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New Sag Harbor Field Vote Ahead

Christine Sampson
By
Judy D’Mello

The spirited group of Sag Harbor parents and residents, victorious in December’s shutout of plans for a synthetic turf field at Pierson Middle-High School, will return to vote Wednesday, Feb. 15, on a proposal for an all-natural grass field instead.

“It’s a redirection of funds,” explained Katy Graves, Sag Harbor's superintendent. “We need a majority approval since the 2013 vote was earmarked for a turf field.”

While the new proposal’s money is still allocated for athletic needs, the revised version includes the use of natural grass as well as several multipurpose surfaces and a new playing area for the elementary school. The vote on this change-of-use proposition will determine whether the community grants permission to the school for the money to be redirected.

Sag Harbor’s “turf wars,” as the often contentious 2016 campaign came to be known, regularly drew 40 to 50 vocal parents and residents to school board meetings and forums. Emotions ran high with Main Street and social media abuzz with impassioned cries from both sides, and persuasive yard signs everywhere. Ultimately, the vote against a synthetic field was a resounding 1,016 to 135.

By stark contrast, last week’s presentation of the back-up plan for the grass field was attended by only two parents. Although this could be interpreted as a victory in the bag for the “Keep It Real” side, as proponents of the natural field are calling their campaign, Ms. Graves believes that the Feb. 15 vote will be well attended.

Sag Harbor School District voters can cast ballots in the Pierson High School Gym from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

 

 

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