Will Stadium Lights Shine at DHS?

The Board of Education and the Darien Junior Football League came before the Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday to present their proposals for portable stadium lights at Darien High School’s stadium field.

Ultimately, The Planning and Zoning Commission has the power to decide whether or not the stadium lights will shine. If the commission approves the proposals, they will issue a special permit allowing for the lights implementation.

Last year, the commission approved the Board of Education's proposal on a conditional basis: lights could only be utilized during weekday practices and had to be turned off by 6 p.m. By the time the commission granted approval, Blue Wave football was the only team still using the field; all other field sports had completed their seasons. Because last year’s utilization of lights was considered a “pilot program,” the Board of Education had to resubmit their proposal for the upcoming season; and this year’s proposal features a few key differences.

One of the most noticeable changes is that unlike last year’s lights, which were powered by a diesel generator, this year the lights will plug directly into an electrical outlet at the high school. This will lessen the sound of the generator, a major complaint of neighbors last fall.

“The light fixtures themselves are basically identical to the ones used last year’s,” said Paul Engemann, the director of facility construction operations for the Board of Education. “They will have diesel generators on them, however they will not be used. They will plug directly into a 120 volt outlet. It’s the same unit.”

Second, the Board of Education is asking to use the lights for a long period of time. Last year’s pilot program allowed the lights to be used by the football team from November 20 to December 4. This year, the board hopes for permission to light the field from the start of November, when days become shorter.

“Time is of the essence with regard to our student athletes, as the fall season is already underway,” said Kimberly Westcott, vice-chairman of the Board of Education, who added that lights the lights allow for safer practices.

The DJFL asked to use lights for their practices for an additional hour and a half, immediately after the DHS practices end at 6 p.m.

“We will have our people there in the parking lot, ready to,” said DJFL board member Guy Wisinski. “We will end practice at 7:15 p.m. It was a privilege [to be able to use the lights last year], and we want to make sure we hold to each one of those guidelines.”

This year’s proposal is also compliant with Title IX, which requires schools to offer equal athletic opportunities to both its male and female students. That means that the opportunity to practice under the lights will be extended to all fall field sports, not just football.

“I could not make a football only proposal,” Fiftal said. “For the kind of equity we believe in for Darien students and also to assure title IX compliance, I would have to make the opportunity available to any Darien team in the fall.”

John Keleher, Director of Athletics at DHS said that field time under the lights would be made available to all sports, on a rotating schedule.

Funding presents another issue. Costs including the lights’ rental, maintenance, insurance and operating are not included in the current budget. If approved, the Board of Education will need to rely on financial support to fund the project.

“The Darien public schools will take the responsibility to identify funding. This budget season, we do not have funds in our budget,” Fiftal said. “If the Planning and Zoning Commission approves this, that would trigger our discussions with whomever we feel might be interested in helping to support the operation of it.”

According to Jeremy Ginsberg, Lieutenant Donald Anderson of the Darien Police Department addressed another concern regarding traffic. Ginsberg stated that there are no foreseen traffic issues related to either the DHS or DFJL applications.

After both proposals were presented, the meeting moved into a question and answer period.

Secretary Joseph Spain questioned the DJFL’s citation of the utilization of lights at paddle tennis courts at various Darien country clubs as precedent, as the stadium field is so much bigger.

Wisinski argued that unlike the old fixtures used at the country clubs, the lights selected for the high school use cutting edge technology that help direct light and cause as little disruption as possible.

Spain then brought up the issue of the impact on the surrounding neighborhood, and opened discussion to the public.

Lawyer Gregory Cobb, spoke on behalf of a group called “Darien High School Neighbors.”

“This proposal would extend the football field as a source of light and sound pollution. These neighbors have been subjected to untold pressures and vandalism by at least one person who admitted to the authorities they did it on their position in relation to being opposed to the school lights. I know everyone thinks this is not a big deal. There are severe impacts.”

Darien resident Walter Raleigh also spoke in opposition of the lights. He said there is good reason why there are not permanent stadium lights in Darien.

“We don’t have sports fields that are lighted in Darien, because there is no place in town that has been found that would not be a nuisance and violate the rights of nearby property owners,” he said. “I believe it’s imperative that you be asked to turn down the current applications until there is an agreement between the school and neighbors as to how the lights could be used.”

Nearing its two-hour mark, before Chariman of Planning and Zoning Commission Fred Conze adjourned the hearing.

“Let’s get this thing solved peacefully if we can,” said Conze. “We’d all prefer to see a peaceful resolution. Stay tuned.”

Discussions will continue at a public hearing scheduled for October 6 at 8 p.m.