Glastonbury Ballot Questions Covering School Roofs And Turf, Fire Apparatus

GLASTONBURY, CT — Three local questions appear on the Glastonbury municipal election ballot for 2025.

They address school roof projects, obtaining new fire equipment and additional artificial turf at Glastonbury High School.

They require yes or no answers.

Here they are:

Question 1

• Shall the Town of Glastonbury appropriate $8,220,000 for the roof replacements at Glastonbury High School and Naubuc Elementary School and authorize the issue of bonds and notes in the same amount to finance the portion of the appropriation not defrayed by grants or other funds?

Question 2

• Shall the Town of Glastonbury appropriate $3,200,000 for the acquisition of two fire tank apparatus and authorize the issue of bonds and notes in the same amount to finance said appropriation?

Question 3

• Shall the ordinance, proposed by citizen petition, which reads: “No additional artificial turf greater than 100 square feet, beyond the existing artificial turf field at Glastonbury High School, shall be permitted in any public place. The term ‘artificial turf’ also known as ‘synthetic grass’, shall include any material composed of plastic, rubber, or any other synthetic fiber or material which simulates, in appearance or function, a natural grass field” be approved?

The issue of more artificial turf fields came up last spring when a group called the "Grassroots Coalition" was formed, "to give voters a voice on the installation of new artificial turf fields on public property."

The group posted the following message on social media:

"Right now, Glastonbury High School has one artificial turf field, which is not affected by our effort. However, the Board of Education is considering adding at least two more, each costing over $1.2 million, with replacement costs around $900,000 about every 8-10 years. Beyond the financial burden, we’re concerned about player health, safety risks, and the environmental impact of artificial turf. We believe in a strong athletic infrastructure and fully support building two high-quality natural grass fields instead."

See the full sample ballot here, courtesy of the secretary of the state's office.