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Town of Arlington, Massachusetts
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Article 12 | | | |
| | | | | | | | Warrant Article Title:
VOTE/THREE-YEAR MORATORIUM ON THE INSTALLATION OF ARTIFICIAL TURF ON TOWN LAND | | | |
| | | | | | | | Warrant Article Text:To see if the Town will vote to adopt a moratorium by bylaw or otherwise, on the construction or installation of any artificial or synthetic turf on any land owned by the Town for a three-year period beginning on May 1, 2023 and ending on May 1, 2026 to allow futher study of the cost effectiveness, safety, environmental impact; and further to establish a study group to conduct such study, and set forth the membership of same; or take any action related thereto. | | | |
| | | | | | | | Requested by:(Inserted at the request of Beth Melofchik and ten registered voters) | | | |
| | | | | | | | Report Excerpt:(5 - 0)
The Board values the concerns raised by the proponents of this article. However, the Board strongly recommends no action for three principal reasons. First, the Conservation Commission and Board of Health are the appropriate jurisdictions to assess environmental and human health impacts of artificial turf fields respectively. Second, there are significant impacts of prohibiting artificial turf on the Town’s over-utilized playing fields, which often results in the Town’s youth and adult patrons alike traveling to play on artificial turf in neighboring cities and towns. Third, the only Town field likely to be considered for artificial turf – Poet’s Corner – sits on top of an uncapped landfill and is often unusable in its current state. Given the proximity of Poet’s Corner to wetlands, any future artificial turf field installation by the Town would likely require review by the Conservation Commission and be subject to appropriation of Town Meeting.
Additionally, the Board acknowledges present debates about PFAS material components within artificial turf, including recent developments wherein the United States Environmental Protection Agency proposed to categorically regulate PFAS materials (as opposed to individual PFAS compounds). However, the Board also respectfully submits that there is not the same broad scientific or regulatory consensus on risk, particularly with respect to what levels of exposure pose risks to human health, that we have held in other circumstances where local regulations have been at the vanguard. Indeed, while the proponents noted artificial turf moratoriums of varying scope in Boston, Concord, Sharon, Wayland, Martha’s Vineyard, and Belmont, artificial turf fields continue to be used and constructed in Somerville, Winchester, Medford, and many other communities. Moreover, the individualized circumstances of such communities, such as artificial turf’s potentially more acute impact on communities with well water, bear consideration.
In summary, it is important to acknowledge that artificial turf fields have meaningful advantages to the community of field users, particularly given the environmental conditions present in several locations; that the potential risks of artificial fields are not agreed upon; and any future decision regarding future artificial turf fields in Arlington may only be made with significant review opportunities by both bodies of competent jurisdiction and Town Meeting. Accordingly, the Select Board does not believe a blanket moratorium on artificial turf in Arlington is merited at this time. | | | |
| | | | | | | | Vote Language:
That no action be taken under Article 12. | | | |
| | | | | | | | Additional Materials:Select Board Report
Memo from Town Manager re Belmont Hill
Memo from Moderator re dividing motions
Substitute Motion, Beth Melofchik, Precinct 9
Substitute Motion, Gene Benson, P10; Susan Stamps, P3
Amendment, Sanjay Vakil, Precinct 12
Amendment, Andrew Greenspon, Precinct 5
Amendment, Paul Schlichtman, Precinct 9
Amendment, Janice Pagliasotti, Precinct 8
Amendment 1, Greg Dennis, Precinct 1
Amendment 2, Greg Dennis, Precinct 1
Moderator's Composite of Melofchik Amendments
Turf Committee Proposal, Town Manager
Flow Chart of Votes on Motions, Sanjay Newton, Precinct 10
Chart of Committee Composition, Linda Hanson, Precinct 9
Main Motion divided into Part A and B (From Benson-Stamps Substitute Motion)
Letter from the Park & Recreation Commission
Statement from the Board of Health
Presentation, Gene Benson TMM10 and Susan Stamps TMM3
Information Sheet, Gene Benson TMM10 and Susan Stamps TMM3
AHS Rebuild - Order of Conditions per Conservation Commission, Gordon Jamieson, Precinct 12
Submitted by Jordan Weinstein, Precinct 21
Submitted by Robin Bergman, Precinct 12
Letter from Greg Dennis, Precinct 1
Letter from Christa Kelleher, Precinct 5
Letter from Shaw Industries submitted by Larry Slotnick, Precinct 7
Submitted by Beth Melofchik, Precinct 9
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