ELLINGTON, CT — Ellington Little League has received permanent approval to keep the lights on an hour later on Friday and Saturday nights at two Tedford Park fields.
The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved extending the lighting hours from 9 to 10 p.m. at M2 Field and Lisa's Field during its Aug. 24 meeting.
The league had been operating under a one-year trial approved by the commission last summer. Todd Hany, the league's vice president and facilities coordinator, told commissioners that the additional hour was used only twice — once until 9:30 p.m. and once until 10.
Although it was rarely needed, Hany said the flexibility made a significant difference for the league. Ellington's 12-year-old All-Star team won the District 8 championship this summer for the first time in 10 years.
The team advanced to the Section II tournament, where it defeated Coventry and Brooklyn before being eliminated by Madison. The league celebrated the district title on its official website.
Planning and Zoning Chairman Sean Kelly said neither the town's Land Use Department nor the Department of Public Works received any complaints during the trial period.
Two residents spoke during the public hearing. Kevin Schmidt of Hatheway Road asked whether the approval would allow the lights to remain on until 10 every Friday and Saturday. Hany said the later hours would be used only when needed.
David Guyer, also of Hatheway Road, said he had no complaints about the league's use of the lights but asked whether the approval could lead to other lighting changes at the park. Town Planner Lisa Houlihan said any other organization seeking different lighting hours would need to go through its own approval process.
The commission approved the request with the condition that the lights be shut off by 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights. The existing 9 p.m. limit remains in place during the rest of the week.
The complete discussion is included in the commission's Aug. 24 meeting minutes.
For more Northern Connecticut news, follow Patch editor Jay Kenney.
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