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Residents urge removal or relocation of Broad Street basketball court, cite late-night noise and safety risks
Summary
Several Broad Street residents told the Recreation Committee on May 28 that a nearby basketball court causes persistent late-night noise, unsafe traffic in a school zone, trash and public‑urination; residents asked for hoops removal, school-zone signs and parking restrictions and the committee voted to close public comment and place input on file.
Several residents from Broad Street told the Chicopee Recreation Committee on May 28 that a nearby basketball court and park activity have caused years of late-night noise, safety risks for nearby children and ongoing sanitation issues.
"We have lived in our home for 44 years. We are here today to address the ongoing issues that we experienced due to the location of the basketball Court," resident Elizabeth Goebel said, describing repeated late-night loud music, shouting, trash and instances of urination and trespassing near neighbors' yards. She asked for school-zone speed-limit signs and removal of the basketball hoops "at the very least." (Elizabeth Goebel, 53 Broad Street.)
Kerry Young, whose property abuts Fairview Park, told the committee she was "concerned because it's a school, there's kids in the park" and said a homeless individual has been observed urinating and defecating around the playground areas and prompted a recent 911 call when the person appeared hypothermic. (Kerry Young, 17 Broad Street.)
Denise Goebel urged moving the court because of its proximity to the road and the frequency of nighttime activity. She described absent school-zone signage, lack of crosswalks and no-parking areas and recommended removing the parking lot adjacent to the court or placing hedges to reduce noise while preserving police sightlines. (Denise Goebel, 31 Broad Street.)
Rick Ramos, a neighbor, supported the previous speakers and said late-night gatherings—sometimes involving multiple parked cars and disruptive behavior—interfere with household members' sleep and community safety. "I think immediate attention needs to be taken," he said. (Rick Ramos, 39 Broad Street.)
Councilor Abigail Arriaga moved to close public input; Councilor Bill Courchesne seconded the motion, and the committee voted unanimously to close public comment. Councilor Jerry Roy then moved to place the public input on file; Courchesne seconded and the motion passed with unanimous recorded yes votes by the five members present.
Chairman Courchesne also asked staff to check other maintenance issues raised during public comment; Benjamin Strepka said he would inspect a hollow tree stump at Ray Ash Park and refer it to Forestry if necessary. The committee recorded the comments and took the items under advisement; no ordinance, relocation or immediate removal of facilities was enacted at the meeting.
