Michael McGovern:New board member debuts. Stephen Rubin for WestportNow.comBy Jonathan Thrope
Overcoming a last-minute glitch, the Westport Board of Education Monday night approved an agreement with the manufacturer of synthetic turf playing fields for new fields on school property.
The board accepted a gift from Sprinturf towards the installation at the Stadium Field and Jinny Parker Field at Staples High School. The company will also construct new fields adjacent to Saugatuck Elementary School and at Wakeman Park.
The Wayne, Pa.-based company agreed to make a matching grant to the money raised by the Field of Dreams Committee for the project, whose total value is estimated at $2.85 million. The company said it had reduced the cost to $1.55 million in exchange for a branding agreement.
Earlier, Mary Parmelee, board chair, raised some issues regarding the branding agreement. She also had concerns about the appropriateness of a plaque that would be placed at each field as well as an exclusivity clause within the contract that would restrict the board from purchasing turf in the future from any company besides Sprinturf.
However, since the contract is just in its early stages, the board accepted the gift without opposition. Members agreed to leave the contract in the hands of the Building Committee and the Town Attorney and trust that it will comply with the board’s and the town’s policy when it is completed.
At the meeting, the board also unanimously agreed on a new contract with the National Association of Government Employees representing school custodians through 2009.
The meeting was the first public session for Michael McGovern, selected last month to fill the unexpired term of Lewis Brey who is moving out of town. Both men are Republicans.
I have read with interest the several articles written about the synthetic turf fields that will be installed in Westport. I have obviously also been involved in the RFP for this project.
I’m sure you’ve heard the expression “please be aware,if its too good to be true, it probably is”
The well intentioned citizens of Wesport and its Board of Education are leaving themselves wide open for multiple claims from suppliers, vendors, laborers who probably will not be paid, because certainly there will be a shortfall on this project. The only way to protect the City of Westport is to make sure that there is sufficient bonding in place to cover what is the real cost building a drainage base and installing the fields or instead of a bond that $2.8 million be put in an escrow account by Sprinturf.
Anything less, could result in the City of Westport holding the bag.
Anyone wishing more information may call me at 800 724 2969 or email at jgilman@fieldturf.com
Good luck,
John Gilman CEO Fieldturf
What the hey are you talking about?