Residents raise pickleball-safety, roadway and ADA concerns during Shrewsbury work session

During public comment at the April 28 Shrewsbury Board of Aldermen work session, two residents raised safety and access concerns the board did not resolve during the meeting.

James Holmes submitted a written comment asking the city to increase pickleball court fence height from 4 to at least 6 feet. Holmes wrote that “a 4-foot fence does not function as an effective stopping barrier,” cited rising national pickleball injury rates and referenced orthopedic and sports-medicine associations in support of higher fencing to reduce falls and fracture risk. The comment was submitted in advance and entered into the meeting record; no staff response or formal action on court fencing was recorded in the minutes.

Jennifer Schook spoke in person about local roadway and event-access issues. She reported that the roadway on Murdoch Avenue appears to be sinking, that overgrown vegetation is obstructing visibility at three stop signs in the area creating near blind intersections, and that road closures during St. Michael’s picnic limit residents’ ability to access their streets; she requested accommodations so residents can enter and exit during the event. The minutes do not record a staff reply or an assignment for repairs or vegetation trimming.

During his comments (recorded as James ‘Homer’ Holmes in the minutes), the resident also said he had asked Fire Chief Chris Amenn about the timing and operation of the city’s tornado sirens and inquired how City Administrator Dustin Ziebold could become involved with ADA-related easement concerns in front of the post office. Holmes offered his availability to assist the city but the minutes do not reflect any immediate follow-up commitments by staff.

None of the public-comment concerns resulted in immediate board action at the session. The board moved to closed session and adjourned; the next meeting is scheduled for May 12, 2026.