At the Sept. 29 Morristown Town Council meeting, residents urged the council to address reduced hours, ongoing noise and the pending closure of the town’s pickleball courts, prompting council members and the mayor to say administrators are seeking a new location and weighing complaints and legal risks.

The issue drew sustained public comment from multiple residents. "You spent $130,000 to build really nice pickleball courts," said Ed Peters of 142 Washington Street, who said hours were cut from a previously broader schedule to 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Saturday and that the announced closure effective Dec. 1 appeared to him to be permanent. Peters said the schedule change excludes many residents who work weekdays and conflicts with a town recreation class on Saturdays.

The matter matters, neighbors said, because players and residents clash over when courts are available and the sound of play. Peters said he measured noise levels himself and saw a high around 70 decibels near open areas, falling to about 60 decibels at side locations; he emphasized the readings vary with conditions. Another resident who identified themself as Eckler, of Windmill Pond, told the council the courts are often empty and raised reports that a court lock had been broken and outsiders had used the facilities at unauthorized times.

Councilman Russo thanked speakers and said the administration has been "working day and night" to strike a balance. "We're trying to be respectful to the pro pickleball community and to those who are having issues with the noise," Russo said, adding that the council is hearing both sides.

Mayor (name not specified) said staff had provided a distance measurement between the courts and the closest residents and that the town is looking for a new site. The mayor also told the council he had been informed of a lawsuit in another jurisdiction tied to loud music used in response to pickleball noise, and he said the town must consider distance, noise impacts and residents' concerns before finalizing permanent arrangements.

Council members and the mayor said they are working with Councilwoman Chiva Foster and Councilwoman Lindsay to identify an alternative site and that an announcement is expected soon; no formal motion or vote on relocating the courts took place during the meeting.

The town has refunded some users $12.50, according to public comments, and staff said they are reviewing access controls and scheduling. Council members repeatedly encouraged residents to continue communicating concerns to their council representatives while the administration develops options and potential next steps.

No ordinance or binding decision on the courts was adopted at the Sept. 29 meeting; the matter remains under administrative review and subject to future council action.