P&Z Okays Temporary Lights for PAL Football

The Westport Planning ad Zoning Commission tonight approved temporary lighting to be used beginning next week for PAL football practice on the P.J. Romano and Doubleday fields behind Saugatuck Elementary School. Under the approval requested by the Parks & Recreation Department, lights powered by diesel generators may be used until 8 p.m. during the week from Sept. 1 until Nov. 30. The P&Z approved a regulation change two weeks ago clearing the way for the approval. (See WestportNow Sept. 29, 2011) “This is not a want for us; this is a need,” Carmen Roda, Westport PAL’s director of youth sports, told the P&Z then. “Safety is paramount,” Roda said, adding that football is a strong contact sport with increased risks due to poor lighting when natural daylight fades after 5 p.m. during the fall. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com