Residents and environmental commission urge caution on proposed Grover Cleveland artificial turf over PFAS and microplastic concerns

Residents and members of the Caldwell Environmental Commission urged caution about a proposed artificial turf field at Grover Cleveland Middle School during the Caldwell‑West Board of Education meeting on March 24.

Ken Jurgensen, who identified himself as a Caldwell resident and said he serves on the Caldwell council but spoke "as a private citizen," told the board he researched artificial turf and raised concerns about PFAS ("forever chemicals"), microplastic shedding, heat, and long‑term costs. "All artificial turf contains PFAS," he said, and said the Colliers Engineering report prepared for the project did not address PFAS. He also cited studies and local water‑treatment efforts, saying, "Essex Fells ... spent $9,500,000 on carbon filters to remove PFAS from the drinking water," and warned about potential groundwater contamination.

Jurgensen also questioned the fiscal math of the turf, saying the Colliers report estimated $20,000 a year in maintenance savings but that the turf's initial cost — which he said was $1,600,000 as part of a larger $5,000,000 project — would not be recouped before replacement is required in 8 to 20 years. "If you divide the $20,000 into the $1,600,000, we'll never get the payback before you have to replace the turf," he said.

Anne Marchionni, co‑chair of the Caldwell Environmental Commission, told the board the commission opposes installing artificial turf on school playing fields and cited contaminant concerns: "Artificial turf is found to contain high levels of lead, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury, and several dangerous hydrocarbons," she said, and added that older studies have linked prolonged exposure to certain health risks.

Marchionni noted municipal and legislative activity in New Jersey: she said state lawmakers have introduced bills that would ban new turf installations on public properties and require removal when turf reaches end of life; she also said the commission has passed a resolution seeking a moratorium on installations and plans to pursue a ballot question in November so residents can weigh in.

Board leaders clarified the school district's role. The presiding officer told the meeting that the proposed turf is "not a Board of Education initiative" but a West Caldwell town council project pursuing Green Acres funding. "They are the ones going out for the funding. They're the ones who are going to be paying for the project," the presiding officer said, adding that any use of district property would be handled through a shared‑services agreement only if the council obtains funding and the project moves forward.

Speakers suggested potential alternatives and cautions: Jurgensen noted manufacturers' claims that turf is recyclable but said no U.S. recycling capacity exists yet; he also said turf often uses crumb rubber infill made from pulverized tires, which may contain carcinogens, and that turf surfaces can reach substantially higher surface temperatures than natural grass. Marchionni cited recommendations that artificial turf be sanitized regularly and noted that international soccer bodies and some professional players favor natural grass.

The board heard the comments during the public‑comment portion of its monthly meeting. Board members thanked the environmental commission and residents for attending and affirmed they would pass concerns to appropriate parties; but they reiterated that the town council — not the board — is the lead agency for the Green Acres application and any funding decisions.