by Jay Lawson
The Town of Webb Board met for their regular monthly on Tuesday, August 11, and discussed a number of issues, including ideas for restoring full outdoor lighting to the Al Stripp Soccer Field at North Street.
Some of the field’s wooden light poles have either fallen or are in danger of falling and must be replaced.
A long-term solution involves replacement poles of varying cost.
On the high end of the price scale are durable steel poles that are estimated to cost $112,000, including installation to existing wiring.
Supervisor Ted Riehle said he believes an alternative can be found with a much lower price tag.
This would involve shorter poles and possibly lower-priced materials, he said.
Shorter poles might be able to be used if located on an elevated bank adjacent to the field, Riehle said.
Research will have to be done to determine if the light would illuminate the field sufficiently from that distance, he said.
It’s quite possible that a short-term solution will involve the renting of portable light units, according to Councilman Mike Ross.
This would allow night use of the field for the Town of Webb School’s annual Columbus Day Soccer Tournament, which features night games.
Four lighting units would cost about $800 for the weekend event, Ross said.
The generators that power them run at 67 decibels, which is believed to be mild, he added.
George Hiltebrant, a Webb Town Board candidate, was in attendance and asked about the lighted field’s frequency of use.
Councilman Ross estimated that a total number of days the lights are used, including the Columbus Day tournament, is potentially eight days per year.
In an interview, Supervisor Riehle said the lighted facility lends options to the town that are valuable.
In addition to expanded possibilities for events, such as Snodeo and Snofest, which were cited by Councilman Ross, the lighted field allowed for the Forge Fest concert event that had been held in the past.
The Columbus Day tournament is not an insignifican event either, he said, describing it as an integral part of the community’s fabric and history.
Therefore the facility should be maintained for overall benefit to the town, according to Riehle, but he added that a cost-effective solution must, and can, be found.
The Board will discuss the matter further at upcoming meetings.
Lighting deficiencies are not the concern everywhere in the Town of Webb, however.
Thendara resident Tim Quinn said there is an overabundance of light emanating from the TOBIE Bridge at night.
Quinn described the natural need for humans to experience a diminishment of light during the evening hours.
He said darkness is necessary for proper mental and physiological health in human beings.
And he is affected directly, his residence being adjacent to the TOBIE bridge, which he said glows insufferably at night, especially during fog conditions.
Quinn said his tallies show the bridge to be practically unused after dark.
Therefore, he urged the Board to consider removing the lights, allowing for natural luminance.
Mary Brophy Moore explained that the lighting originated from community requests having to do with safety.
Much care and consideration went into the selection of lighting that was considered appropriate and tasteful with regard to placement and brightness.
Moore said she believes the lighting solution to have been implemented fairly well.
Councilwoman Russell agreed, as did Councilmen J.B. Herron, Ross and Supervisor Riehle.
No motion was made to modify or extinguish the bridge lighting.
In other business, the Town accepted the resignation of Dana Pashley from the Department of Public Works.
Supervisor Riehle and the Board thanked him for his service, describing him as a valued employee that will be missed.
Riehle said he was offered a nice employment opportunity with the Town of Webb School District and will be pursuing it.
Town of Webb Police Chief Ron Johnston will be receiving a $3,500 grant for his department, according to notification received from Senator Hugh Farley.
The funds may be used generally for law enforcement, anti-drug, crime control and prevention programs.