Brighton schedules community forums after residents raise soil concerns at high‑school turf project

Brighton Central School District officials scheduled two community forums on April 22 after residents urged quicker, clearer communication about soil discovered during construction of a high‑school turf project.

Longtime Brighton resident Betsy Cox told the board the large mound behind her home was covered but the cover began detaching in recent winds and said a DEC representative told her the site should receive daily inspections. “It would be really appreciated if … you’re able to continue to preserve our safety as much as possible by doing that inspection,” Cox said, and she asked the district to hold a community meeting that included the DEC, town officials, school staff and neighbors.

Parent David Maer said he was “shocked” by details shared at an earlier meeting about elevated contamination and asked the board to publicize promised forums and explain how residents—especially those living along the field—would be reached. The board and superintendent said forums are set for April 22 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., and that the district will notify the public via email, school messages, the high‑school marquee, social media and a planned mailer to all residents.

Superintendent McGawan told the board that the project team anticipated historical fill at the site—glass, brick and other inert materials—and designed the job to excavate roughly 1,000 cubic yards of unsuitable soil and place new structural fill beneath the turf. He said pre‑construction geotechnical borings did not indicate contamination that would require additional mitigation, but that further testing during excavation revealed soil composition issues that warrant follow‑up. “We planned for historical fill but not for soils that contained anything other than inert materials,” McGawan said, adding the district is working with Terracon, SEI and state agencies to investigate and, if needed, mitigate.

The district said it will involve the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the state Department of Health as it works with environmental engineers to develop a plan. The superintendent emphasized that identifying and mitigating any previously unknown contamination through the current project would make the site safer in the long term.

Residents had also raised anecdotal health concerns: Cox said a neighbor’s dog was sick after recent contact with puddles near the field. The superintendent acknowledged that residents want clear, timely answers and committed to making information available at the April 22 forums and through a posted FAQ as the district continues testing and works with the agencies.

The forums will be an opportunity for residents to hear test results, ask technical questions of the engineers and state officials, and learn what safety steps the district will take. The district requested that residents who want more information or a group briefing contact central office; the April 22 sessions are intended to be the first public briefings on the findings and next steps.