Council delays $1 million pool bond, sends pickleball plan to committee

MARLBOROUGH — August 19, 2024 — Marlborough delays $1M pool bond and refers pickleball plan to committee after neighbor pushback. The City Council voted 11-0 Monday to postpone action on a $1 million bond for municipal pools and splash pads until Sept. 9 at the request of Ward 3 Councilor Robert Preciado, who cited an "overwhelming amount of inquiries" from constituents about design changes. The council also sent a special-permit application from Ambidextrous Ventures LLC for a 19,950-square-foot, six-court pickleball facility at 119 Airport Blvd. to Urban Affairs after five Willows townhouse abutters opposed the project's single outdoor court, citing noise, Farm Road traffic and property values. Resident Ed Barry told councilors engineering guidance recommends roughly 977 feet between outdoor courts and homes; applicant attorney Pamela Brown estimated 600 to 700 feet. Councilors approved a new Donald Lynch Boulevard zoning district 10-0 and accepted $294,909 in state 911 grants for the police dispatch center.