The WW-P school board has adopted a policy setting rules for the use of the athletic field lights expected to be installed at both of the district’s high schools.
Prior to the vote on June 28, the board noted that some revisions to the language in the policy had been made since the first reading earlier in the month to try to relieve concerns of residents living in neighborhoods near the fields.
Residents had questioned whether the language in the policy was strong enough to ensure that the High School South Booster Club, which will pay for and install the lights, would be responsible for all of the costs associated with use of the lights — and not taxpayers.
According to the policy, there will be a two-year moratorium on any outside group’s utilization of the athletic field lights, and there will be no weekend use of the field lights.
Day games would continue as done previously, it stated. The policy must also be reviewed annually for the first three years, as circumstances may change, which, in turn, require changes to the policy.
The policy also states that the use of the lighting will be based on the scheduling needs of the principals, athletic director, and the administration.
“This may vary from day-to-day, week-to-week, or year-to-year,” the policy states.
Originally, the policy enforced a “hard stop” of 9 p.m. on week nights from Monday through Thursday and set a hard stop for 10:30 p.m. on Friday evenings, with an override component for the completion of varsity sports as per NJSIAA regulations. The policy also stated that on evenings when there are no competition events, the lights must be turned off by 8 p.m. Summer use will be limited to August athletic competitions and practices, under the time lines set.
Among the changes was the clarification that “there will be no utilization of field lights on Saturday or Sunday evenings.” The language (which previously referred to a more broad “weekend”) was added to ensure Friday was not interpreted as part of the weekend.
It was the section on budgets that drew concern from residents. The policy states that “the planned usage for the fields for both competitions and practices must be done each season by the athletic director.
This plan must include budgets to ensure that the financial and human resources are available for the utilities costs, security, and other related costs.” The plan has to be submitted for review by the administration and facilities committee prior to the beginning of each season.
Residents had argued that the policy simply stated that a plan had to ensure funding was available, but they did not specify where those funds should come from. The policy should specifically state that the booster club would be responsible for all of those costs, they said.
In addition, resident Sara Spangler Campanella said at a prior meeting that certain aspects of the policy — including the time frame and permitted hours of usage of the field lights — conflicted with West Windsor township ordinance. The noise levels that would be created by allowing the field lights to be used in the evening hours conflicted with noise level restrictions set by West Windsor, she said.
In response, the board added language that stated “we will abide by all noise regulations by respective township.”
Councilwoman Linda Geevers had previously urged the board to add language that allows the neighbors of the schools to review the policy.
The board added language to specify that the annual review of the policy would be held at an open session of the board’s Administration and Facilities meeting, that notice would be posted on the school district website one week in advance of the meeting, and that “public comments will be solicited specifically regarding the utilization and implementation of this policy on a yearly basis.”
The Administration and Facilities committee will then discuss its findings at a public board meeting, where it will again allow for public comment, the policy states.
Geevers suggested at the June 28 meeting, however, that the school board send notices to nearby residents when the policy review is coming up.
In response, school board member Todd Hochman said that the board is not a Zoning or Planning Board and is not required by law to provide notices to neighbors within a certain distance of school property.
“We did not want to burden the administration with that,” said Hochman. “I think it is reasonable we would post it on the website.”
Board member John Farrell asked why the board restricted use of the fields in the summer and on weekends.
“We’re trying to balance” the policy with the concerns from some people in the community “who are very much against this,” said Hochman.
In April the board approved an amendment to its agreement with the High School South Booster Club, a nonprofit group, to install lights at the high school athletic fields.
The amendment allows the booster club to install the lights at the first field, which is anticipated to be at High School South, before sufficient funding has been raised for lights at North.
Some residents near both schools have been opposed to the idea of installing lights since the board began looking at the matter last year.
They cited concerns for decreased safety and quality of life in their neighborhoods as a result of the people brought into the neighborhoods for night games.
Other concerns include that some of the costs associated with running the lights at the athletic fields will end up falling to taxpayers.
Board members, however, reiterated that the agreement would not allow taxpayer money to be used to fund the project.
The original agreement was approved in December to allow the club to preside over the process for installing athletic field lights at both schools. The memorandum of understanding grants the Booster Club the permission to install the lights in 2012. The agreement protects the school district against any charges — even for utility costs — with regard to use of the lights.
Aramark Contract Renewed. In other business during the June 28 meeting, the board authorized the second year of a two-year contract with Aramark for custodial and maintenance services for a total of $4.7 million.
