Traffic jams, light trespassing, an adverse environmental impact and health risks associated with artificial turf were just some of the concerns voiced by village residents on the Molloy College proposed athletic fields upgrades during Wednesday night's Town Hall Meeting hosted by Mayor Fran Murray at the Sandel Senior Center.
Kevin McAndrew, a representative for Cameron Engineering ― the company who would do the work ― explained that the project, which Molloy would pay $6 million for, wouldn't impact the Mill River corridor and would remain within the footprint of the existing fields.
Residents said they were concerned that wildlife in and around the river would be adversely impacted by the creation of synthetic turf fields and the water runoff from the field into the river.
Under the proposal, three of the four fields (Barasch, Lister and Blighe) on the South Side of the village that would be upgraded would have synthetic turf, McAndrew noted, but all four would be equipped with a sub-surface drainage system that would store rainfall and inhibit runoff into Mill River. He added that the drainage component can handle eight inches of rain an hour.
Barasch Field would be renovated into a fenced-in, NCAA baseball stadium with Major League Baseball dimensions, equipped with dugouts, bullpens, batting cages, bleachers, a press box and a continuous Evergreen tree line to screen the field from the streetscape. Molloy would use this field for its baseball season ― January to mid-May ― and the high school would use it for its home games.
Deputy Mayor Nancy Howard said the schedules of both teams do not conflict with each other. Pette Field would be eliminated under the proposal.
McAndrew explained that the proposed renovation to Blighe Field would eliminate Ketler Field, and a 25-foot high net fence would be installed adjacent to Riverside Drive. The field would also get support field lighting. He explained that the lighting would be "directed and focused" and wouldn't shine light on surrounding homes like the lights at Barasch Field. Blighe would be used for the Babe Ruth Little League division, Howard said.
This took residents by surprise, who were unaware that lights or a fence at Blighe were part of the proposal. Many said they felt a fence around Blighe would "close them out" to parkland they have used with their children for years.
Residents who live near the field said the village must take into account the increased traffic and possible health impact of artificial turf fields. Rodney Place resident Joe Thrapp said there needs to be more studies on the impact this proposal will have on the community before the village signs off on it.
"There are several things that need to be studied and planned," he wrote in an email to Patch. "Traffic studies. Light trespassing issues that will invade hundreds of houses along the Mill River and the misinformation about risks of using rubber tire refuse as a base filler under the artificial grass."
Kevin McAndrew, a representative for Cameron Engineering ― the company who would do the work ― explained that the project, which Molloy would pay $6 million for, wouldn't impact the Mill River corridor and would remain within the footprint of the existing fields.
Residents said they were concerned that wildlife in and around the river would be adversely impacted by the creation of synthetic turf fields and the water runoff from the field into the river.
Under the proposal, three of the four fields (Barasch, Lister and Blighe) on the South Side of the village that would be upgraded would have synthetic turf, McAndrew noted, but all four would be equipped with a sub-surface drainage system that would store rainfall and inhibit runoff into Mill River. He added that the drainage component can handle eight inches of rain an hour.
Barasch Field would be renovated into a fenced-in, NCAA baseball stadium with Major League Baseball dimensions, equipped with dugouts, bullpens, batting cages, bleachers, a press box and a continuous Evergreen tree line to screen the field from the streetscape. Molloy would use this field for its baseball season ― January to mid-May ― and the high school would use it for its home games.
Deputy Mayor Nancy Howard said the schedules of both teams do not conflict with each other. Pette Field would be eliminated under the proposal.
McAndrew explained that the proposed renovation to Blighe Field would eliminate Ketler Field, and a 25-foot high net fence would be installed adjacent to Riverside Drive. The field would also get support field lighting. He explained that the lighting would be "directed and focused" and wouldn't shine light on surrounding homes like the lights at Barasch Field. Blighe would be used for the Babe Ruth Little League division, Howard said.
This took residents by surprise, who were unaware that lights or a fence at Blighe were part of the proposal. Many said they felt a fence around Blighe would "close them out" to parkland they have used with their children for years.
Residents who live near the field said the village must take into account the increased traffic and possible health impact of artificial turf fields. Rodney Place resident Joe Thrapp said there needs to be more studies on the impact this proposal will have on the community before the village signs off on it.
"There are several things that need to be studied and planned," he wrote in an email to Patch. "Traffic studies. Light trespassing issues that will invade hundreds of houses along the Mill River and the misinformation about risks of using rubber tire refuse as a base filler under the artificial grass."
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