Verona Residents, Officials Torn About Field Lighting at Cribbs

The debate about installing field lights at Cribbs Field in Verona continues, and residents and officials seem to be torn on the issue.

On Tuesday, Verona Council was ready to take a vote on the matter until a possible safety issue came up. Officials agreed to hold off until next month's meeting.

There would be —three at the first base line and three at the third base line with five lights or so per pole. Officials stressed the lights are not stadium-type lights and would have shields to avoid overflow into the residential neighborhood.

The poles would be donated to the borough and installed by Duquesne Light, and the Riverview Athletic Association would work to obtain grants to buy the actual lights.

Officials have been discussing the possibility of field lights since 2010. Their purpose would be to allow more playing time on the fields for RAA teams.

Resident Al Raimondi echoed concerns he presented about the issue last year. Those concerns include parking problems, lighting problems, loud noises, disturbances later on into the night, possible reduction in property values and, most recently, safety problems.

Raimondi said Cribbs Field is one of three authorized landing spots in the borough for emergency medical helicopters—the other two are near the Daily's factory and in the park next to the . He said the new lights might interfere with a helicopter's ability to land.

Councilwoman Sandra Drabicki-Bell said that possibility makes her nervous.

"We've already had problems with our ," she said. "We don't need anymore problems."

Councilman Dom Conte said he doesn't think it would be an issue, but he would make contact with emergency services before next month's council meeting.

Conte said lights would be used about two times per week and will be shut off at 10 p.m., no exceptions.

"Our intention is to give the kids in our town a chance to play under the lights like the big boys do," he said.

Jim Ashbaugh of Verona attended the meeting as a representative with RAA. He presented council with a petition of 54 adult signatures and the signatures of 18 children within the organization who are in favor of field lights.

"The kids were so excited for this," he said.

However, some residents questioned the benefit to Verona Borough. RAA serves children from Oakmont and Verona. There are 210 children from Oakmont and 78 children from Verona who participate in the baseball/softball program.

Because the majority of the children are from the Oakmont community, some residents suggested it would be best for the lights to be installed at in Oakmont.

"One-third of the kids are from Verona, but our residents will take 100 percent of the burden," Raimondi said.

Verona resident Denise Gemellas said she doesn't think it's the best idea to install the lights because several children will be unsupervised and the poles themselves could be a safety hazard if they're not padded.

"I want the kids to play, but play during the daytime," she said.

Councilwoman Peggy Suchevich said the borough has a park for residents and children to use.

"These kids need something to do," she said. "If this can keep one kid off the streets, I'm 100 percent for it."

Officials will continue to discuss the matter before voting on March 13 at 7 p.m. Residents are welcome to make their comments public before the vote.