Neighbors seek injunction against athletic field lights, noise
MEDIA COURTHOUSE >> Two Wallingford residents living right behind King Field at Strath Haven Middle School have filed a petition for a temporary and permanent injunction against the Wallingford Swarthmore School District, citing “extreme sound and light pollution,” according to Media attorney Gerard Schrom.
Schrom said he filed a 70-page petition with 360 pages of attachments Friday
on behalf of George and Marcia Levitsky, who have lived at their Copples Lane residence for 35 years.
The couple, now in their 70s and suffering from health issues, claim lights are left on at the field constantly and their house actually shakes from the sound system and marching band, which averages 400 members by the school’s own estimation.
“The usage has just jumped tremendously when they renovated the field and made it an artificial turf field,” said Schrom Friday, adding that about half of the events are not associated with the district itself, but are for other private parties.
“The increased use of King Field has been natural growth, reflecting the diverse types of programing and interest of our students,” said Scott Badami, an attorney representing the district. “We work hard to meet the needs of our students within the limited space the school district has. Also, our activities at King Field are in compliance with all township codes.”
But Schrom said there does not appear to be any limit to the decibel level the sound system can broadcast and the lights are bright enough to read a newspaper from his client’s back yard during an overcast night.
The couple previously voiced concerns to the Nether Providence Township Board of Commissioners in 2014 after a 12-hour “Relay for Life” fundraiser
was held at the field, according to Daily Times archives. George Levitsky said at that time that they had spoken to the school board about the issue and received no response.
Badami said the district was “disappointed” that the Levitskys filed their injunction to limit activities at the field, which he said has been part of the educational experience for generations of students and their families.
“Our marching band and athletic teams have proudly performed for their classmates, family members and friends on King Field as a valuable part of the high school experience,” he said. “Please know the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District will work to ensure the use of King Field remains in the best interests of our students, faculty and residents.”
Schrom said Friday that his clients are not stuffy old curmudgeons bent on eradicating extracurricular activities at the field. They are just trying to strike a balance by placing some limitations on noise and light levels, he said, but have come to their wit’s end.
“Clearly, from my perspective, the school district is really kind of out of control in terms of how they are using this field and abusing the neighbors,” said Schrom. “We’ve tried to work with them, but they basically, at least from our perspective, have really thumbed their noses at my people, the residents who are living there and have lived there for 35 years.”