PUBLIC COMMENT:  RECREATION CENTER

John Taylor, Fales Avenue, described how he managed the Recreation department when he held the position of Recreation Director and promoted funding for an additional field (Sowams Road) that was badly needed.  He said that this proposal is a challenge since the schools are asking for funding for new construction.

Fred Hartwick, Great Road, explained that his children are very involved with sports.  He encouraged the efforts of all.  He said, while it is a challenge with the construction of schools we need to work differently but together to have a recreation center at the former Zion property.  If we erode the schools, we erode the town.  He said we need for the schools and town to work together and communicate and cooperate.  We are paying real money to other towns to use their facilities and a recreation center should be fully embraced.

Steven DeBoth, John Street, said that we are paying real money to other towns to use their facilities and a recreation center should be fully embraced.

Christina Glass, Houghton Street, echoed all the comments but we are at a disadvantage with outdoor fields when it rains and the sun sets.  She said she is in favor of a recreation center.

Scott Pickering, Bittersweet Court, said that he has five (5) children all playing sports and playing at other towns and spending a lot of money.  He said that we need to look at this recreation center more than just a youth center for more than just sports.  He encouraged that we all could use this as a community center for more than just sports.

Jacob Bulmar, Shore Lane agreed with Mr. Pickering. He and his family commute to other towns to play on their fields.  He said that this is an ambitious plan and loves the enthusiasm and exploration. 

Kate Weymouth, Alfred Drown Road, (former councilwoman) said she cautions the town with partnering with ShineHarmony but does feel that the former gym on the property may be the only structure big enough for this plan.

Steve Clements asked why this would be a separate entity outside of the schools.   We should be integrating with the schools not separating.

John Stafford, Strawberry Lane, (currently serving on the Committee on Appropriations) said we are currently lacking an ice rink.  We may want to partner with a nearby town – “modularity” – build a core and then slowly keep adding on with additional facilities.

Mark Etheridge, Bay Spring Avenue, said that the plan is good, but the bigger issue is with the multi-use and fundraising to obtain the facility with all the items that are needed (fields, bathrooms, equipment etc.).  He suggested building domes over our current fields.  He strongly urged that we need to work on local sports that need funding and is presently not equitable.

Scott David, Richmond Avenue, said that we do not invest in recreation – lack of summer camps and programs and the opportunity to employ students and retirees.

President Kustell said that we are having discussions with ShineHarmony and at some point, there will be a Master Plan for the property as the Town Council strongly respects the Planning Board.  He credited Vice President Humm bringing attention to the restrooms that was so desperately needed at our fields.

Councilwoman Berard agreed that summer recreation programs are needed.

Vice President Humm discussed his outline for SYNTHETIC FIELDS as presented in his PowerPoint – multipurpose, the desperate need for additional fields, a year-round playing field even in inclement weather with longer usage and the many benefits as well as the many concerns with health, safety environment and costs.

Vice President Humm discussed the many reports associated with synthetic fields and stressed that he has children and would not put any children in harm’s way.  He said that many of these reports show improvements over the years.  He discussed his findings with ivy league colleges as with other municipalities and spoke how he was impressed with Providence College and that they now have four (4) synthetic turf fields with positive impacts and able to increase their programming.  Vice President Humm said the PC offered this feedback: “PC has 4 turf fields, and has done 5 turf installations since the first one in 2005.  If our Sports Medicine staff had serious concerns about student-athlete welfare as it relates to turf fields it seems unlikely the college or our department would continue installing fields in this way.”  He said that there is new technology and material and currently Barrington athletes use the turf fields at Wheeler Schools.

PUBLIC COMMENT:  SYNTHETIC FIELDS

James Cabezas, Frederick Drive, said that we have three large items that is being discussed in our town:  housing which ties back into our schools which then ties back into our capacity for all recreational activities.  He said that our sports programs are growing and there are many benefits with a turf field, especially when you can add additional time and lights.  He said that our children our paying and playing at other community turf fields.

Eileen Small, Hunt Drive, said that she serves on the Conservation Committee but is speaking for herself.  She said that she is strongly opposed to a turf field.  She discussed the consensus of the community and the concern with flooding at Victory Field.  She questioned, “where does the material go when it is time to replace?”  She stressed that plastic does not degrade.  Ms. Small questioned where the research and reports are coming from. 

Chris Coleman, Foote Street, discussed the top schools have turf fields and the our town does not have a turf field.  He stressed that we are at a very competitive disadvantage with our fields as they are sometimes closed for days, and our competitors are practicing and playing on turf field. 

Scott Pickering, Bittersweet Court, interjected regarding field house – the high school graduation can take place if inclement weather.

Mr. Pickering discussed the turf fields and understood that there are concerns with turf but look at the top tier private schools who play on turf fields.  He discussed that many of these sports raise money to play on turf fields not to mention when our children leave town there is the risk of accidents on the way to the fields.  Mr. Pickering said that it is hard for the athletic director to manage time on our fields and especially in the Spring when the weather is unpredictable.

Jen Boylen (Representative 66) said, “Just because everyone else is doing it doesn’t make it right.”  She said that she is opposed to turf fields and wants us to continue to look at natural fields as additional fields.  She is concerned about the recycling of the turf materials and the chemicals in the environment as well as the risk of injuries.

Ms. Boylen said that we are the first town to ban plastic bags so why would we have plastic fields. 

Sara O’Brien, Boyce Avenue, echoed Ms. Boylen.  She said that we need to look at proper drainage and post when we spray.  She said that Boston has banned additional turf fields.  Ms. O’Brien discussed the dangers with PFAS (lubricant) as they are a pollutant.  We are a beach and waterfront community, and we need to be careful and concerned.  We all share our environment and our water.  She said she owns and manages a chiropractic practice and sees many injuries from turf fields.  She said we need to bring in experts to tell us what the resources are for real grass fields. 

TR Rimoshytus, Howard Street, said that he agrees, it is hard to recycle but read the 2021 ad hoc athletic field report. PFAS is everywhere!  The reports contain findings on natural turf fields as well.  He cautions that the school committee are in control of the fields.

Kate Weymouth, Alfred Drown Rd, said while artificial turf may solve some problems in the short term, we must look at the long-term effects on our children and the environment.  She discussed the flooding, beach erosion and recycling the turf field after only 8 years of use (there is no data on recycling turf).  She mentioned that Denmark does recycle and there maybe companies that recycle and repurpose but for the most part it ends up in our landfills.  She said that Barrington did pass the plastic bag ban and the polystyrene ban, and we are going to have artificial turf?

Mark Hurley said that he has worked on every turf field throughout New England.  He said that there have been many technological advancements from equipment to the actual turf itself.  He stressed that you are losing our athletes as they attend private schools who have turf fields.

Chris Lowe, New Meadow Road, our time is important, and we are driving to places that have turf fields that are always maintained and available.

Corrie Beth, Anthony Road, questioned the long-term effects.

Frank Calari, New Meadow Road, said that he manages turf fields and our strategic plan for the next 5 years is to add turf fields.  He said we spend approximately $200,000 a year to maintain.

Both Vice President Humm and Councilwoman Berard said that the comments were excellent and was pleased with the passion and respect that was given to those who commented.

Councilwoman Berard said she has concerns regarding the environment and worried about our flood plains.

Vice President Humm discussed that those who spoke have a concern for how are fields are presently maintained and questioned how we should add additional personnel to maintain our fields. 

Vice President Humm said that we have a dedicated field maintenance crew but we need to look at additional resources for DPW and for Parks & Recreation.

PUBLIC COMMENT:  FIELD MAINTENANCE

David Boyes, Washington Road, said that he is currently serving on the Conservation Committee and was a former DPW employee.  But, he said, that he is not a proponent for turf fields and that one turf field cannot service the entire town.  He agreed that the needs of Parks & Recreation need to be addressed.

John Taylor, Fales Avenue, said that the turf field has the same tone as it has been for years – you haven’t won the debate.  He suggested to bring in consultants, add a full-time recreation director.  He said that our children are literally playing on dumps.  He questioned, can’t some be refurbished with corrective drainage?  He said that the school department is the challenge as well as addional resources and employees.

Steven DeBoth, John Street, asked about the cell tower revenue – isn’t the revenue to go to field maintenance?  Discussion ensued regarding a name change to the Field Maintenance Fund to Parks and Trails – how do we track the revenue?

President Kustell announced that on the website you can email the council with questions (Home page-click on the green button “Report A Concern” or go to Government – Town Council – each members has an email listed or at the bottom of the page “Contact Town Council” and fill in the form.).

John Stafford, Strawberry Lane, said that field maintenance is not a solution and we must start again and rip up the fields, add experts on field maintenance with the DPW Department and bring in consultants.

Jen Boylan suggested to bring in a consultant that specializes in natural organic grass fields and provide recommendations to develop a plan – add a “Natural Grass Advisory Group”.

Domenic Denham (former member of the Ad hoc Athletic Fields Committee) said that there just is not enough fields in this town to maintain and rest.  He does not recommend that artificial turf go on Victory Field - flooding in the Lincoln Avenue area - but did suggest building an artificial turf field to help “rest” our existing fields. 

Scott Pickering, Bittersweet Court, asked for clarification on the cell tower revenue, it does not reference under Town Council revenue.  He discussed that it was a missed opportunity with the Barrington Middle School not to build a turf field.  He said look at the high school – no bathrooms, no seating, poor conditions.  He suggested to look at St. Andrews with their facilities since they are not paying any taxes with the number of buildings and land that they have.  Disappointed that this meeting is not recorded (audio recording found on website under Town Council) and that two (2) council members are not present. He said that we have stable schools, it is a family community, but we need to invest additional facilities.

Christine Glass said that we need to move aggressively but with caution.

Mac Dolan, Bradford Street, said that experts are expensive, but our baseline is not good, and we need so much more maintenance.  He said that the Middle School is in play, but it currently is not a good field.  He said that everyone will benefit with a field house.

TR Rimoshytus said that over the years DPW has increased their staff with four (4) additional staff members but soon will be short staffed with upcoming retirements.  He said that there are over 40 acres of grass to cut, it costs approximately $40,000-50,000 a year to manage fields and he believes that with the addition of a turf field it will relieve the stress on our natural fields as they will be able to rest. 

President Kustell stated that he learned a lot with this workshop, but we are still exploring.

Councilwoman Berard said that she feels that the discussion on maintenance was exciting and does not feel that this is “kicking the can down the road”.  But we do need to explore natural fields we don’t want to miss any opportunity.

Vice President Humm said that recreational activities help with the impact on our community regarding mental health and wellness.  We are past the time “kicking the can down the road” and that is why we have an aggressive timeline.

Vice President Humm thanked all those that came and asked that everyone spread the word for the next workshop.  He said that this is a standing action item on the regular Council agenda.

ADJOURN

Motion by Vice President Humm motioned seconded by Councilwoman Berard to adjourn the meeting at 9:10pm.

________________________

Meredith J. DeSisto, CMC

Barrington Town Clerk