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*APPROVED DECEMBER 11, 2018* <br /> Capital Improvement Program Committee <br /> Minutes <br /> December 5, 2018 <br /> APPOINTMENTS & HEARINGS (con't) <br /> Planning and Construction cont <br /> Mushpee Middle Hi h School Stadium Field Artificial Tur coni <br /> Mr. Collins expressed concerns about the Town's possible increased liability due to the change to <br /> artificial turf. The Mashpee Public Schools Athletic Director Matthew Triveri was asked about <br /> liability costs and injury rates with artificial turf by Mr. Richardson and he stated that they remain <br /> about the same. Superintendent of Schools Patricia DeBoer said the School Department has <br /> requested $100,000 to do a study on the field situation all over the Town. Catherine Laurent <br /> stated that the artificial turf has shown up in past CIP requests as recently as FY2017. Town <br /> Manager Collins asked about equipment requirements and certifications required to take care of <br /> an artificial field and the DPW Director responded that the annual maintenance costs are about <br /> one half of a traditional field. Mr. Gottlieb asked about the equipment needed if that would <br /> become a capital expenditure, but Ms. Laurent said it is an operating budget item. Several <br /> members asked about the disinfection of the turf, but it was pointed out that the manufacturers <br /> discourage chemical disinfection, and new materials now have a microban built in and have a <br /> sixteen-year warranty. There are other options such as acrylic coated sand and organic materials <br /> such as walnuts, etc. to make the turf. Mr. Collins then asked the Athletic Director about the <br /> following with natural vs artificial: <br /> Collins Triveri <br /> 1. Playing Safety No difference <br /> 2. Carcinogen Studies are inconclusive <br /> 3. Any cause for pause No and other towns have seen no significant changes <br /> Finance Director Dawn Thayer said that the capital projects are still approved by this Committee <br /> and recommended to the Town Meeting, but the funding is still to be decided. <br /> There was quite a bit of discussion as to whether doing just the stadium field was enough and if <br /> the other fields can be fixed such as'the upper football practice field that has a lot of drainage <br /> issues and is unusable at times. Selectman Gottlieb asked if the other fields can be used and <br /> Catherine Laurent answered that there are lights, etc. so they can reduce the use of the stadium <br /> for practice and limit it to games for all sports but baseball and softball. Matt Triveri said the <br /> artificial turf fields can be used five days a week and save wear and tear on the other fields. <br /> Michael Richardson asked if it makes sense to do the other fields too. Superintendent DeBoer said <br /> her preference would be to do softball and baseball too. Director Laurent said that there could <br /> have been a five-million-dollar request to do the entire complex. Charles Gasior said maybe a big <br /> plan should be brought forward to which Mr. Collins said we may need to go in phases just like <br /> wastewater. Patricia DeBoer stated again that it may be better to do a study of the overall athletic <br /> needs of the Town. Mr. Richardson said that it would be nice to see the whole plan on paper and <br /> the Town Manager said a ten-year projection with the larger rather than the smaller picture may <br /> be what is needed. Committee members asked if the fiscal year 2020 was realistic and the Finance <br /> Director said the project can not be split over fiscal years, but the funds could be encumbered if it <br /> was started in fiscal year 2020. <br /> 7 <br />