LEVERETT — Pickleball enthusiasts are seeking to construct two, side-by-side courts on land between the Leverett Library and Leverett Elementary School on Montague Road.
With about 20 participants in weekly matches held at the school on Saturday mornings, members of an ad hoc committee told the Select Board Tuesday that they intend to pursue Community Preservation Act funding at annual Town Meeting next spring, as well as other grants, for what would be a $75,000 project.
“It’s quite popular; we think it would get a fair amount of usage,” said Peter Sylvan, of Teawaddle Hill Road.
Under the plan, the two courts, one of which would be accessible for people who use wheelchairs, would be connected to an accessible trail from the library, with players to park along the street.
But whether the project would get support from residents, and municipal boards, is uncertain, with both the Council on Aging eyeing the same land as space it might activate for senior citizen activities, and a preliminary concept of moving the Field Building, the former library at 1 Shutesbury Road, to the same site to create an expanded campus of municipal buildings.
Select Board member Tom Hankinson called the pickleball court proposal a great idea, but had questions about upkeep.
Select Board Chairwoman Pat Duffy said getting buy-in from neighbors will be critical, observing that in some communities the sounds from pickleball games created problems.
“My biggest concern with this is noise and our noise bylaw,” Duffy said.
In addition, Town Meeting in 2021 approved a measure requiring any change of use to the field between the school and library, or any new permanent structures being placed there, to get the OK from Town Meeting. The concern at that time was possible use of the greenspace for solar arrays connected to the library.
Select Board member Jed Proujansky said his main worry is possibly losing the one large gathering spot for the community, used during the 250th anniversary celebrations in 2024 and where a large commemorative cake was displayed.
Those advocating for the pickleball courts said that similar projects are complete or underway in many big and small towns across the region, and Leverett should be no different.
Richard Nathhorst, a member of the town’s Planning Board, questioned whether the town should dedicate money to a sport that may not last long.
“It’s going to be a fad and gone in a few years,” Nathhorst said.
Fire chief candidate
In other business, the Select Board interviewed a second candidate to become the town’s next permanent fire chief.
Brian Cook resigned from the position in July after four years as its leader. Deputy Fire Chief Amy Rice is serving as the interim chief.
The latest candidate to field questions from the board was Michael Visniewski, the deputy chief of Amherst Fire Department’s call force and a lieutenant with the Leverett force.
In July, the board interviewed Tyler Bryant, a fire lieutenant and paramedic for the Hanson Fire Department.
A search committee recommended two finalists for interviews for the position.
