The Zoning Board of Appeals will hear an appeal filed by abutters to the Newton South High School Brandeis Road Field Lights permit that was issued by the Commissioner of Inspectional Services on July 22, 2022.
According to the appeal, residents were caught by surprise when the Mayor announced a plan to install lights at Brandeis Field in October 2021. No notice had been provided to residents, and residents were promised that lights would not be installed on the Brandeis Field when the lights were installed at Winkler Stadium. Residents contend that the project meets only one need — lights to accommodate an additional one hour for Monday through Thursday practices in October and early November for the exclusive use for freshman and sophomore student-athletes — which equate to 50-75 hours annually, at a cost of approximately $700,000 of COVID relief funding from Federal taxpayers and that the needs could be met with the purchase of mobile, LED, battery-powered lighting at a total cost of $30,000.
In addition, residents state that resident feedback was not addressed and that abutters remain strongly opposed, with over 150 residents within a quarter-mile of the site having signed a petition against this project. The appeal also argues that neither the Parks and Recreation Commission nor the Mayor has jurisdiction to permit this project, as sole control of the fields and its use belongs to the School Committee. The appeal makes reference to a School Committee meeting held on April 4, 2022, where the School Committee received a presentation from the Parks, Recreation and Culture Commissioner regarding proposed lights on the Newton North and Newton South High School fields. Members received this memo from Assistant Superintendent Liam Hurley regarding the approval process for these projects, but several members, including the Chair, questioned what their role was on this issue and School Committee member Paul Levy expressed concerns about the project, stating the project represents a “tin ear with respect to the concerns of the community.”
However, by the April 11 meeting, Attorney Murray issued this opinion stating that the presentation of the proposed athletic field lights was for informational purposes only and unlike other votes involving changes of use (e.g., the creation of a dog park at Newton South), this vote was well within the jurisdiction of the Parks and Recreation Commission because Section 21-2(b) of the Newton City Ordinances provide the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Commissioner authority over the management, maintenance, and care of school grounds. (NOTE: Residents contend that the field’s use is changing from strictly daytime use for the past 60 years to include nighttime use.)
The hearing before the Zoning Board of Appeals will take place tonight, September 28 at 7PM (in person: Council Chamber; virtual: Zoom link).
