Clarksburg Select Board Votes Reopen Basketball Court
The pad has been in poor condition for years and the board hopes to remove it.
"I know I've fielded a slew of calls wanting to know what was going on with the basketball court, how come the hoops aren't back up," said Select Board Chairman Ronald Boucher. "Yet other communities all have their hoops back up. And I truthfully I feel it's time to get the hoops back up."
He thought the Board of Health had been right in waiting otherwise the town might have been overwhelmed people traveling from other towns. Wednesday, when he asked Board of Health member Cindy Schock if her board's thoughts had changed, she said no.
"We haven't changed it. We are certainly willing to revisit it," she said. "What you had just said about waiting for other towns to open their recreational services certainly played into the decision we made for Clarksburg. ... sounds like it would be a reasonable time to revisit the topic."
Boucher said he respected the Health Board's process and didn't want to overstep any boundaries but was hoping to make decision that night.
Schock said she couldn't speak for the board; it would have to hold a meeting to reassess and make recommendation.
"Basketball is a high risk activity, we're certainly not discouraging getting outdoors in the fresh air and getting exercise, but the basketball hoops may attract, not just our resident teenagers, if you will," she said. "Anybody can come and ... I don't know how you would monitor mask wearing."
Schock said she been told adult leagues had been using the court. Plus, she added, it wasn't just players but people who may gather to watch.
"I certainly understand your perspective and where you're coming from and that has was considered in the decision making," Schock said. "So, being the Board of Health met this moment tonight, the board is not changing their position on that."
Select Board member Danielle Luchi said the hoops were up in North Adams and weren't being policed. She felt players, and their parents, were cognizant of the risks and safety protocols.
I mean I feel like at this point, it's up to your own discretion," she said. "We only have six, seven kids at a time if that down there at the court."
Select Board member Allen Arnold, responding to Schock's comment about adult users, said there were no leagues using the court.
"On Monday night, there is an adult pickup with police officers from North Adams and firemen, that's the only league that goes up there to play," he said. "And it's not even a league, it's recreational."
Schock tried to make a comparison with keeping the Community Center closed but board members said older people inside was not the same as young people outdoors.
"So here's what I'm going to do I'm going to entertain a motion to put the basketball hoops, back up. It's simple as that, effective tomorrow," said Boucher.
The motion passed unanimously. There had been Board of Health meeting scheduled March 31 to discuss the hoops but no members had attended.
The Select Board also decided to put caution tape around the pavilion at Cook Veterans Memorial Field. The concrete pad has buckled and heaved, creating a hazard. The town is looking into removing and is waiting on a quote.
Town Administrator Rebecca Stone said a dance school had requested use of the field for a recital in June and would bring its own portable dance floor. The board had no issues with that but it did prompt a discussion about fees for use of the property. This will be taken up at the next meeting on April 28.
The board also set the town election for Tuesday, May 25, and town meeting for Wednesday, May 26, outside at the Community Center.
