Members of the Barrington School Committee voiced concerns about the Town Council’s plan to build synthetic turf fields at the middle school. 

During a meeting on April 11, Committee members discussed the plan, the funding, and what their next step is in the process.

At a meeting late last month, the School Committee voted 5-0 to send the proposal to Barrington voters on the November ballot. The affirmative vote included a stipulation calling for plan details to be negotiated by members of the Council and Committee.  

On April 11, school officials discussed those upcoming negotiations. 

Barrington Superintendent of Schools Michael Messore told Committee members that there were two major concerns. The first was a question about who would have control over scheduling use of the new turf fields, should voters approve the project. The second was that officials would prefer the plan include a synthetic turf field at the high school also. 

Barrington School Committee Chairman Patrick McCrann said it was clear that the Town Council did not select Victory Field for synthetic turf, in part because it would only serve high school student-athletes and not youth recreation sports leagues. 

Committee member TJ Peck asked if there was an expectation for when the agreement between the Council and Committee should be complete. He asked if officials want the deal ironed out by the financial town meeting in May.

Committee member Megan Douglas said she did not believe that was the case. She also said it was her opinion that the two sides “are so far off” on the details that would be included in an agreement. Douglas said BHS Director of Athletics George Finn wants bleachers at the new synthetic fields, and Councilor Rob Humm said the field would be used by recreational teams at 5 or 5:30. 

“None of this makes sense,” Douglas said. “It’s like no one has had this conversation, which is frustrating …”

Douglas also said that a fair number of people in Barrington would be frustrated with the current plan — that officials intend to use $4.5 million for a really large synthetic surface at the middle school. She suggested that some people might prefer to build one smaller synthetic turf field at the middle school and a second one at the high school, at the varsity soccer field location. 

Or, Douglas continued, maybe officials could build a synthetic turf field at the middle school and see how it works. That would allow the town to use some of the $4.5 million to use for other athletic field improvements. 

Peck said he agreed with Douglas. He asked if there were any action items that the School Committee needed to address, but the Committee’s attorney Aubrey Lombardo said the only action is to negotiate with the Town Council. 

Peck later asked if the Committee should hammer out a global understanding of athletic fields before they negotiate with the Town Council. He said that he assumes the Council will come to that meeting wanting to talk about the field agreement, but he would prefer to address other items and get a more global agreement. 

Douglas later said the focus on fields and the potential agreement between the Council and School Committee will delay possible progress on the track oval at the high school.

Peck later said the Committee has engaged a consultant to examine the athletic facilities at the high school, including Victory Field and the track. He expected the consultant to share information with the School Committee in June.