Artificial Turf Plan For Rockville High School Headed To A Vote

VERNON, CT — A plan to replace the natural grass surface with artificial turf at the Rockville High School stadium is back on the table, this time with a cash option that could pave the way for summer construction. A new track and field surface is also included in the plan.

The Vernon Town Council, in a 9-2 vote, decided to send the plan to a town meeting scheduled for April 20 at 7:30 p.m. Drive-up voting will commence at town hall after a comment period.

Voting against the measure were council members Thomas Didio and Maryanne Levesque.

If voters approve the field proposal, construction could commence over the summer, Town Administrator Michael Purcaro said.

The total cost of the complex is $1,549,171. The current proposal to pay for the complex with available cash replaces a plan to lease the field before buying it outright that was scrapped during the previous budget cycle.

Both Purcaro and Superintendent of Schools Joseph Macary said the cash option is more feasible because the money is available.

The bills would be paid in two parts, Purcaro said. A total of $1,129,462 would be taken out of the capital non-recurring fund for education for a Field Turf surface and maintenance plan, Purcaro said.

The balance — $419,709 for a new track and field surface — will come from the general fund.

The aging track complex is overdue for resurfacing, Macary said.

"A lot of people use the track and it's time," he said. "It's not only for the students, but the entire town."

When the plan was first proposed, Macary said are artificial surface would add 30 to 35 days of usage to the complex because of fewer drainage and weather-related issues.

Macary said permanent lines for football and soccer would part of the field. Lacrosse lines would be painted on seasonally, he added.

Didio explained his reasoning for the no vote in a email to Patch:

"As a Town Council, we have a fiduciary responsibility to the citizens be sure as much information as possible is presented. This includes installation costs, ongoing maintenance costs and disposal cost after the turf has run its useful life. None of this information was provided.

"There are definite safety considerations to be examined. Nothing was provided.

"All of this information is vital for us to make an informed decision. If more information is needed for the public we should be able to ask those questions. We were asked to rubber stamp a $1.5 million dollar project. In good conscience, I was unable to do that. I argued vigorously that we be provided with information for all of us to consider prior to recommending this project go before a public meeting.

"Clearly the others on the Council felt that it was OK shirk their responsibilities to the public. They will argue that the public should decide. I have no problem with that but we, as a Council (then the public), must not make a decision based solely on someone’s say so. I call upon the superintendent to release as much information as possible so the we can make an informed decision."