Town considers artificial turf

#MiddleburyCT #Soccer #CTRushCentral #MeadowviewPark

This CT Rush Central graphic shows the orientation of the proposed artificial turf soccer field in Meadowview Park. It is situated with Lake Elise Cemetery to the left, Route 64 roughly parallel to the top, the playground to the right and the parking lot and current baseball field at the bottom. The proposed soccer field would be used by CT Rush and rented by others. (Submitted photo)

By MARJORIE NEEDHAM

Question 5 on the ballot for the May 7 referendum asks voters to approve the town “considering” entering a lease/licensing agreement with CT Rush Central for an artificial turf soccer field at Meadowview Park. The first we heard of the question was during the April 8 annual budget hearing when it was on a Power Point slide that followed presentation of the town budget and capital expenditures information.

At that time, the question was, “Shall the Town of Middlebury enter into a lease/license agreement with CT Rush Central for the installation of professional grade synthetic turf/appurtenances at Meadowview Park? No capital costs will be incurred by the Town of Middlebury.”

That question has since been replaced by the following: “Shall the Town of Middlebury consider entering into a Lease/License agreement with CT Rush Central for the installation of professional grade synthetic turf/appurtenances at Meadowview Park?”

During an April 10 presentation to the Middlebury Parks and Rec Commission, First Selectman Edward B. St. John handed out a brochure and a FAQs sheet prepared by CT Rush Central. The brochure included the diagram shown above with the short end of the field perpendicular to the Lake Elise cemetery side of the park. The field itself would be fenced and have LED lighting on 60-foot high poles for nighttime use. The adjoining baseball/softball field would be replaced with a grass soccer field.

The estimated cost for the field initially was $1.85 million. CT Rush Central executive John Salvatore said at an April 28 information session hosted by the Middlebury Parks and Rec Commission that the price has since increased to more than $2 million. Salvatore said CT Rush Central would pay for the artificial turf and the lights and would also maintain the field and replace the artificial turf as needed. The handout said CT Rush expected to pay a lender $100,000 down and finance the remaining cost over 10 years with a monthly payment estimated to be $23,000 (at 7% interest).

Per the FAQs sheet, residents would pay the market rate to use the field, but if they don’t like paying to rent it, they can have free access on non-booked hours. The pavilion would remain “its own area.” The sheet says parking and traffic will not differ from current parking and traffic. It also says CT Rush Central doesn’t anticipate much change to restroom usage.

Scrambling to provide information to residents before the May 7 referendum, the Parks and Rec Commission hosted the April 28 meeting with CT Rush present. Following a brief presentation by Rush, Chair Carolanne Browne opened the meeting to questions and comments.

First Selectman Edward B. St. John was present and outlined the terms he said would need to be in any lease the town entered with CT Rush. He said they would have to agree to maintain the field, pay for annual testing required by the state and get Planning and Zoning Commission approvals for hours of operation and lighting. He said he also wants to discuss revenue sharing with CT Rush, and noted Rush would have to provide a certificate of insurance listing the town as insured, likely for $2 million. There also would be a builder’s insurance policy during construction, and the contract would include opt-out procedures like mediation and arbitration, a time frame for completion and more. He said to Salvatore, “The lease has to be signed before you proceed.”

To all, he said, “I see this facility as something used extensively, not like natural turf.”

Residents who spoke for the most part either favored or were not opposed to the idea of having an artificial turf soccer field but had questions about the process and the fact that the field would be leased by a for-profit organization. Many had played soccer or had children who had played on the grass field and they noted how many matches had to be missed due to the weather’s effect on natural grass. They said artificial turf could be played on regardless of most conditions.

Diana Anton asked, “How can we vote on something we are learning about 10 days before the referendum?”

Jay Zalewski of Pomperaug Soccer Club, an all-volunteer group offering soccer to Middlebury and Southbury youth, asked what other sports could be played on the field. He asked for a realistic answer to what options would be available to others and how others would consistently use the fields. Salvatore said CT Rush needs to take of their membership first. Browne noted Ledgewood Park has a soccer field.

Salvatore said a fee would be charged for use of the turf field, but not for the grass field proposed to be next to it. Zalewski said perhaps the lease could allow a certain percent of use for nonprofits.

Salvatore stressed he wants to be a good citizen, but if you don’t write a check …

Dana Shepard asked if the town would get to vote on the lease before it is signed. Initially, town attorney Bob Smith said the selectmen can decide themselves or choose to refer it to a town meeting.

Chris McCarthy said his biggest concern is the selectmen proceeding without more input from residents. He said the lease should be fleshed out and then brought back to the voters.

Bill Stowell said this should not be handshake agreement and asked the Commission to commit to another public hearing once the proposed lease is finalized.

St. John observed there were lots of unanswered questions and said, if the question passes, the town will have another town meeting.