Special exception modifications to allow the Town to bring in dual synthetic turf athletic fields and many more improvements to the Walsh Intermediate School (WIS) fields were approved, with conditions, by Branford’s Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) on Oct. 5, following a review that included a public hearing which began in September and closed Oct. 5.

The unanimous approval involved a vote of PZC members during a Zoom-based meeting, which was recorded by BCTV. Voting in favor on Oct. 5 were PZC chairman Charles “Chuck” Andres and members Marci Palluzzi, Fred Russo, Joseph Vaiuso, and Massimo Liguori. The PZC approval for the site plan follows Branford Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission approval in June, following its review.

The improvements will create a more robust facility for school programs, as well as townwide recreational sports use. School use will be first and foremost for consideration of use.

The project scope incorporates the existing softball field, outdoor activity areas, the current field and track, and surrounding areas. The lower turf field will be striped for football and soccer, and the western field will be utilized for soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey. The improvements involve multiple program and outdoor activities items, including a new accessible playground, accessible walkways, some renovation to extend the softball (right field) and add dark-sky-compliant lighting (on five lighting poles of 60 feet in height), a new basketball court that doubles as accessible routes to use different areas, a secondary playcourt with some hard surface play areas, restroom facility, a second swing set, an accessible 14-foot wide walkway that surrounds the dual turf fields, outdoor classroom and amphitheater, a revision to an existing accessible walkway, an outdoor education overlook, new rain gardens, a pollinator garden, and areas around the existing fields given back to create more of an environmental buffer.

Improvements to bring in the dual turf fields will include dark-sky-compliant field lighting with additional night play field ball-tracking lights (required to allow players to see above and beyond the height of field lights). Lighting will only be implemented during the needed time periods of gameplay and extinguished within an hour of the end of play, as the lights dim to move participants out of the field area. Two poles on the end of the fields will be 100 feet in height, while two poles on either side of the fields (total of four) will be 80 feet in height.

Photometrics show field light foot candle levels reaching zero at the point of neighboring property lines. The average height of the surrounding tree canopy is 40 to 60 feet. The LED bulbs are directional full cut-off, with the heads of all field lights pointed onto the fields and shielded to direct the lighting arrays away from outside areas.

The project’s drainage improvements to bring in the dual turf fields involve raising a segment by two feet to level and provide necessary drainage, with needed water capture and catchment infrastructure to include installations beneath the fields to improve storm drainage water runoff.

The field’s carpeting and infill of rubber and sand mix will be required to meet specifications and pre-site delivery testing to ensure the materials meet Department of Environmental and Energy (DEEP) and national standards for safety.

A total of 17 trees will be removed, and 12 new trees will be planted at the site. At least five native trees will be planted to assist with roadside screening.

The WIS field improvement project is the first among many being discussed as part of the townwide Branford Athletic Facilities Strategic Plan.

The WIS application to the PZC was submitted by the Town of Branford via First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove with a request for a special exception modification for field improvements at the WIS site located at 185 Damascus Road.

The planned improvements at WIS are part of a multi-phase, townwide fields study and improvements project that has begun gathering public input through surveys and meetings that started in the spring.

The study is also considering options for improvements to fields and points at Town property including Foote Memorial Park, Sliney Park, Town Open Space locales, Shoreline Greenway Trail Site at the town-owned Tabor Property, Ecology Park, Branford High School, Mary Tisko Elementary School, Mary T. Murphy Elementary School, Patty’s Park, Veteran’s Memorial Park, Parker Memorial Park, West Point Park, Youngs Pond Park, Flax Mill Soccer Fields, Branford Hills Park and Hammer Field.

A third public input meeting on the townwide project is set for Tuesday, Oct. 17 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Joeseph Trapasso Community House at 46 Church Street.

Information on the townwide plan can be viewed at branfordathleticfacilities.com.