Many residents in Freeport, Pownal and Durham maintain the following core concerns re: the proposed Tri-Town Track & Field Project, as currently proposed:
Replacement of natural green space with artificial material is incongruent with demonstrated Freeport town values that bans polystyrene, single-use plastic bags and limits engine idling.
A member of the projects’ health and safety committee, recently stated in the Portland Press Herald: “To the best of our knowledge, at this time there is no question that this product has raised any health concerns, and has been used in footwear for a long time.”
As NikeGrind remains, at this time, relatively new to market, should we not insist on more extensive and conclusive testing BEFORE subjecting our children and the community to extended exposure (inhalation, ingestion and bodily contact)?
Removal of natural green space displaces natural ecology (birds, bees, plant life).
Since the NFL has begun to consider players' health, the number of NFL artificial turf fields has gone from 50% to 30%. US soccer teams refuse to play on artificial turf.
The proposed and highly promoted expanded use of fields will be highly disruptive to our neighbors who reside adjacent to the school. Increased activity will negatively impact neighborhood with increased traffic, noise and trespassing - particularly to residences abutting the fields.
Current estimated costs do not include ancillaries such as bleachers and lights; long term costs re: upkeep and field replacement remain unclear. Note that this project has been voted down by voters in the district, three times.
Does the Tri-Town Track and Field project plan, in its current state, align with sustainable Freeport values?
Should our children and community be exposed to artificial materials that warrant further testing to ensure health safety from long term exposure?
Do we TRULY know enough about all of the associated financial and health risks?
LAST CHANCE to get letters in to the editor. Please write and express your personal reasons why you strongly oppose an artificial turf solution that has not been adequately tested, to be installed in our community.
- Forecaster by noon MONDAY to editor@theforecaster.net
- Times Record to letters@timesrecord.com
- Portland Press Herald to letterstotheeditor@pressherald.com
WHEN AND WHERE CAN I VOTE?
Absentee ballots available NOW **due on 1/5**
On Tuesday, January 10 in:
- Durham: Durham Community School, 654 Hallowell Road
- Freeport: Freeport Town Hall, 30 Main Street
- Pownal: Mallett Hall, 429 Hallowell Road
Additional reference:
Our kids deserve the best we can offer in terms of education, resources and support. Freeport, Durham and Pownal communities recognize the value in long needed updates and upgrades to Freeport High School.
However, many in our communities do not believe that the current Tri-Town Track & Field project plan, as positioned, packaged and promoted is truly the best we can offer. If there is even a 1% chance that synthetic fields present a significant health risk, do we not owe it to our children and the community to insist on extended and more conclusive testing?
What if our community chose to be the only B class school in southern Maine with a state-of-the-art, non-toxic athletic facility? Would that not be more aligned with our core values?
Credits:
Created with images by joachimvonkienitz - "grass carpet artificial turf grass"