Windham postpones park lights vote

New Hampshire

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November 11, 2009

By Terry Date

WINDHAM — Lighting parts of Griffin Park generated debate at Monday's selectmen meeting as residents questioned light schedules, park safety and billing.

In the end, the selectmen postponed a vote on authorizing the lights until the town's Recreation Committee reviews the plan with neighbors of the Range Road park.

That discussion is scheduled for Nov. 19.

The committee is to bring a recommendation to the selectmen on Nov. 23, and the board is expected to vote on the proposal that night.

"I will have a lot more faith in the process if we take that extra step," board member Ross McLeod said.

"I do not want to bypass the Rec Committee, either," board Chairman Galen Stearns said.

The Windham Baseball Softball Association's proposal calls for installing eight lights at the rear of the parking lot, seven lights along the park's center walkway and four poles with 18 lights on Zimmer Field, where Little League Baseball is played.

The association would donate the money for the lights and installation — about $138,000.

Taxpayers would pay the annual electric bill, estimated at $3,200.

The ball field lights would remain on until 9 p.m., said Charles McMahon, a selectman and president of the baseball/softball group.

Representatives from Musco, the company that would install the lights, said the fixtures would be aimed down, using visors, to keep light from shining outside the park.

Still, abutter Elizabeth Bondioli said it would be irresponsible to approve lights until a policy has been set that regulates the time the lights would be used and answers other questions.

McMahon said the procedure in the past has been for the selectmen to approve park items and then let the committee recommend policy.

Resident Michael Jeffers questioned whether people would park on Range Road at night, where it is unlit, if the parking lot becomes filled. He said it would be unsafe.

Police Chief Gerald Lewis said he does not think the proposal to light Zimmer Field will lead to overflow parking on Range Road.

Lewis said he supports park lights because they would make it easier for police to patrol the park, deterring vandalism.

Some residents said they were concerned that, eventually, more areas of the park would be lit.

Resident Jerry Catt and School Board Vice Chairman Mike Hatem said it would make more sense to have lighted fields at Windham High School, where there is plenty of parking and no abutter issues.

McMahon said the proposal is for Griffin Park, and it has been part of the park plans from the beginning. McMahon wants the lights to be ready for next season.