A proposal to install a synthetic turf field at the present Babylon Junior/Senior High School athletic field, which would be funded in part by $600,000 from Suffolk County, has caused heated debate. Those opposed fear that such an arrangement with the County means loss of control of the field and surrounding area, while proponents say the County’s help with this project means Babylon Village taxpayers don’t have to foot the entire bill for a much-needed turf field.

Both sides agree that a state-of-the-art field would be great for Babylon’s young athletes and that the current field is overused and in poor condition. The heart of the disagreement lies in the 60/40 split of the cost, which is estimated at $1 million, followed by safety, parking, sanitation, and maintenance issues that would arise when residents from anywhere in Suffolk could use the field. An outline of the proposal will be presented at the school board meeting Monday, Aug. 15.

Babylon Schools Superintendent William Bernhard, Ph.D said the school district will retain all control of the use of the field as one of the conditions that the board of education insisted upon when it agreed in May 2005 to explore this unique funding partnership with the County. No other school district in Suffolk has ever collaborated with the County in such a way.

"This field would be open for use by other county youth leagues and teams in the middle of winter and in the summer up until mid-August," said Thomas Melito, president of the Babylon board of education. "No Babylon child would ever be bumped. We have priority use of the field."

According to Mayor Ralph Scordino, his office has fielded dozens of calls over the past several weeks from concerned residents who are adamantly opposed to the County’s involvement in this project and want to know what can be done to stop it. Mayor Scordino’s letter, which appeared in the Babylon Beacon on July 28, 2005, outlined his concerns, as well as those of the Village Board.

At the moment, the proposal is far from being a done deal, as the $400,000 local contribution must be raised. That’s where the Babylon Turf Field Fund committee comes in. This independent not-for-profit organization, chaired by village resident Thomas Reynolds, was formed more than a year ago to solicit money from donors to support the installation of a synthetic turf field with lights at the Babylon Junior/Senior High School.

"Some community members came to me and expressed a need for this field. We know we don’t have a huge tax base and our premise from the beginning was to deliver monies for this project lock, stock, and barrel to the school district," said Reynolds.

Currently, some youth league teams are forced to practice and/or play on fields outside the district. This past season, the girls travel soccer team held all home games outside the district.

Earlier this year, all Village residents, area businesses and corporations, and Babylon school alumni received a mailing from the Turf Field Fund asking for donations for the project. The group’s fund raising efforts also included letters to county, state, and federal government bodies asking for their assistance. Suffolk County Legislator David Bishop received one of the letters, and he responded.

It was through Bishop’s efforts that the Suffolk County Legislature authorized the $600,000 for this field from GreenWays Initiative funds. "This field saves County taxpayers money, because its cost is half that of other turf fields," said Bishop. The County will also be able to charge local leagues for the use of the field, but the school district would fully control all scheduling.

"Babylon presents a unique set of circumstances, because of the lack of space," said Bishop. "In almost every other town you can find space to build a field. We can’t do that in Babylon. This is the only solution."

But the solution may be part of the problem from the Village’s point of view. The school district has allowed sports teams on multiple levels to proliferate through the years, contributing to the wear and tear of the athletic field.

Neighboring school district Lindenhurst and Copiague–recently installed synthetic fields to accommodate the increasing usage. However, these projects were fully funded by taxpayers through bond referendums.

Melito said when the district presented the bond referendum in 2000 for the elementary school expansion, the board at that time, considered including the cost of a synthetic field at the Junior/Senior High School, but decided against it because "it was just asking too much."

"That’s why this County offer is so attractive. We can’t continue to ask our residents for money," said Melito.

In the meantime, the 10 members of the Babylon Turf Field Fund continue to remain optimistic about raising the $400,000 to $500,000 needed to cover the cost of the field. They’re planning fund raisers at local Babylon restaurants and have a commitment from the Post Office Cafe that proceeds from its 5K Run in 2006 would go to the Turf Fund. If there is still a balance, taxpayers would be asked to pick up the rest through a bond vote.

"The County came to us with this $600,000 offer. For us to turn it down without giving the residents a choice would be irresponsible of us," said Superintendent Bernhard. "People ask us to come up with creative ways for funding all the time. This is a creative way."

Still, the Mayor and Village trustees worry that a "county park" in the middle of Babylon Village will cause more problems than it solves. From adequate bathroom facilities to garbage pickup, these are the type of issues that concern the village and many residents.

"We’re not advocating that this happen. All we did was agree to explore this project," said Melito. "After 10 years, the County is out of the picture and the school district regains exclusive use of the field. This county field is essentially a gift."

Ultimately, it will be the taxpayers who decide on the fate of the synthetic turf field. Melito said that regardless of whether the Babylon Turf Field Fund raises all the remaining money, the issue will be presented to voters.

Residents will have a chance now to voice their opinions about this project at the upcoming board of education meeting on Monday that begins at 8:15 p.m. at the high school library.