Pickleball noise at 179 Main Street

The abutter at 193 Main Street asked the board to deny the pickleball courts, saying the noise study was compromised because it excluded his property and its reviewer was an active pickleball instructor.

An abutter at 187 Main Street read from an acoustic study on the psychological effects of noise, saying courts produce about 900 pops per hour and may be linked to anxiety, stress, and PTSD-like symptoms.

A resident of 193 Main Street with an office nearby said the area is quiet, that combined indoor/outdoor noise isn't being considered, and that he wouldn't be able to enjoy BBQs outside.

Saad, who lives across the street, said the neighborhood is very quiet and she wants to keep it calm and noise-free.

An abutter inside the building downplayed the noise, comparing it to traffic, frogs, and the rail trail, and said the alternatives for the site are worse.

Mullen, of 4 Park Ave and not a direct abutter, thanked the board, asked why the courts can't be moved to the back of the building, and asked what recourse neighbors would have if mitigation fails.

The property owner pushed back on demands for another study, saying they did everything asked, paid for the reports, and pointed to prior industrial uses and nearby school and football noise.