MARION — The Zoning Board of Appeals heard more information about a proposal to put four 90-foot tall lights around Tabor Academy’s main athletic field on Dec. 12, and talked about what it would take for the measure to pass, but did not vote on it.

Tabor first proposed the project a few years ago, under the previous Head of School. This is the project’s third time going through the Zoning Board, and when Tabor appealed a rejection of the second decision, the judge advised them on a legal strategy, which they have now used.

One concern from Marion residents was that more events will mean less parking in the Village. But current Head of School John Quirk said there will be less of a parking problem at night, since students from other schools will likely take one bus, and staff cars will be gone in the evening.

In response to prior complaints about noice and trash Quirk said the school would just have to “be sensitive to complaints as they arise.”

He added that “we are really looking for feedback. We know that there are mixed feelings about this.” He also offered to share controls for the field with the town in case the Town had to use it in an emergency. Tabor also offered to dim the lights between 9 and 9:30, the latest it said they would be on. 

Board member Margie Baldwin asked Quirk to clarify what he meant when he said the school could use the field for “community events.” He said they could be for an activity that’s not an official sport, like relay races, or kickball.

He was willing to publicize the school’s schedule at the beginning of the season for neighbors, but said that he hopes not to publicize every game for them. 

Janet Barnes asked a number of clarifying questions on the number and schedule of games that Quirk had outlined.

Quirk explained that the 16 night games that he had projected per year represent the maximum amount he can imagine the school having.

She also asked Quirk if he could cut down on the number of weekend games by not allowing pro-bono games on weekends when Tabor already has a match.

Quirk said that he could make that promise, but it might ultimately hurt the community more than it helped.

Tabor crafted its application so that it could either be approved as a zoning bylaw, or using the Dover Amendment, which allows exceptions to town bylaws for educational institutions. Town Counsel John Whitten explained that it would be best to pass the proposal as a special permit, even though that would take four votes in favor, and the Dover Amendments only three.

He explained that once the town uses the Dover Amendment for one case it opens up the door to use it in other cases as well.

Whitten also explained that a special permit allows the town much more control.

Though the public hearing for the issue is closed, the town will accept written comments on the case through Jan. 9. They will meet on it again on Jan. 16.