Canton Select Board Sets Stage for Pickleball Courts: At its January 7 meeting, the Canton Select Board agreed to submit placeholder articles to the Annual Town Meeting warrant for two key projects: addressing drainage issues on Indian Lane and building six new pickleball courts at Pequitside Farm.
Drainage Issue on Indian Lane
Select Board Chair Mike Loughran said the drainage problems on Indian Lane have persisted for years, causing water to pool on the road and creating hazardous, slippery conditions during winter months.
Town Engineer Alfons Koka presented plans to address the issue, estimating costs at $455,000. The proposed improvements would target two sections of Indian Lane, focusing on engineering and surveying work by the Department of Public Works (DPW). Construction is expected to take two to three months.
Pickleball Courts Project
The pickleball courts proposal, first introduced by the Parks & Recreation Department in 2020, has received vocal support from the Canton Senior Center. Initially approved for a $116,600 Community Preservation Act (CPA) grant, the project faced delays when the bid exceeded the budget at $157,000.
The funds were returned to the treasury, and the project was later reconsidered for funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). To qualify, the project had to be “shovel ready” by December 2024.
The current proposal involves building six asphalt-concrete pickleball courts at Pequitside Farm near the community garden. The cost is estimated between $675,000 and $700,000, with potential savings from a donation of excess fill from Canton Holdings.
Plans for the Courts
There are no plans to add lighting at the courts. Select Board members, including Loughran and Koka, agree that the location is suitable and won’t cause noise problems for nearby residents.
Next Steps
Loughran is waiting for cost estimates for the next stage of renovations at the Canton Public Library and plans to continue discussions with town finance officials. If funds aren’t available by the May town meeting, Loughran suggested using mitigation funds to prioritize the drainage project.
News in Brief: Canton Select Board Sets Stage for Pickleball Courts
The Canton Select Board approved placeholder articles for drainage improvements on Indian Lane and the construction of six pickleball courts at Pequitside Farm. The drainage project is estimated at $455,000, while the pickleball courts are expected to cost up to $700,000. The projects will be discussed at the May town meeting.
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