Bolton's Conservation Commission reviewed a proposal to convert a town baseball field from natural grass to synthetic turf, with the panel holding its vote until its conservation agent completes a site visit.

BOLTON --

TOWN -- The Bolton Conservation Commission held a public hearing Sept. 15 on a request for an amended order of conditions covering 12 Green Road (DEP file number 112-0745), tied to a school district proposal to convert a previously approved natural grass baseball field to synthetic turf. Project representatives told the board the field's footprint and fence line would stay the same, aside from a small outfield bump out to accommodate a multi purpose field, and that removing the natural turf's drainage crown would let the project take out site walls that currently line the field. The applicant's engineers said the synthetic surface, along with a gravel base beneath it, would send more water directly into the ground rather than to piped drainage systems, without increasing overall flow toward nearby wetland resource areas. The team said the turf's infill is an organic material rather than crumb rubber, which they said reduces concerns about microplastics reaching groundwater, and noted the field's LED lighting design and PFAS questions were already reviewed and accepted by the Planning Board, which approved the application the previous Wednesday. The existing stadium turf field is not part of this project. No members of the public spoke during the hearing. Commission members said they want conservation agent Rebecca to complete a site visit before voting, with a decision expected at a future meeting.

Compiled from team and league reports, reader submissions, and local coverage.