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South Portland outlines five-step plan to fix middle-school field as contractor dispute looms
Summary
Director of Operations Mike Nally presented core-sampling results that found low organic matter, compaction, inconsistent topsoil and nutrient deficiencies; staff recommended aeration, topdressing, lime/nitrogen and overseeding while pursuing cost recovery from the original contractor.
District operations staff told the board they have clear, short-term options to rehabilitate the South Portland Middle School field but also warned the community that recovering costs from the original contractor could be a long, litigated process.
Mike Nally, the district’s director of operations and safety, summarized results from Activitas core samples taken at about 20–25 locations around the field. The report identified four major issues: very low soil organic matter, extensive broadleaf weeds and crabgrass, surface compaction and inconsistent topsoil depth; a nutrient analysis also showed nitrogen and potassium deficiencies.
Nally outlined a stepwise remediation plan aimed at returning the field to playability: annual core aeration to relieve compaction; a loam top dressing to improve soil organic matter; application of lime and nitrogen fertilizer (which will require a city waiver for a synthetic fertilizer boost); overseeding with a regionally appropriate athletic-field mix; and applying for a herbicide waiver to address crabgrass. “Those five steps done in concert should yield results,” Nally said.
Board members raised two related concerns: who pays and whether the district should force the original contractor to redo the earthwork. One board member said pursuing the contractor “seems a lot longer” and likely to end up with lawyers involved, while Nally said the district can pursue both tracks — carry out remediation to restore playability quickly while also seeking cost recovery from Harvey Construction and its subcontractor.
Nally noted the district has a meeting scheduled with the architect and the state Department of Education this week and planned to bring Harvey Construction into that discussion. He said staff will brief the superintendent after that meeting and return to the board with next steps. In the meantime, district guidance will limit field use to light movement activities such as gym-class movement and exclude organized sports until the remediation timeline is clearer.
What’s next: Staff will meet with the architect, state DOE and contractor; the district may start remediation work promptly and attempt to recover costs from the contractor. The board offered community advocacy options, including public pressure and a possible legal letter, to push contractors toward remediation.
