DIXFIELD — Selectmen voted unanimously Monday night in support of plans by local sports boosters to have lights installed at Harlow Field.

They also agreed to ask residents at a special town meeting set for Dec. 9 for permission to take $50,000 from the Ione Harlow Fund to go toward the project.

Scott Holmes, a member of the boosters and of a small group who have worked on the proposal, presented tentative plans and advantages to having lighting for night football and soccer games. Among the benefits he mentioned were an increase in attendance and an better scheduling for all sports teams.

“We could have all practices during the day, less shifting of schedules and it would be good for homecoming events,” he said.

He said the estimated cost of lighting the fields is $75,000, with all work done by volunteers. He said the fixtures would significantly reduce light shining on adjacent properties.

Parking for more attendees at middle and high school games would be on the practice field.

Western Foothills Regional School Unit 10 Superintendent Tom Ward appeared before the board in support of the proposal.

“There are many, many advantages to having lights,” he said. “And you are really getting a benefit with all the volunteer labor.”

Scott Blaisdell, a booster, said the the town and school would save about $50,000 by using volunteer labor.

Holmes and Ward said the lights would largely be used during the fall sports season, with other seasons only occasionally requiring night lighting. Lights would also be off by 9:30 p.m.

Holmes said meetings with abutting landowners will be called to explain the plan and to answer any questions.

Ward said the school district would pay the electric bills for school-related events. Those were estimated at about $413 a month for two events, or about $500 a month for four events.

Holmes believes the added attendance would likely pay much if not all the costs of electricity.

The remaining money needed to install the lights will likely come from fundraising efforts, Holmes said.

Mark Thompson, another active booster member who led the recent effort to build a new announcer’s tower, said he couldn’t give a precise timeline, but if the group had the $75,000 now, lights would likely be shining on football and soccer matches next fall.

“This is a top-notch field to play on and to watch. The lights will generate income,” he said.

During the Dec. 9 special town meeting, residents will also decide whether to bond $250,000 so that a new sewer main can be attached to a planned new bridge that connects Dixfield with Mexico over the Webb River.

Voters on Nov. 2 turned down the bond issue. Sewer department users will repay the bond, and not taxpayer money, Town Manager Eugene Skibitsky said.

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