Change orders for May 2014

The Agenda for the May 12, 2014 School Board Meeting has been published.

Change Orders for High School Renovation Project – The following change orders are presented for Board consideration. All the change orders listed below totaling $104,477 have been reviewed by the architect, PJ Dick and the District administration.

a. GC-100-225 to Nello for $74,520 for floor, wall, structure and ceiling work,

b. PL-30-226 to Vrabel for $16,793 for drain, water and storm lines and heater repairs,

c. EL-61-227 to Farfield for $873 for cable, fire alarm, card reader and gas resets, and

d. ME-23-228 to McKamish for $12,291 for diffusers, ducts and coils.

Just add a handful of dirt and grass seed...

Did you know that our high school turf is being maintained properly? That is what President Elaine Cappucci said on May 2, 2014. Remember this from Bridge sinking three inches?

From: Elaine Cappucci [mailto:ECappucci@mtlsd.net]
Sent: Friday, May 2, 2014 1:16 PM
Subject: RE: high school turf
The high school turf is properly groomed/maintained regularly (at least once per month). The loft in the turf will vary depending on when it was groomed and how much activity has occurred on the turf.
Elaine Cappucci

According to Athletic Director John Grogan, the turf has recently been groomed.

From: John Grogan [mailto:JGrogan@mtlsd.net]
Sent: Friday, May 9, 2014 11:52 AM
Subject: RE: high school turf
Our turf is being maintained as per manufacturer’s suggestion. There was some time this spring that maintenance was not able to get on because of weather but it has been recently groomed. The district does have a company come in every summer to do a “deep cleaning” and complete maintenance program (add rubber, look at seams, etc.) which we will continue to do again this year.

As you are probably aware, our turf is used constantly by numerous teams, groups and community members. It is extremely important to our programs and I know that our facility department works hard to keep it maintained. Thanks for your interest.
John

Remember the standing water? That is the reflection of the blue sky in that water. Yuck!

A Right To Know was filed for documents pertaining to the latest installation of the artificial turf at Mt. Lebanon High School football stadium pertaining to all costs associated with, maintenance agreements, warranty, contractor/installer contracts. The request was granted. Here are the documents.

The Lebo Citizens "Turf Photographer" reported back today with this goodie.

A hole in the turf

Where the infill and plastic grass is missing, is the plastic backing that we would be getting down on Middle and Wildcat Field. John Grogan can throw a handful of dirt and some grass seed to fill the hole. Elaine Cappucci can spray paint the grass white when it grows, and no one will know the difference. Another option would be to open a Putt Putt Golf down at the stadium.

Please sign this petition if you want to halt public funds for use of artificial turf at Wildcat and Middle Fields.

Parks Advisory Board pushes back!

The Parks Advisory Board met on May 6, 2014. There were three residents who spoke against the artificial turf at Middle and Wildcat Fields. Chairman Hugh Beal changed the order of the agenda so that new business, specifically artificial turf at Middle and Wildcat Fields, could be discussed immediately after Citizen Comments. 

During the meeting, the Parks Advisory Board decided to draft a letter to the Commission to express concerns related to the pending field turf project on Cedar Blvd.

The video has been uploaded on the municipal website and may be viewed here. The letter is read at the 01:16:28. Here it is in written form:

The Parks Advisory Board is writing the commissioners to express concerns related to the pending field-turf project being pursued by Mt. Lebanon on Cedar Boulevard. 

Although athletic fields are not strictly under the purview of the Parks Advisory Board, we are concerned about potential negative impacts of this project on nearby parks and recreation areas, and the nuisances presented to adjacent recreational open space. These concerns have also been voiced by citizens who have presented at PAB and Commission meetings. 

Specifically, the PAB is concerned about:
1. The use of crumb-rubber infill, which contains hazardous materials, including heavy metals such as lead, zinc and chromium. In addition, gases that are emitted by the decomposing rubber infill are known to aggravate respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD. This will prevent vulnerable residents from accessing these fields and nearby park space.
2. The potential to increase storm water runoff due to the impervious cover used in the construction of this field. The resulting storm water may overwhelm the downstream Robb Hollow Park area and exacerbate Cedar Boulevard flooding events, further disturbing Cedar Boulevard residents. In addition, this storm water may carry with it the infill (and hazardous materials) and biocides/chemicals used to maintain the fields.
3. Artificial-turf fields are known heat islands, which may have spillover effects on other adjacent park and recreational areas, including the tennis facility and swimming pool area. 

Therefore, the PAB advises that:
1. The municipality should request that entities bidding on this project be asked to address these concerns directly.
2. The municipality should reconsider the use of crumb-rubber infill and ensure that the fields will not exacerbate stormwater problems in the Robb Hollow watershed area.

Thank you, Parks Advisory Board for reviewing your mission statement, for advocating for our parks, for listening to residents, and for protecting our precious resources.

Please sign this petition if you want to halt public funds for use of artificial turf at Wildcat and Middle Fields.

Signs have arrived

Are you against the commissioners spending over $750,000 of your tax dollars to rip up the grass from Middle and Wildcat Fields? Do you have concerns that our growing and developing children will be exposed to harmful chemicals and metals, in addition to increased risks of concussions, knee injuries, heat exhaustion, endocrine system damage, and asthma exacerbation from inhaled particulates and fumes?

This is a risk to our environment. Artificial turf produces toxic run-off to our streams. This area is prone to flooding. Even "organic" infill is a poor choice since organic infill floats, compacts, and freezes. The blades of "grass" and carpet backing are made from plastics, so even organic infill is toxic.

Regardless of the type of infill used, the replacement of natural grass with artificial turf produces a large carbon footprint. It would take 1,861 trees to offset the carbon footprint of this project, not including the trees which will be removed for parking and bordering trees near the turf.

If you would like to have a sign for your yard, please contact me at EGillen476@aol.com to make arrangements for a sign. The cost of the sign is $4.75.

"...there is nothing unsafe about any of this."    

-Dave Brumfield 

 May 7, 2014

Please make your concerns known to the commissioners!

Please sign this petition if you want to halt public funds for use of artificial turf at Wildcat and Middle Fields.

"...there is nothing unsafe about any of this."

So says Dave Brumfield in a heated exchange with Charlotte Stephenson about artificial turf.

I'll start from the beginning. A resident emailed this to Dave Brumfield:

Date:04/30/2014 2:19 PM (GMT-05:00) 
To: dbrumfield@mtlebanon.org 
Subject: Re: artificial turf 

Have you seen the flyer about health and environmental issues, including runoff?  Have you visited http://www.lebocitizens.blogspot.com/?

I simply cannot understand why artificial turf is necessary.  I see no logical rationale for it.

Dave answered with:

From: "dbrumfield@mtlebanon.org" <dbrumfield@mtlebanon.org>
Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2014 5:13 PM
Subject: Re: artificial turf

Unfortunately the information you are being directed to is inconsistent with studies from California, New York and even the Netherlands.  This is not something that I or the Commissioners entered into without research.   There is a reason that educational and governmental entities are installing turf at an ever increasing rate.  For playability,  predictability and efficiency it is the best surface.

         Dave 

Word traveled fast throughout Mt. Lebanon that Mr. Brumfield had not provided supporting evidence, as usual. So Charlotte called him on it.

On May 1, 2014, at 5:33 PM, Charlotte Stephenson wrote:

Dear Commissioner Brumfield, 

It has come to my attention that you claimed to a resident that studies from California, New York and even the Netherlands support the installation of artificial turf for use by children. However, you did not provide any links or cite the specific information. Please give me access to the studies to which you refer.

I look forward to your prompt response.

Thank You,

Charlotte Stephenson

No response, so Charlotte tried again.

On Sat, May 3, 2014 at 11:23 AM, Charlotte Stephenson wrote: 

Dear Commissioners (Mr. Brumfield),

I am still awaiting the information that I previously requested regarding Dave's sources associated with the information he is telling our residents. He is referring to studies in favor of artificial turf for children in California, New York and the Netherlands, however, he has not produced any supporting documentation. When can I expect to receive this information?

Thank You,

Charlotte Stephenson

Finally, Dave Brumfield answered Charlotte's email.

On May 3, 2014, at 5:06 PM, David Brumfield wrote:

Ms. Stephenson,

Please find attached links to the studies I have mentioned to a few residents.

http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=3847&q=463832&depNav_GID=1511 

http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/eode/turf_aqs_report0409.pdf

http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/publications/Documents/Tires/2010009.pdf

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23007896

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19779733

http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Newsroom/News-Releases/2008/CPSC-Staff-Finds-Synthetic-Turf-Fields-OK-to-Install-OK-to-Play-On/

http://www.manexconsulting.com/news/manex-and-uc-berkeley-study

http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.syntheticturfcouncil.org/resource/resmgr/docs/epa_600_r-09_135.pdf

http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.syntheticturfcouncil.org/resource/resmgr/docs/nysdec_study_on_leaching_off.pdf

http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.syntheticturfcouncil.org/resource/resmgr/docs/dr._johns-bainbridge_island_.pdf

http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.syntheticturfcouncil.org/resource/resmgr/docs/tires_62206013.pdf

There are of course others, but I believe these are the only studies I referenced to residents or at meetings.

Additionally, though I do not believe I referenced them there are a number of studies that show turf is equal to or better than natural grass as to likelihood of athletic injury.

Dave Brumfield

Charlotte ripped apart Dave's "studies." It was much too long to reprint, so I made it into a Google Doc.

Dave, always ready to argue, came back with:

           On May 7, 2014, at 4:51 PM, David Brumfield wrote:

Ms. Stephenson,

Did you receive all of the studies I provided because your response only addresses a fraction of them.  I only ask to make sure you did receive the links to all of the studies and were able to properly view them.

Also I would ask why this concern was raised now and not when the money was set aside last year from the undesignated funds.  The fact is based on those public meeting discussions and votes we have had private residents donate thousands of dollars to the endowment.  That money was donated for a specific purpose and would be lost if we reversed ourselves now.  Though I have not visited lebocitizens in a while I know you have always been a regular reader and poster.  I also know that our votes on turf were discussed on the blog.

Additionally, those who will be using the new turf are at an extremely high rate already using other turf fields.  And even those that are not are coming into contact with recycled rubber tire products every day.  There are thousands of turf fields in this country and even more recycled rubber products.  Based on the studies I have reviewed, including those I provided to you there is nothing unsafe about any of this.  The studies you are referring to about turf are also against other rubber products and other things as common as asphalt.

Finally, the provisions you referenced regarding the planning board did not require us to take the project to the planning board.  Nor were we required to take it to the Parks Board or Traffic Board as we were not changing the sites use.

Dave Brumfield

There it is in writing, Folks. Dave said it is safe for the kids. This is coming from a man who makes his living "protecting the rights and interests of all victims that have been injured through no fault of their own." Of course many of those studies were done two, three and even four years before the toxic turf was installed at the high school in 2010. I stood up at the podium, Dave, to explain how the EPA said that there have not been enough studies done and how the EPA identified all those horrid compounds found in rubber tires. See Appeasing a select few? Dave, please explain these signs to me. I'm confused.

Is this what we are getting for a million dollars at Wildcat and Middle Fields?

How about "De-voting" this Dave? To save face, just tell us that the SAB couldn't raise enough money. Or better yet, just resign.

Please sign this petition if you want to halt public funds for use of artificial turf at Wildcat and Middle Fields.

My 1st RTK in 2010 was about the toxic turf at the High School

Please sign this petition if you want to halt public funds for use of artificial turf at Wildcat and Middle Fields.

I was reminded of my very first Right To Know. As it turns out, it was about the lead content in the artificial turf at the high school. Imagine that. Four years later, I am still writing about toxic turf. The analytical report is disturbing. Our children play on this. Relay for Life uses it every year. OMG.

The High School turf was supplied by General Sports Venue. I tried to reach them by phone, but I think they are no longer in business. That is unfortunate, since our Athletic Director John Grogan wrote such a glowing review to the company. In fact, look at what is on page 4 of the company brochure:

AstroTurf’s GameDay Grass all-rubber infill systems are composed of highly durable cryogenic rubber, extracted from post consumer recycled tires by certified recyclers all across the US. These materials have been rigorously tested by the international scientific communities for both environmental and human health hazards and have been found to pose no risks. In fact, the EPA approves the use of post-consumer tires for the purpose of athletic fields. In a typical field, AstroTurf will use up to 12,000 recycled passenger tires.

Here is what the EPA is saying now.   http://www.epa.gov/nerl/features/tire_crumbs.html  It shouldn't even be in our playgrounds!!!

The AstroTurf at the high school will need repeated antimicrobial treatments due to the standing water caused by poor e-layer drainage.  http://www.astroturfusa.com/

Turfaide is an antimicrobial treatment designed to prevent stringy fungus from clogging the drains. It was not designed to kill MRSA. Turfaide needs to be applied every 90 days. According to  http://www.antimicrobial.com/products/turfaide/, it takes 240 gallons of the stuff to cover our 72,000 sq. ft. It costs $169.99 for 5 gallons or http://www.centaurmaintenancesupplies.com/newproducts.html $157.99 for 5 gallons
http://www.shopwechem.com/products/turfaide-spc-d__turfaide-spc-d-spc-.aspx
We'll say, at $160 for 5 gallons, it's $32 a gallon. $32 times 240 gallons is $7,680 every 3 months or $30,720 a year.

The FAQ says a specialist needs to apply the product:
http://www.fieldprotect.com/faq.html

Q.Can I apply it myself?
A.No. The long-lasting treatments of TurfAide 2 and TurfAide 4 must be applied by Sport Coatings certified applicators due to EPA regulations. However, the entry level maintenance program of TurfD involves training of a local field manager on the proper application technique so that subsequent applications may be self-applied.

Check out this article about Turfaide and MRSA:

William C.H. White, who also happens to be the CEO of AEGIS Environments, which produces the microbe material in TurfAide: "The idea that we are controlling disease organisms, we don't make any claims about that. And we won't. The microbe problems on synthetic fields have to do with biofilms causing sliming and plugging of drainage. They have to do with staining. What we're concerned about are the odors that can be generated both by aerobic and anaerobic organisms within the matrix. These are things that can be avoided to increase the life and functionality of the field."
But is applying anti-microbial products on a field a viable solution?
Hageman isn't so sure. "When it comes to turf, we do not know if that will prevent infection," he said. "There's just no data to support that it prevents infection."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: David Reese
Date: July 19, 2010 10:11:10 AM EDT
To: "'John Ewing'","'Dan Goff'"
Subject: RE: California sues Astroturf
I’m breaking my self-imposed rule of ignoring you. Probably Ed Kubit, along with a host of other people, has the same self-imposed rule.
As usual, you go off half-cocked over a subject you know virtually nothing about. Our consultant, Milo George (one of the foremost natural and artificial turf experts in the country), specified the turf properties and appropriate e-layer that best fit the requirements of our athletic programs (in general, a monofilament fiber, all rubber infill, 48 oz. face weight, etc.). Manufacturers bid on the spec, not “Tiger Turf”, A-Turf, Field Turf Duraspine or any other number of “brands”. Our coaches and players seem to be absolutely delighted with the product and are anxious to begin play on it. Maybe you should talk to them, eh?
Oh, and just an FYI: we had the old decrepit turf independently tested for lead content last summer when we were trying to get people to respond to the need for replacement. We had a company from Cranberry test it with a Thermo Scientific Niton XRF Analyzer (the same device companies use to test for lead and other elements in toys, consumer goods, etc), and all of the readings came in between 21 and 40ppm. There is no reason to believe that the new turf would show different results.
Whether or not you choose to believe it, we got a first class product at an incredibly fair price.
Maybe you should devote your valuable time and resources to continued stonewalling of the high school renovation. It seems like everyone but you are happy with the new turf.
DGR

So what IS a safe level for lead? The Consumer Product Safety Commission has ordered an enforcement review of marketing of artificial turf products for children because the agency has found lead levels in artificial sports fields above statutory limits in children’s products. Significantly, there is no safe lead exposure level for children.

The following shows the bidding irregularities on the toxic turf back in 2010.

From Josephine Posti's blog http://jposti.blogspot.com/2010_03_01_archive.html:
We will take action on awarding the turf replacement project to the lowest responsible bidder (General Sports Venue) for $406,693. This project was originally estimated to be $750,000. Due to a technical error in the bidding process, we had to re-bid the project, thus action at a public committee meeting.

School Board Approves Turf ReplacementMarch 25, 2010 At the March 25, 2010 Audit/Finance Committee meeting the School Board awarded the High School field complex synthetic turf replacement to General Sports Venue in the amount of $406,693. Work on the turf will begin on June 14 and is scheduled for completion by July 20th, weather permitting.

There should be a movement for turf abatement at the high school. It should be removed from our playgrounds. It is toxic, yet our school board, commission, and staff endorse artificial turf and want even more!

Update May 6, 2014 6:39 PM A reader read this post about standing water on the high school stadium turf. Both photos are from the same area, just taken at different angles at the stadium.

More crap for Cedar residents

The Traffic Board will be meeting tomorrow evening, May 7, 2014, at 7:00 PM in the Commission Chambers.

Agenda item #8:

8. Request to Move Parking to South Side of Cedar Blvd. Between Morgan Drive and Wildcat Field

Please come to the Traffic Board meeting to learn more about this. Email your commissioners. 

Inconsistencies from Brumfield & Co.

I have been trying to keep track of all the stories I have heard concerning turf at Middle and Wildcat Fields. I believe it started with changing the Sign Ordinance. We were told that this amendment will enable the Municipality to sell sponsor signage at our local fields. Did everyone see the single sign sold at Dixon Field? 

Dave Franklin wrote on his Lebo Fields blog,  

"We need this stream of revenue and we have to get creative," resident David Franklin told commissioners. Franklin said Dick's Sporting Goods paid $2.2 million for the naming rights to Dick's Sporting Goods Sportsplex in Graham Park, located in Cranberry Township.

Fact: Dick's Sporting Goods wrote a check [to Mt. Lebanon] for $5,000 and didn't even ask for a sign. - Steve Silverman

In the Post Gazette article, $750,000 OK'd for athletic field upgrades in Mt. Lebanon,

Ms. Linfante agreed, saying improvements "have been years in the making." Fact: It was not presented to Commissioner Fraasch until the beginning of November.  

"I do believe that this project will bring value to every single home in this community," she added. Fact: The recent FAQs for the Mt. Lebanon Assessment Appeal Program mentions nothing about the High School artificial turf adding value. 

"What properties have been appealed? A: The Municipality appealed the assessed value of residential properties that met the following criteria: 

• Sales price greater than $100,000; 

• Difference between sale price and assessed value of $58,000 or more; 

• Ratio between assessed value and sale price of 80% or less for sales in 2006 through 2010 and sales in 2013; and 

• Ratio between assessed value and sale price of less than 85% for sales that occurred in 2011 and 2012." 

The YSA presentation, page 5 claimed that adding artificial turf to Middle and Wildcat Fields "assumes you can have 2 simutaneous [sic] team practicing on this newly created space." Field teams could have simultaneous practices (space is largest in Mt. Lebanon), page 9.  and 

See page 12 of Field Enhancement Proposal 11.06.13 Fact: This sign is posted at the fields.

Will the sign be removed once the turf goes in?

Wildcat and Middle Fields are in terrible condition. Fact: See photo below.

Soccer will have its first and only regulation width field (70 yard).  See page 9 YSA 2012 Field Project Analysis & Recommendation.  John Bendel's presentation, page 7 claimed that the fields would be 170'x345' Fact: The soccer field will be 165x320, not 180x360. The area will be smaller than the High School and Jefferson fields.  Toxic Newcomers Turf will cost more

John Bendel's presentation, page 7 No additional lights at this time. Fact: Conduit is being added to the field for additional lights.

On November 8, 2010, the Mt. Lebanon Commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance authorizing an agreement allowing the School District to utilize 40 spaces in the commissioners’ lot during regular school hours. Shared Parking Agreement Is the Commissioners' Lot being properly maintained? Fact: See below.

 

Is this how they are going to maintain Middle and Wildcat Fields?

Artificial turf to be replaced every 8 years. Long-term Project Cost – 16 years Middle/Wildcat Project Page 14  Fact: See the three high school field photos below: 

Three years, ten months old

Three years, ten months old

Three years, ten months old

These fields never flood. Drainage improvements not required. See page 12 - Athletic Fields - Review of Alternatives Prepared by The Gateway Engineers, Inc. March 2012

From Dave Brumfield's Field Failure (Saved in Google Docs):

"Based on estimates developed by the youth sports representatives this plan would have cost $750,000-$900,000. Included in those options would be an eco-friendly turf option."

Gateway's Opinion of Cost for organic fill $999,770 See page 13. Fact: New cost estimate is $1.57 million for organic infill. Commission Discussion Session April 28, 2014

"I did not believe that people were accurately reflecting what had occurred over the last few months when they discussed these issues."
                                                               - Dave Brumfield

Coming soon: Dave Brumfield shares his sources where, "Unfortunately the information you are being directed to [on Lebo Citizens] is inconsistent with studies from California, New York and even the Netherlands. This is not something that I or the Commissioners entered into without research. There is a reason that educational and governmental entities are installing turf at an ever increasing rate. For playability, predictability and efficiency it is the best surface."

Bridge sinking three inches?

Any truth to the rumor that the new bridge at the high school has sunk three inches? Or that the gym has sunk? I just heard that this morning. Truth be told, I have not listened or watched any construction updates, so please forgive me if this is old news or inaccurate information.

While I am on the subject of our high school crown jewel, a Lebo Citizens reader has sent me photos of our artificial turf that was installed at the high school in 2010. For those of you who have not been up there, it looks like a rat's nest.

Installed July 2010

Installed July 2010

Installed July 2010

Installed July 2010

Installed July 2010

Installed July 2010

Installed July 2010

Installed July 2010

Installed July 2010

The blades of "grass" are flat and matted. Rubber tire infill is all over the track. It is worn along edges of the field where use is limited. Seams are coming apart. The school district is to maintain the new toxic turf at Middle and Wildcat Fields, or that is what the Mt. Lebanon High School Athletic Director has committed to. Where is School Board Director Ed Kubit? He is the school district liaison on the Sports Advisory Board. He has been missing in action at the SAB meetings. Why hasn't he presented any information to his peers on the school board about this alleged field maintenance agreement? We just know about general discussions between the two Roycroft royals.

"For The Board" Cappucci wrote to a constituent about these photos. Here is her response.

From: Elaine Cappucci [mailto:ECappucci@mtlsd.net]
Sent: Friday, May 2, 2014 1:16 PM
Subject: RE: high school turf
The high school turf is properly groomed/maintained regularly (at least once per month). The loft in the turf will vary depending on when it was groomed and how much activity has occurred on the turf.
Elaine Cappucci

Obviously I am not a sports jock, but how much activity occurs on the edges of the field? The worn and matted appearance is consistently bad everywhere on the field.

Even the curbs near the high school stadium are a disaster. Can't Mt. Lebanon maintain anything properly?

For a $1 million+, let's remove this:

Installed ????

So that we can have this:

Installed July 2010

Please sign this petition if you want to halt public funds for use of artificial turf at Wildcat and Middle Fields.

From the same people who bring you toxic turf, comes this FAQ for Newcomers UPDATED 3X

Mt. Lebanon has just issued this friendly Mt. Lebanon Assessment Appeal Program FAQ. They saved the best for last.

Q: Will Mt. Lebanon continue the appeals program next year?
A: The Commission has not yet made that determination.

What? Kristen Linfante bought her house in 2005. Steve Silverman bought his house in 2005. They stopped at 2006. They have not made the determination to continue the appeals program next year? No wonder Dave Brumfield was speechless when asked to define the word, "Fairness."

Mike Suley submitted this opinion piece to The Trib, Disclose appeal formulas. I have not heard anything about last night's Newcomer's Tax meeting, which was scheduled concurrently with the educational forum on artificial turf. Some may say that John Bendel left the educational forum early to attend the Newcomer's Tax meeting, but he left well before the start of the Newcomer's Tax meeting.

Newcomers, care to comment on your meeting last night? Would you consider signing a petition on say...halting spending surplus tax dollars on artificial turf voted by Kristen Linfante, Dave Brumfield, John Bendel, and supported by Steve Silverman? Keep in mind how President Linfante treated you at commission meetings. FYI, Dave Brumfield has wanted artificial turf for years and has found just the way to fund it.

Please sign this petition if you want to halt public funds for use of artificial turf at Wildcat and Middle Fields.

Update May 2, 2014 7:01 AM Why is Commissioner Linfante's underassessed house on the market?

http://85roycroftavenue.howardhanna.com  

Update May 4, 2014 5:45 PM Newcomers, don't miss Susan Morgans' editorial in this month's mtl Magazine.

Update May 6, 2014 11:15 AM Assessment games: Allegheny County's failure to produce and maintain a fair and regular system of property tax assessments — and, in some instances, actively working to undermine that system — has produced what you might expect: local municipalities and school districts attempting to use the appeals process to engage in nothing less than spot assessment. This end around is dubious public policy and has the perverse effect of not only pitting neighbor against neighbor but perpetuating unconstitutional taxation. All of this nonsense must stop.

ESB misrepresented...AGAIN

Please sign this petition if you want to halt public funds for use of artificial turf at Wildcat and Middle Fields.

On November 25, 2013, the then commission liaison, Kristen Linfante, "misrepresented" the Environmental Sustainability Board's position concerning artificial turf. This has been well documented here and in municipal meeting videos. Old news. But what people do not realize is that the ESB also has a school board liaison, none other than "For The Board" President Elaine Cappucci. The following email exchange between a resident and Cappucci reveals that the ESB has been misrepresented AGAIN.

From: Questioning Resident
Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2014 9:51 PM
To: Elaine Cappucci
Subject: turf maintenance

Hi Elaine, 

From my understanding if the Wild Cat/Middle field turf project goes through, residents were told that the school district would perform the required routine maintenance in exchange for not being charged field use. 

Has anything been decided on this as of yet? 

Thank you Elaine, 

Questioning Resident
Mt. Lebanon, PA

****

From: Elaine Cappucci [mailto:ECappucci@mtlsd.net]
Sent: Monday, April 28, 2014 2:08 PM
To: Questioning Resident
Subject: RE: turf maintenance 

The Board has not had any discussion about this at this time. 

Elaine

****

From: Questioning Resident
Sent: Monday, April 28, 2014 2:50 PM
To: Elaine Cappucci
Subject: RE: turf maintenance

Thank you for your reply Elaine,
Is there going to be any discussion about this in the future? If so, may I ask when?
Has there been any discussion between the Municipality and the school district regarding this issue? Have any rough drafts on a proposal been given to the school board?
Residents of Mt. Lebanon are really trying to get answers to simple questions but for some reason simple answers to simple questions are really hard to come by. 

Thank you again Elaine,
Q.R.

****

From: Elaine Cappucci [mailto:ECappucci@mtlsd.net]
Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2014 8:38 PM
To: Questioning Resident
Subject: RE: turf maintenance 

Q.R.,
There have been discussions within the Sports Advisory Board, which John Grogan is a part of, and I have had a general conversation with Kristen Linfante, the commission president regarding the plans for the fields. I do not have more information than that at this time, so I do not know when it will come up for Board discussion. 

Elaine

****

From: "Questioning Resident"
Date:04/30/2014 12:21 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: 'Stephen Feller' ,'David Brumfield'
Cc: 'Dan Deiseroth'
Subject: RE: turf costs 

Mr. Feller,
Thank you for the information.

...One other question, why is the township dragging their feet on getting a maintenance agreement drafted to present to the school district? A little bit of a whopper of a tale was told at the discussion meeting and the commission meeting on Monday night when it was told that there was an agreement, only to have Mr. Brumfield write me in an email yesterday stating “The agreement has not been prepared but the Athletic director has agreed to the general terms.” So how can there be an agreement if the agreement hasn’t even been prepared? Communicating with Elaine Cappucci, the school board makes the final decision not the Athletic director and they have nothing in front of them to agree to.

Thanks again Mr. Feller,
Q.R.

****

From: dbrumfield@mtlebanon.org [mailto:dbrumfield@mtlebanon.org]
Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2014 1:52 PM
To: Questioning Resident; 'Stephen Feller'
Cc: 'Dan Deiseroth'
Subject: RE: turf costs 

The school district is participating in the Sports Advisory Board with their representatives. The SAB made the recommendation with the knowledge and consent of those representatives. The school board and the commission will both have to approve a written agreement to make it official but it is the clearly stated intent of all the parties. 

Dave
Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Smartphone

Here we go again. Brumfield 's Sports Advisory Board calling the shots. Why aren't the school board liaison to the commission Mike Riemer and commission liaison to the school board Kelly Fraasch being consulted? Why is Cappucci having a general conversation with Linfante regarding plans for the fields? Was it in the middle of Roycroft Avenue?

How can Mt. Lebanon Athletic Director commit to agreements prior to school board approval? Municipal funds were designated to turf Middle and Wildcat Fields by a three vote majority on November 25, 2013. As of April 29, 2014, the school board has not had a discussion about field maintenance at Middle and Wildcat Fields? Why is that? If there is no maintenance agreement, then does the school district lose their slots, as Dave Brumfield confirmed when I posed the question during Citizen Comments?

When did ESB liaison Cappucci have a general conversation regarding plans for the fields with the ESB? Or even with ESB liaison Kelly Fraasch? Where is the transparency? Or was all this part of a back room deal during the PRIVATE Turf Project Task Force where two residents were refused admittance?

In a word, tonight's educational forum on artificial turf was ALARMING. The two speakers were surprised at how little research was done by the three members of the commission. They would never have purchased a car this way. Where were the commissioners tonight? Kelly Fraasch was there. John Bendel was there briefly and left. No other commissioners. Nobody from the SAB. No one from Gateway Engineering. No municipal staff. No school district staff, unless you count Matt Kluck, who is the golf team coach. No school board directors, not even ESB liaison and school district president "For the Board" Elaine Cappucci.

Mrs. Cappucci, you have a Master's Degree from Duke University in Environmental Management. On Linkedin, you have endorsements in Environmental Compliance, Environmental Consulting, Environmental Permitting, Environmental Impact Assessment, Environmental Policy, Environmental Issues, and a B.A. in Biology! Don't you share the same concerns about toxic artificial turf, as many of us do?

It is unfortunate that I was unable to record the meeting. I was in tears over what I heard tonight. As president of our school board, you are the Grand Poobah of Child Advocacy in Mt. Lebanon. I demanded Kristen's resignation for misrepresenting the ESB, among other things. Elaine, you have misrepresented the ESB. You are not a child advocate for our children of Mt. Lebanon. You've got to go too.

Educational Forum on Artificial Turf Tomorrow! UPDATE Photos of trees to be removed

Please sign this petition if you want to halt public funds for use of artificial turf at Wildcat and Middle Fields.

Last night, at the Commission's Dog and Pony Show, a.k.a. the Commission Discussion Session, we were told that organic infill will cost $1.57 million with an annual maintenance to include adding an additional 1/4" organic infill. We also heard that humidity will be created from the cooling system needed to keep the cork infill moist. The SAB does not want organic infill because it floats away. They don't want to admit to flood waters that affect those fields. We are being set up for toxic rubber infill. The Environmental Sustainability Board issued this statement about artificial turf at the February 11, 2014 Commission Discussion Session. Video is here.

Coincidently, an Educational Forum on Artificial Turf in Mt. Lebanon will be held tomorrow evening in the Commission Chambers, starting at 7 PM. I believe Commissioners Fraasch and Bendel will be attending the forum.

EDUCATIONAL FORUM ON ARTIFICIAL TURF IN MT LEBANON
DID YOU KNOW THAT TOWNS/CITIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY ARE CONSIDERING MORATORIUMS ON TURF UNTIL UNBIASED SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IS AVAILABLE ON THE EXPOSURE OF ARTIFICIAL TURF ON CHILDREN’S HEALTH? 

Learn more about the impacts of artificially turfed fields when it comes to our children’s health, water run-off & heat island effects 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30th AT 7-8:30pm 

MUNICIPAL BUILDING IN THE CHAMBERS

For more information please email:  healthylebo@gmail.com
Mt Lebanon Commissioners voted 3-2 to spend $750,000 of taxpayer money to add artificially turfed fields along Cedar Blvd at Wildcat/Middle Fields near the entrance of Main Park.    

In May, a decision will be made about specific design options such as tire crumb rubber in-fill vs organic in-fill.
With such a long-term and expensive investment (over $2.5 million in 8 years),  our community needs to know more about these fields including the short and long-term effects of these materials on our children, coaches and residents nearby.

Educational Forum on Artificial Turf flyer

UPDATE April 29, 2014 9:31 PM Here is something to think about when attending this educational forum on artificial turf. When Phase II begins at Middle and Wildcat Fields, these trees will be removed for the additional parking spaces.

 Broken glass from, at least, the second motor vehicle collision in this location
(entrance to the Phase ll parking "space") in the past month