Council Calls for Time to Consider Three-Year Moratorium on Artificial Turf Installation - Montclair Local

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Citing the need for more discussion, Montclair town council did not take any action on a resolution to establish a three-year moratorium on the installation of artificial turf on playing and recreational fields.

Fourth Ward Councilor Aminah Toler introduced the resolution Tuesday night.

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The resolution states “New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), and other public health specialists, doctors, and researchers have expressed concerns about the toxic chemicals found in artificial turf which is made up of plastic artificial grass blades, padding, and various infills including recycled rubber crumb…”

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Mount Sinai Children’s Environmental Health Center is mentioned in the resolution as recommending a moratorium on artificial turf. The proposed moratorium would allow for “the science will be reviewed, and a further moratorium, full prohibition, or other policy may be considered.”

Toler said she counted 17 people who spoke in favor of the moratorium, and four against it. The resolution was listed on the agenda as a discussion item. Toler wanted to move it forward for a first vote.

A majority of the council colleagues did not agree and seemed caught by surprise by the resolution. They wanted more time, and engagement with stakeholders in the community, before voting on the resolution.

Third Ward Councilor Rahum Williams, said the resolution’s wording needed to be “tightened up.” He also referenced remarks by Michelle Cammarata, Montclair’s recreation director. Cammarata said there were no plans to install turf at any fields in the municipality.

“I probably shouldn’t say this, but I think this is more or less just optics.” He also questioned how a moratorium would affect fields owned by Essex County or the Montclair Board of Education.

Williams also wanted to know how the proposed moratorium related to replacing or repairing portions of existing turf.

Paul Burr, the interim town attorney, said he would need to do more research to answer these questions. He added that the moratorium could open up the township to legal challenges.

Councilor At Large Carmel Loughman said she was in favor of a moratorium and even a ban. She was concerned about future class action suits related to PFAs. Loughman mentioned that re-turfing might be needed at George Washington Field. The field is located in Glen Ridge but owned by township of Montclair.

First Ward Councilor Erik D’Amato said the council should not take a vote, because “we don’t even know if this applies to the Board [of Education].”

D’Amato went on to say that he heard from members of the Board of Education who upon learning of the resolution felt “pretty blindsided, even though there are no plans to turf any fields.”

Second Ward Councilor Eileen Birmingham, referencing the list of other towns mentioned in the resolution, said she guaranteed none of them released a resolution for a moratorium on a Friday afternoon and passed it two weeks later. She said she was surprised to see the resolution given that there is no imminent turf installation.

“I just really feel like there is an issue of respect,” said Birmingham with regard to involving other stakeholders in the community, including the Board of Education.

Regarding a need to returf George Washington Field in the future, Birmingham said “It is not going to need rehabilitation in three weeks, five weeks. And if it did, we would have to approve funding for it.”

She said if the resolution was revised to address only town fields, which includes only one property the town owns, then “in two weeks, we could vote on that.”

“I would rather have an open discussion, a complete discussion. It deserves discussion, and it deserves community involvement of all the stakeholders,” she added.

Mayor Renee Baskerville said she agreed with Birmingham.

Councilor at Large Susan Shin Anderson agreed with points raised by Birmingham and D’Amato. She added that the language of the resolution “needs work.”

The debate over artificial turf has become a divisive issue in towns around New Jersey.

The turf discussion intensified in Montclair last year, over a new turf baseball field at the Aubrey Lewis Sports Complex. But concerns were raised back in 2018, when the Board of Education was looking into replacing turf at Fortunato Field.

Earlier this year McManimon, Scotland & Baumann LLC, the law firm representing the district, released a statement stating the turf field met all environment regulations.

Residents who spoke at BoE meetings disagreed, with many raising concerns about harmful impact of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – known as PFAS.

A group of Montclair residents signed a letter supporting the need for safe fields and stating the dangers of turf fields have yet to be scientifically proven. Another group of residents signed a letter raising concerns about “forever chemicals” in artificial turf and called for the Board of Education to halt installation of the turf baseball field. That group was unsuccessful.

Anna Grossman of Sustainable Montclair, told Montclair Local she had the artificial turf tested at the new baseball field. According to Grossman, who said she spent $1400 for the testing, the results “are consistent with what Portsmouth, NH found and indicate the product has PFAS in it – despite the BOE’s legal firm’s denial.”

Grossman, at Tuesday’s council meeting, said Montclair houses 23 acres of turf in the township and that they exacerbate heat islands and flooding.

Andrew Lacey, who also spoke during public comment Tuesday, asked the council to consult with stakeholders, including the BOE, coaches and athletic organizations and to evaluate the field requirements and how they are meeting utilization needs. He also mentioned that the council consider the will of the people by putting the issue to referendum.

Liz George is the publisher of Montclair Local. [email protected] More by Liz George