To the editor:

The Barrington School Committee has asked its communication consultant to issue a press release explaining the approval of an artificial turf field contract at the high school and detailing the work. However, this explanation should have been provided throughout the process, not just weeks before construction begins. It’s a little late in the game for this publicity stunt. The school committee should have been explaining the work behind the artificial turf field throughout the approval process, not just four weeks before they start breaking ground!

Before approving the turf field contract, a group of concerned citizens sent multiple emails to the school committee: 1) requesting that any contract require independent testing of the material to ensure it is PFAS-free (as promised by the school committee), and 2) asking for a financial analysis of the turf project, including maintenance and replacement costs in case of storm damage. The school committee was also requested to act with complete transparency, make all information regarding the contract public, and create a page on its website disclosing efforts to ensure the turf field would be PFAS-free.

The school committee did not respond to any of these emails and did not take any of the requested actions. No independent testing, no financial analysis, and no information posted on their website.

The school committee’s public relations campaign should be taken for what it is — a desperate attempt to appear to act with transparency when in fact they have done just the opposite. All of us have been strong supporters of the Barrington school system. This year we intend to vote NO to the school budget at the May 28 Financial Town Meeting, unless the school committee first reverses course on its plans for an artificial turf field.

Andrew Reich

Barrington

Marc Tatar 

Barrington

Kate Weymouth

Barrington

Jessica Allen 

Barrington

Nancy Hill

Barrington