Town Again Passes Temporary Lights at Griffin Park

The Windham Soccer Association will have its temporary lights on the Griffin Park athletic fields again this year, following a favorable vote from the Board of Selectmen.

The board members voted 2-1 to accept the temporary lights, with Selectman Ross McLeod abstaining from the vote as he was presenting the proposal on behalf of the WSA.

There was one change this year, as McLeod asked the board to accept extra lighting that will point toward the field, more consistently illuminating the area.

"We wont be adding to the lighting load on Squire Armor (Road)," he said.

Board member Roger Hohenberger, who has consistently voted against the lights due to their impact on the Squire Armor households, was even more concerned that the lights are now being increased.

Fellow board member Phil LoChiatto shared Hohenberger's concern, but it wasn't enough for him to vote against the lights.

The lights will operate between the same dates as last year, illuminating the field from the middle of September to November 3.

According to Mcleod, The hours will also remain the same. Last year the lights remained on until 8 p.m.

McLeod told the board that the WSA will work with Recreation Coordinator Cheryl Haas to mark where the sprinkler heads are on the field so they are not knocked during installation.

As has been the case in the past, the WSA will cover all associated costs that will come from the installation.

No residents of the Squire Armor neighborhood came to the meeting to argue against the lights.

Last year, a resident issued a complaint that the lights were shining in through her window, but none of the other residents on the street expressed any concerns.