Planning Board rejects application for synthetic turf field in Burrillville

BURRILLVILLE – Planning Board members voted on Monday to reject an application for installation of artificial turf at Burrillville High School’s Gledhill Field, leaving unclear the future of a project where construction is already well underway.

The vote comes following a lawsuit launched by resident Roberta Lacey challenging the town’s effort to renovate the school’s athletic facilities in a project slated to include installation of a synthetic surface by FieldTurf USA Inc. Work, including excavation of the old field began last year, but was halted in September by the litigation.

Last week, Associate Justice Melissa Darigan issued a decision that was mostly favorable to the town’s effort, ruling that Lacey had failed to prove that chemicals from the turf could pose an imminent threat to her drinking water. Darigan did note, however, that Lacey was correct in her contention that the project should have gone before the Burrillville Planning Board as the field is located in an aquifer overlay zone.

Town officials had submitted a planning application earlier this year following months of litigation, stating they hoped to address one potential barrier to the project prior to a ruling.

And so on Monday, April 28, the Planning Board held a public hearing with intent to vote on the combined master/preliminary application of a project that had already begun. Planners would need to decide if the proposal aligned with zoning and land use regulations, the town’s code of ordinances and the comprehensive plan.

“The applicant – the town of Burrillville – did a lot of legwork for this application,” said Anthony DeSisto, an attorney representing the town at the meeting.

Engineer Joe Casali presented designs reflecting new bleachers, lighting, a concession stand, a ticket booth, parking, restrooms, a press box and more, noting that the town has already received the required permits from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.

But Karen Browning, one Lacey’s attorneys, noted that peer review of an initial design brought out 30 items of concern – an issue that had led to delay in the Planning Board hearing, originally scheduled for April 7. Browning said that while some adjustments were made, the town responded that 20 of the flagged issues in the peer review were not relevant.

“We disagree,” said Browning, listing what she said were additional problems with the plan, including use of incorrect setback requirements. “This board and my client need the correct setbacks. There are several things missing from this application.”

“Review was not sought prior to the initiation of development,” added Browning. “Lack of compliance appears to be clear.”

Browning was among around 100 attendees at the hearing, with many citing concerns that PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances from the turf could pose a health risk. Town officials, meanwhile, have pointed to extensive testing conducted last year that concluded that the trace amount of chemicals found in field materials do not pose a threat to public health.

For the next hour, planners would hear testimony opposing the project from more than a dozen residents.

Adam Schatz pointed out that with the old field already ripped up, the planning process was backwards.

“It’s absolutely destroyed,” said Schatz of the facilities. “It sets a really dangerous precedence. Allowing this after the fact approval sends the wrong message: that rules can be ignored if the Town Council decides it’s inconvenient. Planning should guide development, not justify it after the fact.”

Planner Bruce Ferreira, who would later lead the vote to reject the proposal, cited similar issues.

“I’m not exactly happy with the way the procedure went on this,” said Ferreira. “We got skipped over.”

“I’m not against the stadium idea, but I would like more information on the turf field,” Ferreira added.

DeSisto said that the project was merely an improvement to an existing non-conforming use.

“This has been there for a long time, and now it’s being changed to update it for the 21st century,” he said.

In terms of the town’s comprehensive plan, DeSisto pointed to recreation opportunities and improvements to existing town assets.

“This is the reuse of an existing field,” he said. “This is going to serve a wide array of students and kids in this town. This is a good community facility. This is going to be state of the art – good for the Broncos.”

“I can see how it aligns with the comprehensive plan,” agreed Planning Board Chairman Stephen Foy.

Planner Dov Pick, however, said he had concerns about the drainage system with the field’s proximity to the Clear River.

“You don’t know how much impact a huge storm could potentially have,” said Pick. “While I don’t believe there is an ordinance in town regarding PFAS, we certainly account for hazardous material. PFAS is a manmade synthetic.”

Pick pointed to past catastrophes involving the town’s drinking water, such as the contamination in Oakland village several years ago that was caused by firefighting foam.  

“Even if there is the slightest remote chance that something would happen again to the water, how can we as public officials put the public back at risk?” Pick asked.

Pick noted that several residents have pointed to the option of installing a traditional grass field.

“I don’t know if that’s on the table,” he said.

Town Planner Ray Goff noted that the board could only rule on what was currently before them, or request more information.

Foy made motions first to approve application and later to continue the hearing, which both died for lack of a second.

Ferriera followed with a motion to reject the plan, which was seconded by Planner Leo Felice. Planners Pick, Michael Lupis and Ken Raspallo joined the pair, with Foy and Planner Joshua Razee casting dissent, for a final vote of 5-2.

Town Manager Michael Wood said he plans to issue a detailed response in reaction to the decision sometime next week.

“Suffice it to say, the damages are substantial,” Wood said of the vote.

A full video of the hearing can be found on resident Norman Desjarlais’s Facebook page here.

Editor’s note: An original version of this article did not include Planner Leo Felice and stated that the vote was 4-2. We apologize for the error.