Darien High School entrance

Compromise Proposal on Sports Lights Released by Selectman Richards & Neighbors of DHS

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At Monday night’s Darien Board of Selectmen meeting, Selectman Rob Richards released a letter saying that neighbors of Darien High School were willing to accept permanent lighting for sports, provided use of the lights was closely regulated. Richards said he had been talking with neighbors to see what kind of compromise proposal might be worked out with them, the school district and others supporting more lighting, particularly for night sports games. ____________

— See also: “Superintendent Brenner Recommends Permanent Stadium Lights at DHS” (March 14)

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Here’s the statement Richards, one of two Democrats on the five-member board, read near the end of the meeting, and the text of a proposal signed by 14 neighbors living in eight homes near the high school:
Richards’ statement
Dear BoS, BoE, P&Z, community leaders, and the people of Darien,

Last November I suggested the Board of Selectmen take a leadership roll in regard to DHS Lights.  The suggestion was welcome by a group of neighbors who have opposed the lights. They invited me to discuss the issue with them back in January.  For the past several months the neighbors and I have been working on a solution. My plan was to present a solution with the neighbors blessing before the Board of Selectmen.

Brenner at board 3-9-16

Superintendent Brenner Recommends Permanent Stadium Lights at DHS

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When Superintendent Dan Brenner started his job in Darien nine months ago, he said he initially wasn’t sure about supporting permanent stadium lights for night games at the high school, a controversial subject for years in town, but he now says that he wants them. “You know, I had started by saying I am not sure how I would weigh in, but in fact I’m here to say that this is the recommendation that I’m making,” Brenner told the Board of Education at its meeting Wednesday. The current town policy of limited use of temporary lights has led to Darien not being able to host some sports games, which is disappointing, Brenner said:

“It’s interesting to live through a season or two and to watch how that unfolded for a whole bunch of kids,” he said. “It’s interesting to see that because there were no lights that the kids were unable to benefit from being able to play in front of their hometown fans at their own school.” Lighting for sports fields at the high school has been limited because neighbors have complained that the lights are too visible from their homes.