1. 9PM lights out OK

2. 25 acre deed restriction needs to be put on parcel next to it

3. Full Planning Board review and an acceptable enforceable agreement including: lights, security, and water run off

4. He was concerned about the property owner’s rights to development. He mentioned the hotel that was supposedly discussed many years ago, however, the current zoning would not permit that use. The property is currently zoned residential.

John Murray- supports the plan

1. Discussed the type of lighting

2. Noted that it was already dark at 7:30PM and that it gets dark before 6PM in October when they would be in the height of the season.

3. Was concerned that the amount of public money being spent ($5 million) required the lights, otherwise Morris Township would not get an adequate return for their investment. 

4. Noted that the ice rink in Bayne Park keeps the lights on until 10PM and occasionally until 11PM (see Ward & Lanzerotti comments)

5. Finally, he said he felt Harding should keep control for at least a couple of years. (Question from the residents- Does this mean annexation is back on the table?) 

Jim Rybka- if he had to vote tonight he would vote no

1. He has concerns about the lights

2. Does not see the benefit to Harding

3. Wants to see the balloons and technology (the balloons were raised to the level of the lights and showed where the lights would go)

4. Indicated he may still vote “no” after seeing the technology and balloon test

5. Wants to hear public comment on Morris Township’s amended plan.

Ned Ward- if he had to vote tonight he would vote no

1. Wants to see the balloons and technology

2. Reaffirmed that Harding would still get 6 hours per month use

3. Mentioned that the ice ring in Bayne Park was used 3 days last winter

4. Ned also expressed concern about making any agreement decided on now permanent so it could not be changed in the future with different people in office (as an example, see John Murray, item 5)

Lou Lanzerotti- no with lights, yes without

1. Had gotten many e-mails on the subject, has replied to all

2. Supports ball fields and parks, but closing at dusk  and no lights.

3. Three reasons for not supporting lights:

1. Intensity of use. This will be used for competition 7 days per week. The lights in Bayne Park are only 30ft high and there is no formal competition, just ad-hoc games. The ice rink in Bayne Park is not used in excess of 2 weeks per year

2. Sets a precedent for future projects.

3. There is no deed restriction on the 25 acre next to the proposed park. If the land is deemed open space that opens up the possibility of using it for active recreation. If the lights set a precedent, the Harding residents would be impacted by the development of the 25 acres and the requirement to install lights.

The decision was for Morris Township to set up the balloon test, and to arrange for the viewing of the Musco lighting they are recommending for the fields. These lights are currently installed at the new fields that were built on the old Greystone property.

The Harding Township Committee will notify and invite the residents to participate in both events, and would like to hear public comments after both events.

One final note- Morris Township did not acknowledge or make any comment about assisting Harding to get the deed restriction placed on the 25 acres next to the parcel where they want to put the fields.