HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/02/2025 - Melinda Perrone Letter April 2, 2025
Melinda S. Perrone, 65 Meadowood Road
North Andover, MA 01845
RE: North Andover Planning Board Meeting April 1, 2025—Continued Public Hearing
430 Osgood Street— North Andover Public Schools
Writing as an advocate for the North Andover Baseball and Softball teams, as a taxpayer and
concerned citizen for the protection of Cochichewick Brook, please allow me to express sincere
appreciation to Assistant Town Manager Ms. Laurie Burzlaff, NAHS Athletic Director Mr. Steve
Nugent, North Andover High School (NAHS) Mr. Todd Dulin, Coaches, Administrative Staff and
Faculty. May I also show full respect to the North Andover Planning Board, and Jean Enright,
Director of Planning.
With gratitude to Gale Associate's Inc. for their adjusted plan: a solid wetland buffer, pivoted
baseball field & altered access drive for protection of vegetative wetlands.
The plan is attractive and functional.
Great athletic teams succeed when players respect the game, coaches and fellow players.
Successful coaches support their players by providing a safe, fair and enjoyable environment.
Parents, administrators and taxpayers support young athletes through game attendance and by
modeling wise choices.
I defer to the assessments of Mr. Steve Nugent, Coach Todd Dulin and other NAHS baseball and
softball coaches regarding synthetic turf vs natural grass fields as better/best playing surfaces.
The focus of this document is the potential impact of our present choice on tomorrow's
environment. As a community of tax payers, it is our obligation to invest a bit more now to
avoid crushing future expenses. This project, with more information than ever before regarding
heat islands, carbon sequestration, oxygen release, soil biodiversity, per- poly-fluoroalkyl
substances (PFAS) and 6ppd- quinones brings us to a difficult decision. As science evolves, the
full implication of our decisions will be revealed. Certain, however, is the likelihood of this
project to having long-term, and possibly negative impacts on our school campus and its
watershed.
Support for education and growth of young athletes need not compromise the environment.
We teach our students to say, "No," to excesses in life and so the Town of North Andover is
obligated to say, "No," to excess temperatures, deleterious surfaces and the loss of biodiversity
upon NAHS campus.
Regarding Cochichewick Brook, the microclimate of the NAHS Campus is likely to be the
microclimate of the Brook.
1
Acknowledged Condition of NAHS Baseball Field
It is immensely clear that NAHS baseball and softball teams need new fields. Doing nothing is
NOT an option. Teachers and staff at NAHS should NOT have to neglect other duties to
maintain these fields any fields project approval should include budget line items TO MAINTAIN
THE FIELDS FOR THE LIFETIME OF THE FIELDS. Perhaps a lifetime of 10 years or 20.
August 18t" - November, 2022 Gale Associates Final North Andover Fields Master Plan
(FNAFMP) gathered the following assessments'
Steven Nugent, Athletic Director at North Andover High School:
This field might be the worst field in North Andover. Aside from the infield for the
baseball diamond, there is no irrigation. When there is grass there is a haven for Geese
and the field is absolutely disgusting. The field is uneven and has many spots where the
drainage could be significantly improved. (FNAFMP.pdf, p. 113)
Todd Dulin, NAHS Varsity Baseball Coach:
The outfield soil is garbage and there is a highwater table; flooding renders the baseball
field unusable, and pumps are needed to make the field playable.
...no stated objection to a synthetic turf baseball field, but with a natural clay pitcher's
mound. (FNAFMP.pdf) p.121-122)
Environmental Costs of Additional Synthetic Turf Fields at NAHS:
Significant Soil Removal from NAHS Campus
"Any large-scale replacement/renovation of fields may involve the excavation, removal or
stripping of large amounts of earth, in which case permitting through local Zoning Board may
be required. For reference, the installation of a regulation-size, multi-purpose, rectangular,
synthetic turf field would involve the removal of approximately 2500 cubic yards of soil."
(FNAFMP.pdf pg. 6)
Assuming a "regulation-size field is equivalent to a 1.3acre football field, we can double the
value to 5000 cubic yards of soil for our 3.4acre project.
"Dump trucks can usually carry about 10 to 14 cubic yards of dirt." (lynchtruckcenter.com)
"Typically, a 1 cubic yard of dirt is equal to 2000lbs. or 1 ton of dirt." (dirtconnections.com)
Therefore, the new synthetic turf field project requires the removal of approximately 357 -
500 dump-truck loads of dirt or 5000 tons (10 million pounds) of dirt.
2
Stripping top soil from land is not new in Massachusetts but the amount of soil in this location
is of great concern2.
The lasting effects of topsoil removal can be seen in North Andover. A drive the end of the
ominously long & straight Sharpner's Pond Road leads to the ill-fated Sentinel Anti-Ballistic
Missile Defense System site at Boxford State Forest. "The reduction of 40 acres of woodland to
gravel." (FONAT: A Guide to North Andover Trails, p.60) , stunted pine growth and rocky paths
give an off-world feeling to visitors.
Middleton's Pike Messenger explains:
What does topsoil, tiny rocks darkened with organic matter inhabited by small
microorganisms and roots....do...? Soil cleans up polluted water and does so effectively.
The sand particles provide enormous surface areas; interstitial labyrinths, walls coated
with hungry bacteria, millions per cubic centimeter. These are alive so require food and
water... They digest our wastes and even our unnatural manmade organic compounds.
The breakdown products are largely carbon dioxide and water. The cleansed water
percolates down into the groundwater and makes its way to our streams. (Messenger,
Pike: The Water Closet p. 173)
This project results in a TOTAL acreage of land, between the NAHS building and Cochichewick
Brook, entirely of synthetic turf(absent of topsoil) and hardscape (impervious surface). The
campus acreage below is calculated through the Massachusetts Interactive Property
Map,Mass.gov):
Non-organic Surfaces on North Andover High School Campus
Synthetic Turf Brookside:
Walsh Stadium: 2.8 Acres
New baseball/softball/soccer: 3.4 Acres
Subtotal: 5.2 Acres
Synthetic Turf North of NAHS:
Upper Track-enclosed synthetic turf: 1.9 Acres
Total synthetic turf: 7.1 Acres
IMPERVIOUS surfaces on the NAHS Campus:
North Andover High School Buildings: 3.9 Acres
Upper Parking Lot and Drive: 2.5 Acres
Lower Parking Lot: 3.7 Acres
Wayne Drive (vehicle entry way): 0.8 Acres
Tennis Courts: 0.6 Acres
Total Impervious Surfaces: 11.5 Acres
3
Total non-organic acreage: 18.6 Acres
The result: a lack of carbon sink, lack of oxygen production, lost biodiversity& lost natural
cooling capacity in 18.6 (45%) of the total 41.0 Acres if the NAHS campus.
Because synthetic turf is understood to intensify summer temperatures 2-3 feet above its own
surface,to 130° F of even 140°F, NAHS campus temperatures increase with each installation of
synthetic turf. Slightly more than one-half(55%) of campus will contribute to the job of cooling.
Players, coaches, fans and the environment will all suffer.
This property of synthetic turf was clearly noted at the February 25, 2025 Massachusetts
Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC) Presentation on Permitting Synthetic Turf
Fields in Massachusetts
(cdn.ymaws.com/www.maccweb.org/resource/resmgr/lunch_&_learn_docs/macc_permitting_
artificial_t.pdf).
Role of Cochichewick Brook Nearby NAHS
Cochichewick Brook is a mature stream, estimated to be 10,000 years old. It nurtured ancient
native peoples and colonial community. The Brook powered Scholfield, Sutton, North Andover
& Osgood Mills, as well as Stevens Mill... all of which enriched North Andover citizens. Davis &
Furber Machine Shop took the power of Cochichewick Brook and created machine parts,
leading other communities to prosperity.
Synthetic Turf and its associated crumb rubber will exert detrimental effects on Cochichewick
Brook: reductions in soil biodiversity, elevations in air temperature, a cessation of plant-
released oxygen
Stevens Pond, as a shallow impoundment, has a warming effect on the waters of Cochichewick
Brook. This effect will be magnified by unnaturally high temperatures at the NAHS campus.
Cooling breezes from Lake Cochichewick, Stevens Estate, Weir Hill will not have an effect on an
over-warmed Cochichewick Brook.
In a large storm following during a hot summer afternoon, water heated either by the synthetic
turf itself or its underlying flat drain/crushed stone will flow rapidly into the warmed PVC Drain
Catch Basins and into a heated corrugated HDPE pipe (see Gayle Associates Inc. NOI Drawing
#C503 and #C504). In a large-enough storm super-heated water will run into bordering
vegetated wetlands.
If elevated air and water heat in the environment affects Cochichewick Brook the result may be
low 02 saturation of Brook waters, a deadly habitat for macro invertebrates and native species
that, historically, relied on fresh, cool Lake Cochichewick water.
4
One-half mile west of NAHS, Cochichewick Brook flows into the environs of an Environmental
Justice Population (bounded by High Street, Sutton Street, Merrimack River and streets west of
Main Street). North Andover's commercial district and neighborhoods will not benefit from a
warmer Cochichewick Brook.
Microplastics and Per- Poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) Leach from Synthetic Turf
Substances
Periods of heavy rainfall and wind carry broken turf blades and loose crumb rubber past flush,
cement curbs and short wind screens to locations not intended for these particles.
In wet weather, microplastics and PFAS leach from plastic and crumb rubber particles; though
well-designed drainage systems will keep fields playable, microplastics and PFAS,with no
adequate filtering system, will reach Cochichewick Brook through surface and ground water.
According to the American Chemical Society (ACS), "ingestion, inhalation or simple skin
contact with microplastics can lead to oxidative stress, DNA damage, organ dysfunction,
metabolic disorder, immune responses, neurotoxicity as well as reproductive and
developmental toxicity" (pubs.acs.org). Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have long
been identified in synthetic turf and crumb rubber. PFAS, a group of 182 synthetic chemicals,
have been nicknamed "forever chemicals since they do not break down in the natural
environment. In scientific studies of zebra fish, PFAS was shown to exert developmental toxicity
in thirty (30) percent of subjects (cfpub.epa.gov). Within the PFAS family, perfluorooctanoic
acid (PFOA) and perfluoroctaneoic sulfonic acid (PFOS) are developmentally toxic in mammals.
Rubber in the production of automotive tires, is treated with the antioxidant 6PPD to prevent
tire cracking and deterioration in exposure to oxygen. Unfortunately, as road-dust, soil particles
and roadway run-off, tire rubber 6PPD combines with ozone to produce the toxin 6PPD-
quinone (www.epa.gov/chemicaI-reserarch/6ppd-quinone). We should be considering this as
our children swim in Stevens Pond, as stormwater from Pleasant Street drains into the Pond.
It is irresponsible to ignore 6PPD-quinonn, utilizing an infill of ground-automobile tires on high-
school fields and in proximity to the bordering vegetated wetlands of Cochichewick Brook.
Studies in the Pacific show that 6ppd-quinone has an LC50 of 95 nanograms/L for Coho Salmon
(LC50= the lowest concentration which kills 50% of test subjects Northwest (Ximin Hu, University
of Washington, 2025 pub.acs.org/journal/esticu).
Though we are not expecting Coho Salmon in Cochichewick Brook, native fish are quite likely to
be affected and should be protected from extraneous, man-made chemicals.
If this intense pressure on the waters of Cochichewick Brook is allowed (extreme heat,
microplastics and PFAS, 6PPD-quinone) it will eventually affect our established Mills to Hills
walking path, our downtown and accompanying Environmental Justice Population in and finally
the Merrimack River. Disregard for Cochichewick Brook will only elevate temperatures and
5
pique the present challenges of combined sewage overflow (CSO) in the Merrimack River (see
www.merrimack.oir news for information CSOs).
Similar to the Merrimack River Watershed Council, The North Shore Water Resilience Task
Force (NSWRTF) is working to improve water quality and quantity on Massachusetts' North
Shore. North Andover is represented on the NSWRTF by Legislator Adrianne Pusateri Ramos
(141h Essex District, North Andover Precincts 1,2,3,4,5& 6) and State Senator Bruce Tarr, (1st
Essex District, North Andover Precincts 5A, 7 & 8 and Middlesex). A committee has been
formed within the NSWRTF to investigate microplastics and PFAS contamination within our
streams and rivers. Our own Representative Ramos is working to introduce, "An Act Prohibiting
State and Municipal Contracts for the Purchase and Installation of Artificial Turf Fields" (Bill
S.2187 to the 194t" (Current) General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts)3,4,5,6,7.
Protection and Showcasing Cochichewick Brook
The Conservation Commission of North Andover works tirelessly to protect the shores of Lake
Cochichewick. The lake is North Andover's sole drinking water source (northandoverma.gov)
(See About Lake Cochichewick and IEP Watershed Plan page 60). North Andover Town Bylaws,
(Chapter 190, Subsection 2) also place Cochichewick Brook and its riverfront (200 ft from the
Brook) into protective status under the North Andover Conservation Commission.
Disregarding the waters of Cochichewick Brook is "throwing out the bath water." We turn our
back on the Brook if we allow a once-pristine water to remain a series of isolated, brackish
ponds, inaccessible to anadromous fish (i.e. American shad, blueback herring, alewives, and
eels).
Many of the present impediments to Cochichewick Brook are monuments to North Andover's
industrial past. Additional stressors will magnify present dangers to our health and safety along
the Brook. A natural, living Brook flowing through the heart of North Andover might be a
beautiful resource, a flowing stream that is the envy of the entire North Shore and Merrimack
Valley regions. Show-cased in its close-to-natural state, Cochichewick Brook could attract
visitors and businesses to our town.
Tens of thousands of dollars in commercial studies have been invested in understanding North
Andover's livability and commercial potential. One recent study addresses dams at risk,
particularly our Sutton Pond Dam (www.ma&
. n h I - ri II- ini r i n- r -
- - UII - -r I- i - n- - u i ). . It is everyone's hope to
reinvigorate the North Andover commercial center and create extensive walking and shared-
use paths along the Brook.
Improvement of our civic center may not rely entirely upon one traversing stream but progress
would certainly be circumscribed if an ill or abandoned waterway traversed the town.
6
The installation of yet another synthetic turf field on the shores of Cochichewick Brook is a step
AWAY FROM showcasing NAHS, showcasing Cochichewick Brook and creating a North Andover
that is a unique destination for miles around.
Incredible Value of North Andover High School Campus
With the deleterious health & environmental effects of artificial turf, synthetic turf rooftop
playing fields on a year-round, multi-purpose facility (indoor ice-rink, competitive swimming
pool, multiple locker rooms as envisioned for campus by Athletic Director Steve Nugent)
would be the only reason to place synthetics on prime land of such acreage and visibility.
Significant protections and in-depth planning are needed for this parcel 8-17.
ENDNOTES
1 Athletic Field Evaluation Form (FNAFMP.pdf, p.58) —
NAHS Baseball Field Overall Rating: 2.8/4.0 with:
Safety- "Excellent"
Infield condition, fencing & planarity (play surface dips, heaves, holes lacking.) — "Good"
Stand of turf& support equipment (bases, dugouts, batting cages &benches) —"Fair"
Striping, draining, irrigation, site lighting - "Poor"
Field lighting - non-existent.
2 Topsoil
"In southeastern section of Middleton many acres of topsoil and thick deposits of
underlying gravel were shipped out of town during the 1940s to 1960s, much of the
latter to Logan for its runways. Holes dug there now reveal no true topsoil. It will take
another 10,000 years to regain what was lost. (Messenger, Pike: The Water Closet p.
173).
7
3 Boston Ban on Synthetic Turf in Parks
In October, 2022 Mayor Michelle Wu of the City of Boston signed a local law prohibiting the
installation of new synthetic turf fields. Closer to home, Dr. Joel Tickner of the Toxic Use
Reduction Institute at UMass Lowell warns against the creation of synthetic turf fields.
If you have not already, please visit the Final Committee Report of the Artificial Turf Study
Committee in Arlington, MA April 12, 2024:
Microsoft Word -ATSC Final Report 04-12-24.docx
The Arlington Committee conducted an exhaustive study and made great sacrifices to follow
the science. The Town made some difficult decisions to protect the health of their students and
the preservation of the environment while leaving future projects to future consideration.
4 Synthetic Turf Lifespan
Reuse of discarded automotive tires is admirable. Nevertheless, the short lifetime of synthetic
turf WILL BE a burden to North Andover citizens, environmentally and economically. The
improbability of a "next-life" for this crumb rubber means the creation of a waste pile
SOMEWHERE on earth, not unlike our own "glass hill".
The following are aerial views at the final extent of Mass DEP funds for the June, 1993 clean-up
at 2373 MA-114 Middleton.. The area is west of Salem Turnpike just south of Sharpner's Pond
Road intersection and the North Andover line. Questions regarding the future of the tire pile
exist to this day MA DEP funding did not cover a full clean-up.
1993-06-15 - aerial - MIDDLETON -Tire Pile -003 1 June, 19... I Flickr
Photos were taken by MassDEP Solid Waste and Hazardous Waste Investigations and
Inspections.
The presence of this pile, SO close to the North Andover line leads to questions we should
answer presently: (1) Will there be definite operations, for carting, reception and
storage/recycling of old turf& infill and at the appropriate time (2) do we have alternate
operators? (3) who in town will bear the cost of depositing used synthetic turf/ infill offsite (4)
options if all of these fail..
5 Safety to Players
Placing synthetic turf, on the proposed three acres of NAHS is neither a wise choice for our ball
players or our community or historic Cochichewick Brook.
Researchers have argued that microplastics/PFAS from synthetic turf& crumb rubber is neither
a significant danger by inhalation nor by skin penetration. Skin abrasion when an athlete slides
8
on synthetic turf occurs easily with exposed skin. The resultant heat and abrasio allows direct
exposure (tissues, lymphatics, blood vessels) with microplastics/PFAs.
6 Player Preference, Shock Absorption and Resistance
Strong arguments exist for satisfaction on natural grass fields from the following:
Of the 30 Major League Baseball (MLB) stadiums today, 5 feature artificial turf instead to the
traditional grass surface" (thestadumsguide.com). The majority of these are in southern states.
Anecdotal and scientific evidence exists to support the fact that natural grass offers the best
shock absorption of any playing field surface. In addition, grass fields provide a natural "give" to
foot movement, thus reducing the risk of knee/ankle injuries.
7 Additional Health Hazards of Synthetic Turf
Synthetic turf grass is fire-retardant but not fireproof. Synthetic turf blades will melt in
response to fire. Crumb-rubber-fill is flammable and, like most automobile tires, produces a
deep, black, greasy smoke.
8 Town Meeting 2024 Warrant and Approval
Independent evaluation requires hours evaluating the FNAMFP, Conservation Commission
Agendas' supporting documents as well as online research.
Alarm Bells now sound regarding synthetic turf fields. The negative environmental effects of
PFAS and microplastics on the environment are beginning to surface. This is in contrast to public
awareness in 2004.
Unfortunately, few Town residents have the time to attend each important Town meeting or
read important, lengthy document created by Town Interest Groups
"Warrant Article 9: Appropriation—Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Year 2025
Line 2 Field Master Plan Implementation," does not contain the clause, "synthetic turf field
placement." (North Andover Town Warrant 2024)
A one part of Article 9 Appropriation —Capital Improvement Plan for Fisal Year 2025 votes
received were: Pass/Near Unanimous (Town Meeting Minutes, 2024)
It may be argued that citizens of North Andover are NOT aware that they voted for additional
synthetic turf fields near Cochichewick Brook.
9 Conflict of Interest
In 2022 Gale Associates, Inc. conducted preliminary studies for and formulated the FNAFMP.
In 2025 Gale Associates, Inc. is providing design and engineering services for the placement of
the additional synthetic turf field at North Andover High School.
This may well represent a conflict of interest as Gale Associates, Inc, has not provided clear
alternatives to a synthetic turf field as well as other requests by the community.
9
10 Education
It is an educational travesty for NAHS to ignore Cochichewick Brook for instruction. Local
natural laboratory work could easily be conducted in biology, chemistry, environmental
sciences, engineering and physics, history and economics.
Understanding the role of water in the life of North Andover would lead students to an over-
growing appreciation of the community.
11 North Andover Parks Department Maintaining Greenways And Natural Grass Fields
Gale Associates Inc. states:
It is our understanding the Town wants to have all of their fields maintained by the
Town (DPW) and not the youth sports groups, etc. Therefore, based on the budget
information provided by the Town and Gale's knowledge of costs to conduct
well-maintained field maintenance, we anticipate a preliminary annual maintenance
budget for the Town to be estimated at $450,000, including the High School turf fields
(refer to the itemized cost breakdown provided in Enclosure 8) (FNAFMP.pdf, p. 20)
Phil Long Jr., the Senior Foreman of the North Andover Division of Public Works— Parks
Department responded to the Gale Associates' Questionnaire (Final North Andover Field
Master Plan.pdf pg.171):
Q: Describe the general condition of the fields you maintain:
A: Most grassy fields are in decent shape for play—exceptions being NAHS Baseball and
NAMS large field & Hayes Stadium.
Q: Is the condition of the fields you maintain currently dependent on your
maintenance budget? Do you feel an increase in maintenance spending could
drastically improve the condition of the fields you maintain?
A: Yes—we are constantly having to work overtime on weekends to keep up with
demands.
Mr.John Mullen of the North Andover Public Schools was asked the following questions by
Gale Associates to (FNAFMP.pdf, pg.175)
Q: Is the condition of the fields you maintain currently dependent on your maintenance
budget? Do you feel and increase in maintenance spending could drastically improve
the condition of the fields you maintain.
A:Yes: budget & staffing would definitely help.
Q: Please provide any further comments or information that may be pertinent to the
maintenance process.
10
A: High School turf fields recommendations: should be clean & raked with the
machine twice a month with all the sports usage of fields.
First line item at the High School Maintenance $1000/year. If done by
recommendations approximate cost would be $5000/year with our in house (sic)
Maintenance crew.
12 Demands of Synthetic Turf Field Maintenance
According to Gale Associates, synthetic turf maintenance (FNAFMP.pdf p184) calls for 'raking'
four (4) times in a typical paying season with a synthetic turf groomer, spot sanitation and
rinsing as needed, and "deep grooming" as needed.
"Preventative maintenance of the turf field includes regular grooming of the field with a
specialized attachment to redistribute the infill material within the field limits and
"stand-up" the turf fibers. The frequency of grooming depends on the level of play, but
most manufacturers typically recommend every two (2) to four (4) weeks. Other regular
maintenance items are limited to general debris cleanup and visual inspections of
seams". (see Gale Associates "Response to Comments" pg. 3)
"At $350/hour for crew (two employees) and machines is $1,2750 per grooming four times per
year equals an anticipated synthetic turf maintenance budget of$7000.00 per synthetic turf
field." (FNAFMP.pdf, p.185).
13 Warranty and Lifetime of Synthetic Turf Field
"...an 8-year warranty of the turf product, which typically stipulates that the Owner
perform the recommended routine maintenance to maintain the warranty. It is Gale's
opinion that this warranty requirement is sufficient to secure the Owner's commitment
to maintenance. (see Gale Associates "Response to Comments" pg. 7).
14 Present Maintenance Capacity
At present, NAHS does not have the available staff hours to service the three existing
synthetic turf fields; it fails to meet existing warranty agreements.
NAHS Athletic Director Steve Nugent concedes that, with the help of NAHS custodians, he is
able to groom the synthetic turf fields once every 4-5 weeks (Town Planning Board Meeting of
March 18t", 2025). This is an incredible achievement and a burden for faculty and staff with
coaching, administration and indoor maintenance duties. An additional synthetic turf field can
only increase that burden.
The Town of North Andover DPW Parks Department, eager to assume ALL town field
maintenance (FNAFMP p.20), will be hard pressed to fund, staff, educate, orchestrate,
11
supervise and maintain the high-quality synthetic turf fields promised by Gale Associates Inc
while maintenance of Town Parks and roadsides falls behind..
In contrast to synthetic turf management Gale Associates Inc. lists 10 tasks important in
keeping a grass field at peak performance:
Testing, Mowing, Infield Maintenance, Irrigation, Fertilizing, Lime Application, Aeration,
Top Dressing, Over-Seeding and Pesticides/Herbicides only if pests or disease noted.
With strong funding and with guidance of natural grass turf specialists and managers,
the Town of North Andover is likely to orchestrate and manage these fields well.
FNAFMP.pdf(p. 182)
Corporate introspection, dedication and commitment will be essential to the Town of North
Andover for financing, staffing and management if EITHER natural grass fields OR synthetic turf
is chosen.
15 Gale Associates, Inc.
a. Lack of Synthetic Turf Alternatives in The Gale Associates, Inc. FNAFMP.pdf
Recreational Leaders Questionnaire asked the following open-ended questions:
(1) Describe the general condition of each of the fields your program uses in terms of
maintenance, serviceability, drainage, amenities, safety, geometry, etc.
(2) Would additional lighted fields in you community enhance field availability?
(3) Would synthetic turf fields in your community enhance field availability?
In response to the Recreational Leaders Questionnaire regarding greatest field desires:
no respondents listed synthetic turf fields first on their list of top three desired items
nor was it the primary answer in their second or third choice.
Gale Associates, Inc. conclusions made from these and other FNAFMP surveys:
Priority needs stressed by the various stakeholders included the following:
Provide a state-of-the-art 90" Baseball diamond (possible turf), as the existing varsity
baseball field at the High School is in terrible condition (FNAFMP.pdf p. 11)
Having both softball and baseball playing on synthetic turf, at the High School, will
greatly improve the respective programs. (FNAFMP.pdf p.11)
No evidence is offered to support the above claim.
b. Failure to Evaluate Local Municipal Structure for Field Maintenance
Gale Associates Inc. makes the argument:
A well maintained and irrigated natural turf field that is properly rested can typically
sustain between 200—250 team-uses per year. To sustain high quality and safe athletic
natural turf under maximum volume of use is dependent upon how well the field is
built, to what degree the fields are maintained, and if an inclement Weather Policy is
enforced." (FNAFMP.pdf p.8)
12
On FNAFMP surveys and guidance, Gale Associates Inc. fails to supply information regarding
natural turf grass experts, a well-designed in-depth program of turf grass maintenance and
scientifically proven improvements in drainage or irrigation.
Gale Associated, Inc. continues:
Based on our experience, we have applied an equivalent use factor of 1.0 to youth
soccer as a baseline of field impact and deterioration. Gale estimates that youth football
is much more damaging to the turf and, as such, assigns it a 1.75 equivalent use factor.
Similarly, baseball and softball are not as damaging and are assigned a factor of 0.75.
(FNAFMP.pdf p.9).
NAHS current hosts synthetic turf fields for football (1.75 field impact/deterioration) and
soccer, (1.0). The grass baseball field in question has/does and will receive 0.75 field impact.
It is expected that Gale Associates, Inc. would evaluate natural grass field drainage/pumping
schematics to understand how "upping our maintenance game" may allow a state of the art,
natural grass field.
c. Tennis, ice-hockey, locker rooms, swimming ignored.
Athletic Director Steve Nugent requests better location for the tennis courts, additional locker
rooms, an ice/hockey rink ("the only sport in North Andover that has to go outside of NA to
access training facilities. Unacceptable."), and a swimming pool (FNAMP.pdf, p.114)
North Andover Stake Holder Meeting: Perceived Athletic Facility Needs) conducted by Gale
Associates Staff Engineer Ryan Thackery and attended by Steve Nugent, Todd Dulin (NAHS
Baseball coach) and other NAHS coaches. (October 27, 2022FNAMP.pdf, p.128)
Coaches emphasize moving the NAHS tennis courts and creating an amenity building. Gale
Associates agreed to look for means to place an ice rink on the NAHS campus.
16 Drainage and Natural Grass Fields
Within the Gale Associates, Inc. notice of Intent (NOI) a drainage engineering design exists for
the proposed NAHS synthetic turf baseball/softball field. No similar design was included for the
alternative of natural grass fields.
For two centuries in the United States farmers have prevented"run-off' and improved field
water percolation with tiling. Initially stone or round pipes of clay were used, allowing excess
water to enter pipe joints and flow with gravity.After WWII the U.S. Soil Conservation Service
encouraged tiling and of recent, corrugated pipes have been designed to achieve sufficient
drainage of water-logged fields.
13
In this location, in this era of drought-then-flood, expertly tiled& irrigated natural grass fields
should be explored prior to synthetic turf field placement.
In addition, investigation of the 2004 NAHS design, approval and construction could provide
information on forgotten troubles with the field in question.
17 Economics of Synthetic Turf Field Placement/Maintenance/ Replacement
Gale Associates, Inc. lists the following costs for a new, "Typical Full-Size Rectangular Synthetic
Turf Field"
Year 0—installation (greater portion of$721,,545.00 (Warrant Article 9, Section 2.
of the N.A. 2024 Town Meeting Warrant Google Doc: Final Warrant.pdf
Years 0-8—Typical 8-year Warranty Period
Year 11- 13—Turf Replacement +/- $600,000 (x 2 for a 3.4 acre field) _
$1,.200,000 (NAFMP.pdf p. 12)
Gale understands the three turf fields at the High School (Walsh Stadium, practice field,
upper field) were originally installed in 2004, and all three fields had the turf carpet
replaced in 2017. Using this information, it is Gale's opinion that the town should plan
to replace the turf at all three (presently existing) fields around 2028-2030 (p. 12).
Replacement of synthetic turf fields would continue as follows:
Year Full-Size Syn Turf Fields# Replacemnt Cost
2028—2030 3 $1,8001000.
2036—2038 2 $1,.200,000.
2041—2043 3 $1,800,000.
2047—2049 2 $1,.2001000.
2054—2056 3 $118001000.
2058 - 2060 2 $1,200,0001
2067—2069 3 $1,.800;000.
2071—2073 2 $1,,200;000.
2080—2082 3 $118001000L
14
Cost of replacement alone, by 2082: $13.8 million
Natural grass athletic fields:
(No cost estimates from Gale Associates, Inc.)
Research shows that the cost of renovating TWO natural grass baseball fields varies
considerably depending on the needs for stadium seating, concessions, ticket booth, etc. Some
estimates range from $50,000 to $250,000 other sources quote $200,000 to $500,.000.
(sportsfieldmanagement.org)
Properly managed grass fields have a life expectancy up to 20 years.
Field maintenance comparisons according to Gale Associates Inc.:
Generally, a well-maintained, natural grass municipal level field will cost approximately
$25,,000/year.... A typical maintenance budget for a synthetic turf field is+/-$7,POOO/
year... It is our understanding the Town wants to have all their fields maintained by the
Town (DPW) and not the youth sports groups, etc. Therefore, based on the budget
information provided by the Town and Gale's knowledge of costs to conduct well-
maintained field maintenance, we anticipate a preliminary annual maintenance budget
for the Town to be estimated at $450,000 including the High School turf fields.
(NAFMP p.19 )
Note: The University of Massachusetts School of Earth and Sustainability Department of Turf
Management may be a solid source of knowledge and staffing for the North Andover Parks
Department-Division of Turf Management to develop a highly skilled staff in grass turf
management with the bandwidth to beautify and encourage natural environments in Town.
It would be suspect to allow Gale Associates, Inc. to remove levels of North Andover soil, as
recommended, near our protected Cochichewick Brook without obtaining and equal estimate
for well drained and maintained natural grass turf fields.
15