Manlius, NY -- The Fayetteville-Manlius Board of Education voted Monday night to accept a proposal for a turf field at the high school. The vote was 7 to 1 with one member abstaining. Board member Valerie Clarke voted against accepting the proposal because she said she''d like to see an alternative used for the turf substance rather than crumb rubber....
Manlius, NY -- The Fayetteville-Manlius Board of Education voted Monday night to accept a proposal for a turf field at the high school. The vote was 7 to 1 with one member abstaining.
Board member Valerie Clarke voted against accepting the proposal because she said she''d like to see an alternative used for the turf substance rather than crumb rubber. Board member Elena Romano abstained.
The board vote accepts the group's proposal, but not the gift of the field itself. That would happen down the road.The Fayetteville Manlius Community Sports Facility Association, a community group, has already raised half the $1.8 million needed for the turf field.
About 20 to 25 people spoke at the meeting, following a presentation given by the FMCSFA.
Most residents speaking at the meeting said they support the turf field and think it's a golden opportunity for the district to be given such a gift.
One resident, John Palmer, said he thinks there should be more publicity to residents about the proposal, and said he worries it will cost taxpayers money down the road. And Carl Fahrenkurg questioned why the board is approving something the residents voted down 2 to 1 in two referendums.
Board members said this proposal is different from the referendums because this is a gift, and it's a turf field and not a brand-new stadium.
Resident Sabrina McGurrin said she voted against the turf field during the referendum, but now supports it and has made a donation. "We have to keep up with the times,'' she said.
F-M senior CJ Roche said he doesn't play any sports, but his friends do. "If you're given a gift like this, you should accept it,'' he told the board.
Residents Gary Welling said he is embarrassed for the F-M players when he goes to other turf fields around the region. "It's about what's good for the kids,'' he said.
The group plans to continue its fundraising efforts this fall, and said residents can follow the group's progress and events at fmfield.com
The group is setting up a turf maintenance fund. The group is earmarking $100,000 for turf maintenance costs in the future. It also plans to help raise another $25,000 to $30,000 each year toward the fund.
The district winds up saving about $17,000 a year in grass maintenance costs, officials said.