NORTH ATTLEBORO - A plan to add lights to Little Mason Field is beginning to take shape.

The park and recreation department received approval Tuesday for the plans from the conservation commission, which voted that the removal of a cluster of four trees will not have a significant impact on the property. Five other trees, which hang over the field, will also be pruned to make way for the lights.

"This is extremely important," Park Director Steve Carvalho said. "Having the lights will enhance little league because more people will be able to participate."

Little North Attleboro League is planning to pay for the installation of lights on the fields - in a project expected to cost $40,000 to $50,000.

The youth baseball organization has long made a practice of donating time and money to help improve the town's athletic fields. 'Space crisis'

John Holden, president of Little North Attleboro League, and Tony Rinaldi, treasurer of the organization, appeared before the conservation commission in support of the project.

"We have a real field space crisis," Holden said. "We have 1,100 kids right now, and we're able to supply 14 games per team, but we have a hard time getting in any practice."

The league rented lights for the field this summer to help provide additional time.

The installation of lights will allow Little North Attleboro League to field games on Little Mason Field about four to five nights a week.

Now that conservation commission approval for the project has been obtained, the organization will move ahead to stabilize its funding for the project.