Concord manager proposes ARPA-funded feasibility study for Doug White artificial turf replacement

Town Manager Carrie Lafleur asked the Select Board on Nov. 4 to schedule a December agenda item to begin a public process on replacement options for the Doug White field, which is on school district land but maintained under a long-standing town agreement that does not obligate the town to replace the surface.

"The town is willing to sponsor a feasibility study and has committed up to $100,000 in ARPA funding to conduct a feasibility study to look at alternatives," Carrie said, noting the study would inventory options, costs, environmental and health impacts, and stakeholder roles. She said the friends group has set aside funds for replacement and that many community groups use the field.

Board members asked for existing assessment reports and older agreements to ground the discussion. One member urged staff to provide the annual third-party assessment of field condition so the board understands urgency. Carrie said the field is not on a replacement schedule that legally compels action and reiterated the proposed feasibility study is to surface options and costs.

Select Board members asked that the December agenda include: copies of maintenance and funding agreements with the school district and third-party inspection reports; estimates of existing replacement funds held by community groups; and a proposed public-engagement process. Carrie said staff will present a proposal for how the board and community can review alternatives at the first December meeting or, if needed, the Dec. 16 meeting.