Brighton school board approves Phase 2 construction bids amid neighborhood concerns about synthetic turf

Neighbors pressed the Brighton Central School District Board of Education on Nov. 18 over the planned expansion and resurfacing of athletic fields, especially the district’s recommendation to install synthetic turf.

Public commenters raised three recurring concerns: lack of direct notice to nearby property owners, the proximity of turf to private backyards, and health and environmental risks linked to turf infill and PFAS. Mark Diggory told the board that, "the artificial turf boundary appears to be within 30 feet of ours and our neighbor's property lines," and asked the district to commission "independent third party testing for contaminants relevant to New York State regulatory updates." Dr. Victoria Love said voters in 2023 likely lacked full information about the scope of field redesigns and warned that synthetic turf "is a surface known to shed microplastics, contain PFAS forever chemicals, and reach dangerously high temperatures." David Mazer, an environmental advocate with Environment America, urged the board to table turf decisions and said national experts offered to advise the district.

Deputy Superintendent Lou Alaimo responded with project background and the district’s rationale. He said the referendum materials and the district’s environmental review (referred to in the transcript as the "SEEKER" review) contemplated synthetic turf and that the design evolved from conceptual pre‑referendum sketches to a detailed site design that optimizes program use and responds to stormwater and site constraints. Alaimo acknowledged community concerns about PFAS and said the district had reviewed supplier materials provided by ATurf and their supplier Ecor Athletic but emphasized those were supplier tests, not district testing: "these were... provided by ATURF and provided by their suppliers." He also noted pending state legislative proposals regarding turf fields that were, in his words, "in committee" and without cosponsors at the time of the meeting.

After questions about alternatives, lighting, and timing, the board voted to approve the construction bids for the 2023–24 Phase 2 project, which includes site work at Brighton High School, the middle school and French Road Elementary and an alternate bid for the synthetic turf provider. The board moved (by Karen), seconded (by Clayton), and approved the motion by voice vote. Lou Alaimo said that after award the district will execute contracts, review material submittals with architects and engineers, and monitor compliance with any regulatory developments; he estimated turf installation would likely be earliest in summer or fall 2026.

The meeting record shows the district intends to provide public project materials and supplier specification sheets online and to continue community engagement as permitting and construction steps proceed. Neighbors who spoke asked for a separate, well-publicized forum, independent contaminant testing, and greater setback consideration; Lou Alaimo said the district would continue to respond to community concerns and to coordinate with state agencies as rules evolve.