High tensions at Burrillville Town Council meeting on proposed turf field

BURRILLVILLE, R.I. (WLNE) — It was a testy town council meeting in Burrillville on Thursday, as some residents protested a proposed turf field at the high school.

“Some are concerned about the financial aspect, some are concerned about the health impacts,” resident Adam Schatz said. “Some are concerned about the environment, some are just concerned about their drinking water.”

The key debate was on the prevalence, or lack thereof, of toxic “forever chemicals” in the turf.

Councilman Dennis Anderson emphasized that the entire amount of PFAS in the field would be equivalent to one water droplet.

There are several bodies of water near the proposed facility, and officials said testing wells have been put in around the area.

“We’re seeing this demonstration of the testing that they’ve done, in my opinion with compromised consultants that go from town to town associated with the company that’s installing the turf,” Schatz said.

Councilors were adamant that the facts proved these concerns are minor, and added there is a significant portion of the community in support of the project.

“Plenty of people have contacted the town council privately voicing their support for this field,” Council President Donald Fox said. “They just feel concerned about coming out in an environment like this.”

The council concluded that they plan to continue the project despite the concerns voiced during the meeting.