The Programs and Services Committee voted to hold the following (see Report and watch the video on NewTV):
- Request for a discussion with the Commissioner of Parks, Recreation, and Culture about the maintenance plan for our parks, recreation, and culture resources, including recreational fields. This discussion should include an articulation of how additional funds based upon a budget increase and newly collected user group field fees in the upcoming fiscal year will be utilized. Time permitting, the discussion should also include a description of the capital projects on recreational fields that the department intends to complete in the upcoming fiscal year.
Parks, Recreation, and Culture staff provided an overview of what the Department and the City has done to improve the quality and increase the number of athletic fields, referencing a 2020 petition from the Newton Athletic Fields Foundation, and presented this PowerPoint regarding the Department’s Comprehensive Plan to address fields and maintenance. The Department did not have a number to provide in response to questions regarding field maintenance budgets and how many fields are not being served under those budgets, but the Commissioner did state that the operating budget does not include fees. With regard to artificial turf fields, the Commissioner stated “Newton has fewer synthetic turf fields and over double the number of students per synthetic turf field than surrounding communities.” With regard to new field space, the Department is looking for ways to maximize field use and Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Yeo said, “the City is willing to purchase new land for field space if necessary.”
The Programs and Services Committee voted No Action Necessary on the following:
- Citizens petition pursuant to Article 10, Sec. 10-2 of the City of Newton Charter, for the City Council to pass a measure postponing any immediate action for new or replacement artificial turf anywhere in Newton pending the completion, public presentation, and public hearing for the following: a comprehensive study of demand for playing fields and adequacy of field scheduling system; incorporating health and medical guidelines for physical activity on artificial turf into the definition of playability; development of sustainable and organic management plan for existing and future natural grass playing fields and comparative analysis by independent researchers of the total cost of natural grass fields versus artificial turf.
There were approximately 60 participants in the Zoom meeting. There were 15 people who spoke in favor of the petition, raising health and safety concerns, the danger of forever chemicals, that artificial turf cannot be recycled, and the need for a better field management plan. Among those testifying along these lines include Melissa Brown, parent of a NSHS athlete, co-founder of Protect Newton Trees and Trees as a Public Good Network, and Steering Committee member of Our Revolution MA Climate Crisis Working Group; Dr. Brita Lundberg, Chair of Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility; Lisa Goodwin Robbins, Chair of Board of Silent Spring; Dr. Kyla Bennett, Director and Director of Science Policy of New England’s Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER); Laura Spark, Senior Policy Advocate for Clean Water Action; Ellie Goldberg, environmental health policy advocate; Martina Jackson, former Chair of the Newton Democratic City Committee and member of the Climate Crisis Subcommittee; Claudette Beit-Aharon; Susan Mirsky; and Julia Wolfe, three former Newton City Councilors, Ted Hess-Mahan, Barbara Brousal-Glaser, Amy Sangiolo, and former Newton Girls Soccer Fields Director Ralph Ranalli. Newton South teacher Andrew Thompson urged the Committee to look at all issues but in particular the concerning issue of hazards of artificial turf.
There were 9 people who testified mostly against the petition, some recognizing the concerns of using artificial turf but stating that grass only was not feasible, the socio-economic need for synthetic turf fields in providing adequate field space, constraints of grass fields due to weather, difficulties in security field space and the possibility that smaller programs may close, and that there is movement away from the use of crumb-rubber fields. Among those testifying along these lines include former City Councilor and current Parks and Recreation Commissioner and Newton Historical Commissioner John Rice; Melissa Dietrich; Barry Elliot, Newton Girls Soccer; Parks and Recreation Commissioner and former Newton North Vice Principal and Williams Elementary Principal Midge Connolly; Reese Genser; David Belfort; David Teszler; and Burt Kanovsky, head of Newton Ultimate Frisbee.
There was some discussion on whether the petitioner’s request would or could impact the Newton South Turf Replacement project, concern about adding turf fields, and a consensus to docket a new item requesting the studies mentioned in the petition.
