT team ... were pursuing solutions that were not solutions," said City Manager Andrew Gorayeb.

One attempt at a fix was to provide glazed lenses for the lights, which dimmed and diffused the bright light, but did not direct it downward as required by ordinance.

"We have come up with a solution that actually works for the dark skies ordinance," Gorayeb said. "They're now making flanges that will be installed on and above the light source, and that will fix the problem."

The fix won't come immediately.

"I don't have a definitive timeline," said Gorayeb. "I would say November."