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New Milford electors approve $721,000 in settlement funds for Petty Bone pickleball courts and toddler bike track
Summary
At a special town meeting, New Milford electors unanimously approved using the landfill/waste management settlement fund to build three pickleball courts with expanded parking and a toddler bike track at Petty Bone, after an engineer’s overview and several residents urged approval.
New Milford electors voted unanimously April 13 to spend settlement funds to build three dedicated pickleball courts and a toddler bike track at Petty Bone.
Chuck Balor, the town’s design engineer, told the meeting the proposal would add three courts with seating, lighting, fencing and sidewalks, rehabilitate and expand the parking lot by about 26 spaces with ADA improvements, and install a roughly one-quarter-mile pedal park with about 14 child features. "As proposed, we came up to a total of $721,000 for both projects as one," Balor said, and noted some septic-abandonment work has already been completed.
The projects would be paid from the landfill/waste management settlement fund. A town official told electors the money would not come from the town’s operating or capital accounts and that the charter permits using settlement funds for recreational purposes.
Residents who spoke during the public comment period urged approval. "There are no designated pickle ball courts in the town of New Milford," said Arthur Hopkins, calling courts a long-needed amenity for local players who now travel to neighboring towns. Oolie Karp, an avid player, said the local TeamReach app shows "over 500 people" in New Milford’s pickleball community and suggested courts could host tournaments and bring economic activity.
After the presentations and public comments, an elector moved to approve spending up to $566,000 from the waste management settlement fund for three pickleball courts with expanded parking and up to $155,000 for a toddler bike track. The motion carried by a unanimous vote recorded at the meeting; the transcript does not record a vote tally or the names of the mover and seconder.
The meeting record shows the council and the board of finance previously reviewed the proposal; this special town meeting provided the final authorization. Officials said next steps include any required permitting and the procurement process for construction and equipment. The meeting adjourned and electors were reminded the town council meets at 7 p.m.
