Resentment has been mounting for months for many of those living along Monkey Wrench Lane. After a lone streetlight was installed on the secluded street near the base of the Mt. Hope Bridge back in October of 2018, residents have banded together to advocate for its removal. They argued their case before the Bristol Town Council last Wednesday, April 17.

Two years after first signing a petition against the installment of a streetlight on their little secluded road, the occupants of Monkey Wrench Lane were initially shocked when the first beams of LED light came shining through their windows and onto their yards six months ago. The light is on the north side of the street, directly opposite the driveway/roadway at 1 Bristol Point Road, home to Patrick and Gail Conley. Against the wishes of neighbors, the Conleys requested the light from the town.

“The light shines in my house like it’s lit up like a football field,” said neighbor David Beausejour.

For longtime resident Sara Pardee, it was particularly jarring considering the neighborhood’s unanimous stance against it. Positioned as addressing a public safety concern, the streetlight’s installment, she argued, has instead caused more problems for residents, making it harder for them to see oncoming traffic around the road’s bend as well as impacting their overall wellbeing.

“There’s a balance that has to be obtained between quality of life and safety,” she said.

Councilors were sympathetic to the residents’ concerns, with Tony Teixera agreeing with Ms. Pardee’s claims of decreased visibility. Yet they also acknowledged that they had to respect the wishes of the residents who requested the streetlight — in addition to the positive recommendations in favor of its installment from both the police and fire departments.

“It puts us in a difficult position,” said Mary Parella.

In an effort to appease both sides, Director of Public Works Kevin McBride said they are currently looking into putting a shield up around the LED light, hoping that by doing so, it would better direct the light flow and prevent it from shining directly into neighboring homes. Should that fail, however, councilors assured petitioners that they would then consider next steps in coming to a full resolution on the issue.

Though now only a summer resident of the neighborhood, Nancy Gragard had hoped the town would eventually come to a decision that helps restore the charm that draws her back home year after year.

“I love nothing more than walking around Monkey Wrench Lane on a dark night and being able to see the stars,” she said, “and with that light, you can’t do that.”