Ed Hickson ’11
Staff Writer
When people think of Friday night football, they usually think of high school games, community spirit, and longtime memories.
On July 30 the construction of permanent lights was approved by the Planning and Zoning Committee and was greeted with mixed reactions.
The Westport RTM rejected the latest appeal against the installation of the lights, and a lawsuit was filed against the construction.
These lights are aimed to have a positive impact on Staples and Westport, as some say they will bring the great American tradition of Friday night football to the town.
However, the lights will have a negative effect on the lives of many residents of Westport, notably those living on High Point Road, which is the closest residential area to fields. The lights would constantly shine into the neighborhood at night, an annoyance and disruption to the residents.
“We would have lights in our yard. People don’t understand it’s a real geographical problem,” said Ann Gill, a resident of the High Point Road. “As we are right at the bottom of the field, these 80-foot lights would shine right into our houses.”
“The lights and accompanying noise will be intrusive on family life. They will be disruptive, loud; we will be up till 11 o’clock at night.”said Marion Leaman, another High Point Road resident.
The general consensus of the nearby residents is that the lights will not be beneficial to their neighborhood at all. Concern surrounds the amount of time the lights would be used, and how many home games would be played under the lights.
“I actually think that there would be more community spirit with daytime games, when parents and other adults aren’t commuting in and out of Westport,” Leaman said.
On the other hand, many people are relishing the prospect of watching Friday night football, which is a longstanding tradition throughout the nation.
As principal of Fairfield High School, Principal John Dodig also had to deal with the construction of lights on the football field. Local residents who were affected by the lights disapproved of their construction, but their feelings of contempt quickly disappeared.
“The furor dies, and more good comes from these lights,” Dodig said. “They attract more people, and more families come to watch football games.”
Henry • Nov 17, 2010 at 8:04 pm
What a champ Laddie
Lawrence • Nov 16, 2010 at 11:20 am
This was a very fair article – until the closing comments by the Fairfield High School Principal. Was any of the neighbors of Fairfield High School interviewed for comment on how they were effected by the ball field lights? Were the conditions the same in Fairfield as they are at Staples? Did their property values diminish in any way by the lights in Fairfield. I dont think the views of the Principal of Fairfield High School would reflect the same views of the home owners that were effected by the lights. Other than that it was a good article. Thanx!