Gloucester Township Council Approves Artificial Turf For Community Park Fields

Gloucester Township, NJ -- Gloucester Township Council approved an pair of ordinances for a total of $2.7 million that calls for the installation of artificial turf at Community Park on Hickstown Road at its meeting on Jan. 25 at the municipal building.

The approval came in spite of protests from some residents who expressed concern over safety issues and the cost of the project.

The township intends to go out to bid on cumb turf at two fields. It selected two primary fields, with four other fields serving as possible candidates.

The use of artificial turf has been in question since an NBC News report that raised the possibility of a connection between the crumb rubber from recycled tires used in the turf and the diagnosis of cancer in 38 college soccer players, specifically goalies, last year.

“Exposure to the turf can result in illness, including dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke,” Gloucester Township resident Jim Kibelstis said. “The heat on the field can reach 140 degrees when the true temperature is around 90 degrees.”

He added that the turf can be easily swallowed when an athlete hits the field and chunks come flying up.

No definitive link has been made between the turf and cancer, and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Director of Local Government Assistance Cindy Randazzo said in an email to the township that there has been a lot of study done on artificial turf, “but nothing definitive ever came out saying it couldn’t be used.”

She said Green Acres grants can be used for these fields until there’s a clear direction that they shouldn’t be.

That email was sent after a resident contacted NJDEP about the issue, but Council President Orlando Mercado said the township did follow up. He didn’t provide specifics.

One resident pointed out that although there was no definitive connection, the effects were more likely to be felt in the long term. He also pointed to asbestos, tobacco and Agent Orange as chemicals that were previously thought to be safe, but turned out to be harmful to those who were exposed to it.

Council said they had an expert come in during workshops and speak to them about the issue and the safety concerns, and that they had done their research independently.

Others were concerned about the cost, and how the fields would impact their taxes.

Gloucester Township Business Administrator Tom Cardis didn’t have information as to what interest would be paid and how much it would cost to refurbish the field during the meeting, and he didn’t respond to a request for that information from Patch last week.

When he was council president, Glen Bianchini estimated the cost would be about $600,000 a field. A teacher who spoke during the Jan. 25 meeting quoted two companies whose numbers matched up with Bianchini, which would bring the total for two fields to just over $1,200.

“To borrow the money without knowing how much you’re going to spend is ludicrous,” he said.

He said people want a roof over their head and good schools, and that taxes were spiraling out of control as it is.

The plan has some supporters who were in attendance.

“I would never put kids in harm’s way if there was a health risk,” Gloucester Township Lacrosse President Joe Bailey said. “... It’s better to do this now when interest rates are low because interest rates will go up in the next five years.”

“We are practicing 21 nights in August before the season even starts,” Gloucester Township Stallions Midget Football President Glen Leary said. “In the fall, we have 33-40 practices and 45 games. We have 100 kids using the fields, and before the first game is played, the grass is all chewed up.”

The wear and tear on the fields is why the township wants to see artificial turf put down. The fields are more durable than natural grass fields, with an estimated lifespan of 10 years.

Councilwoman Tracey Trotto said her research has shown there are more injuries on a field with natural grass because of the beating it takes day after day.

Residents were also concerned about what happens when the lifespan expires, and how it would be disposed. Some wanted the township to go out for a referendum, but council was confident in its decision.

“I listen to the NJDEP when they say it can be used,” Councilwoman Andrea Stubbs said. “It’s important that we look into it and make a decision based on all the information. No matter what comes back, it seems we won’t be able to agree, and this looks solid to me.”