By Kerri Williams

WESTPORT – An overwhelmingly popular plan to add lighting to two town athletic fields received some pushback from those who live near the fields during Monday’s Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting. The commission continued the public hearing on the proposal to its next meeting on June 1.

The town website has received more than 100 emails in support of the proposal to add  permanent lights to PJ Romano field, on Riverside Avenue, and Wakeman B field, on North Avenue. The plan was submitted by Erik Barbieri, director of Parks and Recreation.

Proponents say the lights, which would include LED fixtures attached to 70-foot poles, are necessary to increase youth playing time in a town where athletics is important and field access is a big issue. Those in favor of the plan, mostly players, coaches and parents, have added that the lights will also help allow for equal access for female athletes.

“As you know, the demand on our athletic fields continues to grow while available time and space become increasingly limited, especially during the fall months when daylight disappears quickly,” said Robert and Magalena Boroujerdi, in an email to the commission. “Adding permanent lighting … feels like a practical and measured investment that better supports the students and families who rely on these facilities every day.”

But some neighbors, including a group on Whippoorwill Lane, cited their concerns about the proposal during Monday’s meeting. Everything from traffic and safety concerns to noise issues and changing the character of the neighborhood was brought up by those opposing the lights. The commission has received about 25 letters from those with reservations about the lighting.

John Francis, a longtime resident of Whippoorwill, talked about the evolution of the Wakeman field property from a farm to the current field. He cited concerns about wildlife in the area, including deer and owls, who might be disturbed by lighting at night. 

“It’s important to recognize that once you take the step of putting lights in, you can’t take them out,” Francis said.

Another nearby resident, Frank Dubinsky, added that he is concerned that lighting these fields will lead to more proposals to light surrounding ones. “After this, they will be trying to light the next field and the next field,” he said, adding that the neighborhood “cannot turn into a sports complex.”

The proposals for lighting these fields came after the P&Z adopted Text Amendment 850 in February 2025, which amended the zoning regulations to permit permanent lighted athletic fields on town-owned, public-school property. Currently, the town has three lit athletic fields – permanent lights at the Greens Farms Elementary School softball field and at Staples Stadium and temporary lighting at PJ Romano Field.

The Planning and Zoning Department has stated that the current proposals appear to comply with the requirements of the town zoning regulations, including setbacks, pole height, and lighting design. 

Also incorporated are design measures to minimize impacts on surrounding properties, including down-directed LED fixtures. According to the department comments, the installation of lighting will improve visibility for athletic activities, thereby enhancing safety.

But two residents who live on Riverside Avenue are concerned about the traffic safety now at Romano field and feel conditions will worsen if permanent lighting is approved. Charles Tirreno, who lives across from the entrance to the field, said that people often “zoom in and out” of the entrance, often making an illegal left turn. If the lighting proposal were to be approved, Mary Tirreno has requested that a police officer monitor the traffic there during games and practices.

Diana Mashia, who resides near the Wakeman field, said that “never did I envision a stadium-sized light” there. She urged the commission to “think about our heritage and what we want to be.” 

Kerri Williams

^{_{Kerri Williams is an award-winning writer and journalist. She has worked as a reporter at the Norwalk Hour, as Living editor at the Darien News-Review, and managing editor for the Norwalk Citizen-News. For Westport Journal, she is a reporter as well as a gardening columnist, writing “Cultivating with Kerri.” She recently published her first children’s book – “Mabel’s Big Move,” based on her daughter with special needs.}}