Municipal lighting committee to review atmospheric requirements for optimal paranormal encounters following citizen feedback.
MAPLEWOOD, WV — The Maplewood Town Council will convene Thursday evening to address resident concerns that recent encounters with an unidentified entity have been compromised by inadequate lighting conditions, according to municipal records obtained by WTC News.
The issue arose following fourteen documented sightings of what witnesses describe as a seven-foot humanoid figure with luminescent eyes and an unsettling gait. However, thirteen of these encounters occurred during daylight hours or under existing street lighting, conditions that residents say significantly diminished the experience’s impact.
You see this thing shuffling toward you at two in the afternoon and it’s just awkward for everyone involved. There’s no ambiance. No sense of dread. My neighbor was watering her petunias right there.
— Margaret Chen, Elm Street resident
Town Council Chair Dorothy Brennan confirmed that the municipality has received formal complaints through proper channels. “We take all citizen concerns seriously,” Brennan said. “If our residents feel that their paranormal encounters are being undermined by municipal infrastructure decisions, that’s something we need to address.”
DCA Provides Technical Guidance
Arthur Pritchard, spokesperson for the Department of Cryptid Affairs, said the agency has issued preliminary recommendations for optimal encounter conditions. The guidance suggests strategic reduction of ambient lighting in designated zones between sunset and sunrise, while maintaining safety standards for vehicular traffic.
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FIELD ALERT
DCA advises residents that atmospheric enhancement projects may temporarily increase encounter frequency during adjustment period. Residents should prepare accordingly.
“We want to ensure that all parties—human and otherwise—can engage in meaningful interactions,” Pritchard explained. “Poor lighting conditions can create confusion and reduce the overall quality of the experience for everyone involved.”
PROPOSED UPGRADES
• Installation of amber-tinted street lamps on Elm and Oak Streets
• Motion-activated lighting with 15-second delay
• Fog machine rental budget allocation for October
• Designated “atmospheric zones” with reduced illumination
• Emergency lighting override for actual emergencies
The entity itself has not been available for comment, though witnesses report it appears to avoid well-lit areas and has been observed testing different walking speeds depending on available shadows.
Last Tuesday it just stood there under the street lamp looking embarrassed. I felt bad for it, honestly. This is supposed to be scary, not sad.
— Bob Martinez, Oak Street
The Thursday meeting will include a presentation from municipal lighting consultant James Reeves, who specializes in “mood-appropriate public illumination.” Reeves has worked on similar projects in Harlan’s Creek and Millbrook, both of which reported improved resident satisfaction with paranormal encounters following lighting modifications.
Funding for the proposed upgrades would come from the town’s Special Circumstances Reserve, established in 2019 following what records describe only as “the summer situation.” Council members expect to vote on the proposal at their next regular meeting.
