Norwalk committee schedules public hearing after residents press PFAS, health concerns over Broad River turf plan

The Recreation and Parks and Cultural Affairs Committee voted unanimously April 9 to schedule a public hearing on the Broad River Baseball Complex for 6 p.m. May 14 to collect public input and technical analysis on whether the complex should use synthetic turf, hybrid infields or all-grass fields.

The hearing follows nearly two hours of public comment and committee discussion in which neighbors, scientists and youth-sports volunteers aired competing concerns about field playability, maintenance costs, climate resilience and potential contamination of nearby drinking-water supplies.

Residents and environmental advocates pressed the committee to delay any decision until a neutral, technical review is completed. Diane Loricella, a nearby resident, urged a “comprehensive neutral party” be hired and said, “In fact, a moratorium on artificial turf fields would be in the offing” until further study is done.

Richard Harris, a marine scientist with East Norwalk Blue, told the committee that samples taken near the proposed site showed per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) already present in local…