Neighbors and Little League clash over West Rumbrook Park lights; board delays decision pending structural report

The Town of Greenberg on Nov. 12 held a public hearing on tall sports lights already installed at West Rumbrook Park's Piccoli Field and whether the town should apply limited governmental immunity (avoiding zoning board variance) to the project.

Gary Duquesne, commissioner of community development and conservation, said poles ranging from 16 to 70 feet with full‑cutoff visors were proposed to illuminate the western ballfield and adjacent pitching cages. "The orientation and function of the lights are designed to be contained within the park and ball field limits," Duquesne said.

Mike Moriadez, Musco Lighting representative, told residents taller poles with proper aiming and cutoff visors reduce glare and keep light on the field. "The lower in pole height that we go, the farther we need to push the light out, increasing spilling glare," he said, adding Musco will adjust fixtures under its warranty if residents report problems.

Residents raised three sets of concerns: the lights exceed the town code height limit (code section 2‑85‑36 limits poles to 14 feet in residential districts), that the lights were installed without permitting and inspection, and that the tall poles might pose a safety risk if footings were not verified. "This quality of lighting is similar to being in a sports stadium," said Maria Pecora, a longtime resident, urging denial and removal.

Deputy building inspector Liz Garrity said the recreation commissioner engaged a professional engineer to inspect and certify the pole footings and that test pits and certification would be expected before the town supported routine use. "They should be going out to do a site inspection and then probably we'll have to do test boards to reveal the footing so they can certify them," Garrity said.

Little League leaders defended the project. "We've been trying to get lights down in the field for a long time," said John Malone, identifying himself as vice president of the Little League, and Jordan Brenner, the Little League president, said the project was publicly discussed and privately funded in part by the league. Brenner also disputed some residents' claims about season extension and uses.

Musco offered to fine‑tune the fixtures and to conduct on‑site light‑meter testing, and the company's representative said commissioning and minor adjustments could be done now. Several board members cautioned against testing or using the lights for games until permits and inspections are complete.

Board members proposed a path forward: retain an independent structural engineer to inspect footings and certify safety, hold a follow‑up public hearing (proposed Dec. 10) and consider a vote after receiving the engineer's report. Town and contractor representatives said they are aiming to complete inspection and reporting before the end of the year if ground conditions allow. The board unanimously left the record open for all purposes until Dec. 10.