Emmerich Park public address system use expanded

The Buffalo Grove Village Board this week approved expanded use of the public address system at Emmerich East Park, 151 Raupp Blvd.

Todd Projansky, representing the Bills Youth Football and Cheerleading Association, petitioned for the change, said the group had worked with neighbors to be sure the changes were acceptable.

The public address system now can be used beginning at 9 a.m. on some Sundays instead of noon. Its use is limited to 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on five Saturdays and 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on five Sundays over not more than five weekends per football season.

In addition, the association must give at least 48 hours notice to the Buffalo Grove Park District, the police department, village staff and a designated neighborhood leader prior to dates of planned usage.

The system's use is limited to announcing names of players and other people involved in each game, with music in the background; playing music for cheerleading performances, and making emergency notifications.

Neighbors were contacted each week that the system was used, Projansky said in response to a question from Village President Jeffrey Braiman.

"They got back to us to let us know that everybody was on board," he said. "They said that our usage was acceptable. It didn't disrupt their weekends in any way, shape or form. In fact, in most cases they didn't even care."

Trustee Jeffrey Berman commended the Bills organization for working with neighbors after several attended a Planning and Zoning Commission workshop, where spirited discussion took place. The issues were resolved, and by the time of the public hearing, no neighbor attended to express objections.