August 03, 2017
Sprinturf's Email Forwarded to Town Officials & Press
NHASTI forwards Sprinturf's email to Town Officials and press... more to come...
August 02, 2017
Sprinturf's Attempt to Silence Us
Sprinturf requests (without any legal basis) that the link to the publicly available manual should be removed from the North Haven Against Synthetic Turf Infill (NHASTI) website. Request denied.
August 01, 2017
Expert Opinions
Letter about the dangers of crumb rubber Infill on Artificial Turf Fields (see attached) from Anne Hulick, Director, Connecticut Clean Water Action/Clean Water Fund Coordinator, Coalition for a Safe and Healthy CT, sent to BOE, BOS, MSBC
July 30, 2017
"Structure" Under Ground
Special Meeting of the Finance Sub-Committee of the Middle School Building Committee - special meeting agenda was not properly created ("other business" can't be on a special meeting agenda)
The Construction Manager noted that when they were grading the area of the fields they detected a buried “structure".
July 24, 2017
2nd Petition Delivered
2nd Petition opposing the crumb rubber infill with over 200 signatures is hand-delivered to BOS, BOE, MSBC
June 07, 2017
Special Meeting on Crumb Rubber
False information is provided by Sprinturf Salesman. No bid information about natural grass costs are discussed. Public input is denied.
Attorney Donofrio states that the BOE can vote to reverse the MSBC decision to purchase and install crumb rubber infill.
May 25, 2017
Concerned Citizens File Legal Petition
Concerned citizens file a legal petition citing a Connecticut General Statute and the Town Charter of North Haven. The petition only requires 20 signatures, but 54 registered voters turned out in the pouring rain to sign in just over 1 hour.
May 31, 2017
Board of Selectmen Silence Constituents
54 concerned citizens submitted a legal petition sighting CT General Statute Chapter 90, Section 7-1a calling for a Town Meeting (North Haven's form of government) to discuss openly the misconceptions about the fields. During the BoS meeting, First Selectman Mike Freda called for an illegal vote at that time. He also allowed the crowd to harass citizens at will. Don't take our word for it. Watch the video.
May 22, 2017
Contract Signed with Turf Vendor
Contract between Sprinturf and Gilbane were signed on May 22, though town officials have been claiming this contract was signed since April 4th.
May 22, 2017
North Haven Conservation Commission Releases Statement
North Haven Conservation Commission releases a statement advising for the postponement of synthetic turf fields with crumb rubber infill pending the publication of the federal study
May 17, 2017
Board of Finance Refuses to Cover Costs
Board of Finance refuses to cover the costs of MS Athletic Field Maintenance, making it a BOE line item (both the 200K annual maintenance costs and the 125K savings for replacement after 8 years)
May 15, 2017
MSBC Scope Change... Again
Middle School Building Committee meeting where it was decided that there would be no press box. Additional design work for accommodating football field size not approved by the MSBC, but rather by the contractor. Acknowledgement from the committee that this is not in accordance with protocol. $18k additional for the change to 2 football sized fields. Bleachers still in question.
Watch minutes 11-18 of the video. It's worth it.
May 11, 2017
May Board of Education Meeting
Board of Education meeting were again discussed. Cost of upkeep was discussed as well as safety. Also discussion around what could be done to stop the project at this point in time. No definitive answer was given. BoE chair wanted to have a meeting with the vendor. 10 residents gave public comment against the turf fields. 4 residents gave public comment for the turf fields. BoE chair stated there would be no additional public comment on the fields allowed. At least 1 additional resident wanted to speak out against the fields. MSDS sheet – Material Safety Data Sheet was not supplied to resident of North Haven from the vendor when requested.
April 24, 2017
MSBC Meeting - Public Comment Against Crumb Rubber
MSBC meeting during which committee member stated she regretted her affirmative vote due to safety concerns. She and an additional member voted NO for the appropriation of funds in the amount of $1,348,100. Public comment was made, but not noted in the minutes. 2 residents made public comments against the fields.
April 17, 2017
MSBC Still Discussing Field Plan
At the MSBC meeting Mr. Banks reminded the committee that DTC will need to complete drawings for one artificial and one natural turf, side by side fields as well as bleacher design, if necessary…. Indicating that the fields were not final and there was still discussion to be had.
April 06, 2017
BoE Informed of Crumb Rubber Decision
The Board of Education members were informed by the MSBC / BoE representative that there will be 2 turf fields and they might not be able to afford bleachers, depending on where the budget came in. He stated that the fields would be a “natural” product but could not give further specifics. 3 residents gave public comment that they would like to committee to reconsider the use of shredded tire infill on the turf fields.
April 04, 2017
Budget Public Meeting
Town Resident asked about re-appropriating funds from the turf fields to a much needed fire truck. Other resident speaks out about the dangers of crumb rubber.
April 03, 2017
The Only Actual Vote on Crumb Rubber
The MSBC voted to procure 2 encapsulated crumb rubber fields as part of the project. They used contingency money to do this and delayed planning for things like bleachers, irrigation, and a scoreboard until a later time. Finance committee noted it was risky. Building Committee chair said he was concerned they would need to send money back to the town.
March 20, 2017
MSBC Discusses Presentations
meeting reviewed presentations from vendors and discussed the difference in cooling ability pointed out at March 13th meeting.
March 13, 2017
Presentations from Turf Companies
MSBC meeting featured presentations from 2 turf companies. Interestingly, vendor not chosen called into question the cooling properties of Sprinturf’s cool fill product, noting that a 5 degree difference is all that should be expected according to their tests.
March 09, 2017
No Vote Yet - No Announcement of Vote
Board of Education minutes showed that no vendor had yet been selected for the Turf fields and that 3 quotes were being reviewed. In addition, the vote on the final number of fields hadn’t yet taken place. As of this time, the Board of Education and most members of the town were under the impression that there would be 1 artificial turf field, and 1 grass field.
March 06, 2017
First Bids Received
MSBC was shown three bids were received, Sprinturf, Applied Landscape/Shaw and Prograss. Types of infill material for the synthetic turf were discussed for fields A and B. Site work regarding lighting, bleachers and irrigation were discussed. On Monday March 13th the committee will meet with the two lowest turf bidders, Sprinturf and Applied Landscape/Shaw.
March 02, 2017
State Legislature Introduces a Bill Banning Crumb Rubber
State legislature introduces a bill to ban crumb rubber from playgrounds. The Courant runs a piece.
February 22, 2017
Bid Opening Announced
MSBC discusses that bids for the fields would be open at town hall on 2/24. Also noted bleacher and press box bids seemed to come in too low.
February 16, 2017
Architectural Designs - No Bid Yet
During a Board of Education meeting, MSBC member stated that the architect has re-designed the fields including bleachers, press box and scoreboard. There is also a bid going out on fields, specifically on the turf. No bid awarded at this time.
January 09, 2017
Design in Progress - Aiming to Complete November, 2017
MSBC discussed athletic fields would be completed in November of 2017. Designs still in progress. Additional discussion of the infill and associated costs took place.
November 28, 2016
MSBC Decides to Quote for 1 or 2 Turf Fields
MSBC meeting where it was decided to quote options for 1 and 2 turf fields. Additional $21,275 spent on revised design services from vendor.
November 22, 2016
Board of Education Special Workshop
NHASTI has not been able to identify any documentation or press releases aimed at the public to make the public aware of this special workshop on a topic they knew was controversial (presentation from Nancy Alderman, public comment on multiple occasions, and the NBC story that had run).
November 14, 2016
Packets Received by MSBC
MSBC packets on the additional services revision for the athletic fields and chose to hold off on discussing until after the BoE workshop.
November 10, 2016
Fields Discussed at BoE Meeting
Discussion of Hamden fields. Athletic director from Hamden estimated maintenance costs at $8-10k annually. Announced workshop November 22, 2016, at 6 p.m. NHASTI has not been able to locate a press release, or mention of this in the town paper.
October 13, 2016
Need for Discussion Identified
Board of Education identified a need for discussion on the turf identified and Anita Anderson stated she would like to meet with the MSBC to discuss.
October 03, 2016
MSBC Instructed to Start Considering Fields Again
Middle School Building Committee is told they need to start thinking about the fields again. No decision would be made, but they were getting closer to phase 4.
April 09, 2015
More Public Concern Over Crumb Rubber Fields
More public comment is submitted to the Board of Education around the use of crumb rubber in artificial turf fields without a meaningful response.
March 12, 2015
Presentation on the Dangers of Crumb Rubber Infill
Board of Education hosts Nancy Alderman as she gives a presentation about the dangers of artificial turf fields. Public comments were submitted both for and against turf fields. Nancy Alderman is a leading professional in her field and the founder of EHHI.
November 17, 2014
Bid Alternate List
MSBC discusses which items would be eligible to be bid as ‘bid alternates’, if the committee does not wish to remove the items from the design, at this point, but they were too expensive to budget at this time. Items such as the synthetic turf, field bleachers, field lighting, the running track, and auditorium equipment are among the items eligible to be bid as ‘add alternates’.
October 14, 2014
MSBC Discusses NBC Piece Cautioning the Use of Turf
It was noted that a news story that ran on NBC reporting on concerns about artificial turf fields. There was no correspondence from the public, so the committee moved on.
June 17, 2014
MSBC Referendum Passes
Verbiage on the referendum ballot states:
Shall the Town of North Haven appropriate 69,814,452 and authorize the issue of bonds and notes in the same amount for design and construction of a renovate as new academic addition project at the North Haven Middle School on town property at 55 Bailey Rd.
June 09, 2014
Opposition is Known and Discussed
MSBC discusses anti-turf public comment at June 5th Board of Selectman meeting. anti-turf public comment at June 5th Board of Selectman meeting.
May 22, 2014
New Haven Register Runs Article on MSBC Project
New Haven Register runs article on the project, speaking in vague terms about the upgrade to the fields, but not noting the makeup of said fields. No mention of synthetic turf.
March 24, 2014
Request for Additional Funds
MSBC request to add 3.5 million dollars to the proposed budget due to the turf fields. Original was 2 million, increase was to 5.5 million. Noted not all additional items were reimbursable by the state. Required BoE review of Ed Specs.
May 07, 2014
BoE Approves Ed Specs
Four BoE Memers spoke in favor of the artificial turf fields. One BoE member spoke against one field, offering to try to save $1MM by fixing the irrigation issues. Voted to add fields to ed specs, did not receive updated ed specs at this time. Ed specs included recommendation (not requirement) for artificial turf fields. NHASTI was unable to obtain a press release about this meeting and was unable to locate it in the historical paper archives.
May 12, 2014
Discussion of the Ed Specs at the MSBC Meeting
Middle School Building Committee discussed variances of slides presented to the Board of Education from previously approved slides as well as Ed Spec verbiage. Notes request for additional referendum question. Approved verbiage = “recommends artificial turf” not “requires artificial turf”. Discussed if it would be prudent to go back and request that the ed specs be updated so the MSBC would be covered.