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Residents urge Barrington School Committee to abandon artificial turf plan at Victory Field; committee discusses MOU with town on field fees
Summary
Residents told the Barrington School Committee that artificial turf at Victory Field risks PFAS and microplastic contamination, safety and future disposal costs; committee members flagged the town—s role in field fees and said an MOU with DPW will be considered by the town council in January.
Multiple community speakers used the public-comment period to urge the Barrington School Committee to reconsider plans to install artificial turf at Victory Field.
An unanamed commenter raised environmental and health concerns tied to plastics and microplastics, arguing artificial turf contributes hazardous chemicals and long-term contamination and that disposal options are limited. The speaker urged the committee to follow recommendations in the fields analysis report and to invest instead in natural grass alternatives.
Addie Small, a member of the town—s Conservation Commission, told the committee she opposed the district—s plan for Victory Field because the site is in a flood plain and runoff could carry PFAS and microplastics into nearby marshes and waterways. She warned installation and disposal costs could exceed a million dollars over the lifecycle of turf fields and said reserve funds designated for emergency repairs should not be used for turf purchases without full public disclosure. "Please ask manufacturers and salespeople to give you a list of where artificial turf is being recycled in this country," Small said, and requested the committee share vendor recycling and cost information with Barrington taxpayers before signing any contracts.
During committee business members discussed coordination with the town council and DPW on synthetic turf field fees and maintenance responsibilities. Counsel reported the MOU the committee submitted to the town council would be considered at the council—s January meeting. Committee members flagged apparent opacity in town-collected fees for field maintenance and asked staff to clarify whether the town is collecting fees while the school budget is paying certain maintenance costs, calling for clearer accounting between town and schools.
No final vote on the turf installation was recorded at the meeting; the public comment and the MOU discussion were recorded to inform future agenda items and budgeting discussions.
