Project representatives presented proposed lighting guidelines for the upper turf field at North Andover High School, saying the plan is contingent on Town Meeting approval of the larger field renovation project.

Nut graf: If town meeting approves the field project on May 13, officials recommended allowing lights to operate Monday through Friday until 9 p.m. during spring and fall seasons, with no regular weekend use and a formal one‑year review to assess neighborhood impacts.

Representatives said the overall campus project will improve a grass baseball field, tennis courts, track and a multiuse area including soccer and football, and add lighting improvements at Walsh Stadium and the upper turf field. The planning board and conservation commission have approved elements of the plan, presenters said.

The proposed lighting schedule would apply only to the upper turf field inside the Alex Ferrisi track; presenters said baseball, softball and tennis areas are being resurfaced but will not receive lights in this phase because of cost. “The goal was to identify specifically we’re not gonna be using [the lights] on the weekends,” a project presenter said, describing meetings with nearby residents and an effort to be “neighborly.”

School Committee members asked who would use the field. Presenters and school‑system staff said the turf plus lights would primarily expand after‑dark use for turf sports: varsity and JV field hockey and soccer in fall, and boys’ and girls’ lacrosse and track in spring; youth and booster programs would also benefit. Presenters said lights would allow teams to complete home games later in the season and reduce rental costs the youth programs now pay off‑site.

Project proponents asked the committee to “endorse” the guideline framework so they can return after Town Meeting with a finalized schedule if the project is approved. The presenters emphasized that neighbors had requested clear limits on timing and weekend use; the presenters pledged to come back for special events approvals and to do a one‑year operational review.

Discussion vs. decision: The School Committee did not vote on the lighting plan; the project must be approved at the Town Meeting warrant (May 13) before the committee would take a formal vote.

Ending: The presenters said they would return to the School Committee with final operating details after Town Meeting and after installing the lights if voters approve the renovation bond.