As many of you know, I have had various articles, (pro and con), regarding this Artificial Turf, Field Turf issue throughout the months.

The  Town of Cheshire is serious considering installing this turf at the Cheshire High School Football Field. A study committee, and let’s be honest here, made up of people who WANT the turf, are looking into its possible impact on a person’s health.

Next week, I am planning on making a stop at my old love school, yes I have so many, University of New Haven, which has artificial turf at Kayo Field, which is the schools soccer and lacrosse field, and is in the process of having artificial “blue colored” turf installed at the Football field. In fact, it probably is already set up. I will go by there while I am in the area on business and see if I can speak to some people about their feelings regarding the turf.

I know the Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has questioned the turf’s safety, or more specifically, the rubber pellet underlay. I have actually read websites and blogs where people have stated they have gotten the pellets on their clothing or even in their mouths.

The Town of Westport has several artificial turf fields in their community. I am providing the information below. This article is from WESTPORTCT.GOV. The official Town of Westport website.

(9/4/2007) The Westport Parks and Recreation Department has said that continued use of synthetic athletic turf fields in Westport is warranted despite concerns expressed by some saying they may adversely affect the health of users.

In a statement, Parks and Recreation Director Stuart McCarthy said: “The Westport Parks and Recreation Department continues to support the installation of synthetic athletic turf as a safe alternative to grass playing fields.

“While we are constantly reviewing all available information on this subject we have seen no evidence that playing on these fields is unsafe. There is ample evidence that these fields perform well, use fewer pesticides and improve playing conditions and athlete safety over the current over-used grass fields.”

McCarthy said the department encourages continued testing of these products to assure the safety of users of these playing fields.

“To date, while several studies have identified chemical compounds associated with the rubber infill materials used in this current technology, not one of the studies has concluded that the presence of those compounds pose a danger to human health or the environment,” he said.

In a statement issued following the latest reports of testing done by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station’s chemical laboratory, Brian Toal  supervising epidemiologist, Environmental and Occupational Health Assessment Program, Environmental Health Division of the State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health, wrote:

“We have reviewed a great deal of the literature on potential human health risk from rubber used in synthetic turf fields. We have not seen any information that would lead us to recommend against installing such fields based on potential chemical exposures or health risk from those using the fields.

“At this time we do not plan on issuing a recommendation against installation of synthetic turf fields. It is important to note we do not have authority to issue a moratorium. If we felt there was a serious health risk from such fields we would work with the Connecticut Department of Education and DEP to issue a recommendation to schools. At this point no such action is planned by DPH.”

McCarthy noted that the current generation of synthetic athletic turf has been in use for approximately 8 to10 years.

There are currently more than 1,000 installations nationwide and dozens in the local area. Current installations are in place in nearly every state, in professional stadiums, college campuses (including state universities and colleges), urban and suburban parks and municipal schools and recreation facilities both indoors and outdoors, he said.

The Parks and Recreation Department is not aware of any state or federal agency which has banned, restricted or warned against the use of this product, McCarthy said.

“The Parks and Recreation Department will continue to review information and public health statements regarding the use of synthetic athletic turf as we go forward,” he said.

While I was surfing around the Town of Westport’s official website, I noticed something I had alluded to a few months ago. Apparently, the Westport’s First Selectman writes a monthly column on Town happenings. The website even lists archives of his past columns so readers can enjoy past posts.

I suggest Town Manager Michael Milone give this site a once over and see what a great idea this is.  He calls it “Gordon’s Journal.”

The First Selectman even invites readers to e-mail him directly with an “email Gordon” link. UPDATE: The commenter is right. When you click on “e-mail Gordon” you get directed to a page with a phone and fax number. Maybe he was getting too many E-Mails!!

I know this man is good First Selectman because his first name is Gordon!!

So here is the link to Westport’s official website:

click here

It’s time to have “Michael’s Journal” and it is time to see our Town Manager get on a more intimate basis with the people of this community, not just the FIVE Democratic Town Council members.

I would like to see the Town Manager go around the Fall Festival that I will NOT be attending this year. and do a meet and greet with as many folks as possible. In fact, set up a Town Hall booth and man it with as many staff people as possible and talk to your constituents!!! The Police Chief should do the same thing!!!