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Residents raise noise, enforcement concerns as council delays Kent Street court lighting decision
Summary
After residents warned that lights would extend evening pickleball play and create disruptive noise, the council voted to continue the Kent Street lighting funding discussion and tie it to an ordinance setting enforceable hours.
The Barrington Town Council continued debate Wednesday about installing lights at the Kent Street courts after residents and some councilors urged caution about noise, enforcement and spending ARPA funds before an ordinance sets enforceable hours.
Resident Michael Johnson told the council that "pickleball is quite different than tennis, that it's loud. It's a staccato noise," and warned that lights would "encourage play later and disrupt" evening hours in a quiet residential neighborhood. Johnson said nearby lighted courts exist and that the primary neighborhood concern is noise rather than tennis play.
Councilors said they were reluctant to spend roughly $78,500 (bid figures discussed in packet materials) when an ordinance establishing hours—required for enforceability—has not been introduced or decided. Several councilors said funding and installation should coincide with the ordinance process so a future council cannot later broaden hours once lights are in place.
After discussion the council voted to continue the lighting funding decision and to coordinate further action with the ordinance and hours debate; the motion to continue passed unanimously. Councilors also noted a December 31 ARPA allocation deadline and asked staff to track any timelines tied to unspent ARPA funds.
