DEP: Turf Resubmission is 'Next Step Forward'

A Department of Environmental Protection spokesman said to install the artificial turf will allow officials to take a step back in the process and provide the chance for the DEP to fully analyze the proposal.

Joe Ferson, DEP spokesman, said some of the land on the property does not meet the requirements for redevelopment, and instead falls under the category of new development. Anyone submitting plans as new development must present alternative analysis to show there is no alternative to the project that would further protect the wetlands.

By withdrawing its turf proposal and including it in the larger school project in front of the Conservation Commission on April 25, the school can provide alternative analysis for the plans.

The decision is not, according to Ferson and Superintendent of Schools Joanne Benton, a sign that the appeal would have favored the .

“I would not rule anything out or in,” said Ferson. “Everything depends on what the next proposal is.”

Benton said nothing will change in the turf portion of the school plans when the group goes before the Conservation Commission. She also said that the updated construction schedule will be contingent on potential appeals to the future issuance of the Conservation Commission's Order of Conditions. 

“It became more clear that the MassDEP would be more readily able to address the ‘whole site’ project, rather than the separate projects,” said Benton. “The turf field plans will remain the same.”

DEP members made a walkthrough of the high school grounds on March 23 as a part of the appeal.

Benton said since there will be no construction taking place this spring, the Wilmington High School will likely be held at Alumni Stadium, weather permitting. If the turf work had begun on time, the ceremonies would have been held inside the gym.

“(The turf postponement) will clearly be a disappointment to those that benefit the most – the students,” said Benton. “The decision has been made by the town that it will be more clear to the MassDEP to evaluate the two projects as a whole to avoid potential confusion about making wetlands requirements of the projects contingent upon one another.”

Ferson said because the turf proposal was further in the project, town officials were unable to provide alternative analysis at this point, which led to the withdrawal.

"This is the next step forward in the process," said Ferson.