To the Editor:

There has been a lot of confusion among residents regarding the upcoming January 22 referendum. The board of education has bundled two completely separate propositions onto one ballot. Both propositions concern Bronxville School's only natural grass playing area, Hayes Field (the field adjacent to the elementary school playground, bordered by Midland and Meadow Avenues). Residents need to understand that the two propositions should be considered independently of each other.

First on the ballot will be Proposition 1, a FEMA-funded project to mitigate the flooding in Bronxville. This will provide much-needed relief from the flooding that has plagued our village and our school. FEMA provides 75% of the funds, with the school and the village each contributing $900,000.

Second on the ballot is Proposition 2, which will eliminate the only natural grass field the school has and will install artificial turf in its place. The cost of $2,200,000 will entirely come out of school funds.

The board of education thinks of these two issues as one single project and is encouraging us to vote yes on both. But these are two separate issues: we can have the flooding problem solved without installing the controversial synthetic turf--and save significant funds in the process.

The flood mitigation project (Proposition 1) provides for the complete restoration of the field space with natural grass, with the added benefits of proper grading and improved drainage. This new grass field requires no additional funding.

The synthetic turf (Proposition 2) will cost an additional $2,200,000 paid by the school. It will all but eliminate the natural grass area that students regularly use for recesses, play, practices, and recreation. It will turn our only open green grass area into a plastic field with bleachers, fences, and retaining walls. Chappaqua, Rye, Scarsdale, Eastchester, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, and Pelham all have grass fields for their elementary schools. Bronxville would be the only elementary school in the area whose students don't have access to a natural grass field. Additionally, there is no conclusive research that proves that artificial turf is safe. It's a controversial topic that has recently raised many red flags. 

The board has presented the bundling of the two projects as a cost-saving opportunity when in fact it's a costly project that affects the quality of our lives and, most important, the lives of our children.

We can solve the flooding and we can keep the grass. We vote on two issues, not one. On January 22, we have the opportunity to solve the flooding problem and make sure our kids have a healthy and natural outdoor space to play on.

It is important to vote.

Vote yes on prop 1--flood mitigation.  

Vote no on prop 2--$2.2 million artificial turf.

Your Fellow Parents and Friends of Hayes Field
January 7, 2015

Editor's note: MyhometownBronxville does not fact-check statements in letters to the editor, and the opinions do not necessarily reflect the thinking of its staff. Its objective in publishing letters to the editor is to give air to diverse thoughts and opinions of residents in the community.