A privately funded plan to upgrade Greenport’s basketball courts came before the Village Board on Thursday — testing whether local officials can move a seemingly slam-dunk community project across the finish line.
Greenport resident Tod Hart, speaking on behalf of himself and Collin Ratsey, presented the board with a roughly $25,000 proposal to revamp the Third Street basketball courts as a “gift” to the village.
The proposal — which Mr. Hart estimated would cost between $22,000 and $25,000 — would bring several upgrades to the courts, including larger polycarbonate backboards, collapsible rims, heavy-duty nets and protective pads on the poles. A smaller, eight-foot hoop would also be installed for younger children.
Mr. Ratsey’s family construction companywould complete the work, and Mr. Hart said the project would be fully funded by their friends and family.
Excitement over the proposal was mixed with concern, and trustees made sure to raise issues neighbors have had with noise in the area.
“I have to be convinced that we are balancing here,” said Deputy Mayor Patrick Brennan. “I like all the ideas about improving the hoops, the pads, all that stuff, but I think with that comes an intensification of use, which I think is going to concern the neighbors.”
Mr. Brennan said he’d like to see a way forward that both improves the court and improves the situation for neighbors. He added that the village doesn’t want to “discourage folks from contributing here,” noting, “we’ve also gotten criticism as a board for not being able to implement anything.”
“That’s what I don’t want to happen, is to kick the can down the road,” Mayor Kevin Stuessi said. “We have an incredibly generous couple of donors willing to do the work.”
Mr. Hart said he has met with a neighbor in the area to hear concerns about noise. He said there would be tennis court-style silk screening on the fences, and the new rims would be designed to absorb some of the noise.
Trustee Mary Bess Phillips also reminded the board that it would be the village’s responsibility to maintain the court once the proposed project was completed.
Source: The Suffolk Times
