Pickleball Noise Regulation in Falmouth: This week, the select board chose to withdraw a proposed article from the November Town Meeting warrant that aimed to impose strict noise limits on pickleball. The decision was made just before the board was set to vote on the warrant on September 9. The move came after a meeting where acting chairman Edwin P. (Scott) Zylinski II initially planned to exclude public comments on proposed articles.
Public Outcry on Process
Resident and former select board member Troy B.G. Clarkson criticized the board’s approach, arguing that excluding public input was contrary to democratic principles. “To deny citizens the ability—the right—to provide feedback on warrant articles, vote on them and then say, ‘Well, we’ll take public comment later,’ is so antithetical to the form of government we have,” Mr. Clarkson remarked. “It not only saddens me but, frankly, it angers me.”
Concerns Over Strict Limits
As the meeting progressed, Zylinski allowed three minutes of public comment per article. Beach committee chairwoman Barbara P. Schneider and Clarkson voiced strong opposition to the noise article. Dr. Schneider argued that the proposed limit of 47 decibels—lower than any other community’s standard—and the associated $300 fines were excessively stringent. “I think that [the article] is a huge overreach,” Dr. Schneider said. “For us to make this so restrictive and your reach into private courts: I really feel this is a mistake.”
Timeline and Process Criticized
The noise article’s late introduction by town management drew criticism for its rushed nature. Clarkson emphasized that the lack of adequate review time undermined the process. “If you received this proposed bylaw three days ago, it’s nearly impossible for you to have the ability to digest it, to think about it, to deliberate as a board, to seek public input and then put it before the town’s legislative body,” he said. “What’s being proposed is backwards. You don’t put it on the warrant and then seek public input.”
Board Member’s Support for Withdrawal
Select board member Heather M.H. Goldstone supported the decision to pull the article, citing the need for thorough deliberation. “I commend the effort to tackle this problem expediently, but I think we need the time to actually make sure that this is our best work and what we want to put onto the warrant,” Dr. Goldstone said. She emphasized the importance of more public discussion.
Future Considerations
Chairwoman Nancy R. Taylor was absent from the meeting. The board did approve the warrant with 36 other articles, including a $1.9 million petition for a urine-diversion pilot project and a proposal to further regulate short-term rentals. The select board will review each approved article at its October 7 meeting.
News in Brief: Pickleball Noise Regulation in Falmouth
The select board withdrew a proposed article from the November Town Meeting warrant that sought to impose strict noise limits on pickleball after receiving public feedback. Concerns over the article’s stringent decibel limits and rushed introduction prompted criticism from residents, including former board member Troy B.G. Clarkson. Select board member Heather M.H. Goldstone supported the withdrawal, citing the need for thorough review and public discussion. The board approved the warrant with 36 other articles and will evaluate each one at its October 7 meeting.
ALSO READ : No Pickleball Line at Nye Park: Committee Rejects Proposal
