Pennington Borough Council met on October 4, 2021 for their regular meeting. Mayor James Davy led the meeting with several updates on Borough projects.
Davy issued a proclamation recognizing Mike and Jill Wyckoff for their assistance in the renovation of the Senior Center. Their company, Wyckoff Roofing, provided labor and roofing materials. Davy expressed thanks to the Wyckoff’s for their donation. A ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for November 10.
Morris Fabian was recognized by the NJ Urban and Community Forestry Department for his work in Pennington. Fabian is an arborist who has done extensive work in the community and Davy congratulated his efforts.
The Emerging American Recovery Act has granted $296,626 to Pennington Borough over the next two years. Davy presented to the Council a water utility improvement plan. Well improvements, testing equipment and a testing program for remote meters. This would eliminate the need to read each meter. The final plan is due to be submitted by January. There will be further meetings to review the allocation of these funds.
The East Welling Road project is scheduled to begin soon. There will be a meeting on November 10 to discuss the project with residents.
Davy reported receiving many emails and messages from residents pertaining to Pickleball courts on Reading Avenue in the Senior Center parking lot and adjoining cul-de-sac. Several residents of Hale Street notified the Mayor that the new activity in the area has produced a noise nuisance.
Davy stated “The reason this is on the agenda is not only because of the concerns raised by the residents but because this has expanded beyond what the Council originally approved.”
Council member Charles Marciante spoke at length on how Pickleball was approved in this location. The conversation became heated as the Council sorted through what exactly was approved and how it was approved.
Many Borough residents spoke both for and against the continuation of use of the area for Pickleball. Marguerite Greener, a Borough resident, spoke on the benefits of the game. “I am a former PhysEd teacher from the WestWindsor-Plainsboro School District, and I think this has been a wonderful outlet for the seniors. We are happy to bring anyone on that wants to play.”
James Creagan, a resident of Hale Street, spoke on his concerns about the Pickleball noise. “The reason I am speaking tonight…is to ask the Council to reconsider the decision to allow the Senior Center area to be used as a Pickleball court…The noise level has been significant.”
Creagan continued, “I was surprised to learn this was something approved and voted on with no notice given to adjacent property owners.”
After listening at length to the residents and Pickleball players, Council voted on a resolution to temporarily disallow the use of pickleball in the parking lot of the senior center and in the cul-de-sac.
The motion proposed a suspension of pickleball to verify insurance coverage and schedule a meeting with local residents. Motion to suspend Pickleball carried with a vote of 4-2 in favor of suspending the game. A meeting to revisit the issue was scheduled. A Special Meeting of the Pennington Borough Council will take place over Zoom on Monday, October 18 at 6pm.
