During the meeting, some officials asked if it was a good time to discuss building an artificial turf field in Barrington.

Barrington Park and Recreation Commission Chairman Mike Seward said be believed the perfect solution to the fields issue in town would be building an artificial turf field at the middle school, once construction of the new school is finished. 

"That's the perfect solution," said Mr. Seward. "That's the only solution I see. You want to make an improvement? That's it." 

Booster Board official Tom Rimoshytus agreed with Mr. Seward and said now was the time to put in artificial turf fields at the middle school.

The current plans call for natural sod athletic fields to be built at the middle school once the old building and parking lots are demolished. 

Anna Clancy and Patrick Guida serve as co-chairs for the school building committee, which has overseen the construction of the new middle school. Ms. Clancy said the construction of an artificial turf field at the middle school is not out of the realm of possibilities, but there are a number of things to consider. She said the work would require a change order and likely a cost increase, and added that some people in town may not support an artificial turf field for other reasons. She also questioned whether the middle school property was the best location for a turf field or if it should be considered at the high school.

Ms. Clancy said no one had yet approached the building committee about the idea of building an artificial turf field at the middle school. 

During the meeting last week, Barrington Town Manager Jim Cunha said he was concerned about the cost of an artificial turf field and its longevity. He reminded people that artificial turf still needs to be maintained.

Later in the meeting, Barrington Town Council member Steve Boyajian asked DPW officials how much it would cost, and how long it would take, to construct a new natural surface athletic field in town.