Billerica selectmen approved bond funding for a new recreation center as a developer pitched an indoor pickleball and badminton facility for the Middlesex Turnpike.

BILLERICA --

TOWN -- The Select Board, meeting in special session Aug. 10, voted to approve the issuance of a general obligation bond not to exceed $29,035,000 covering three municipal projects, including $20,335,000 for the town's recreation center. The remainder of the bond covers the Rangeway Road sewer betterment ($4.8 million) and water tank towers ($3.9 million). The board also renewed a bond anticipation note of up to $7,000,000 for the North Billerica Fire Station project. Town Treasurer told the board the general obligation bond drew 12 bidders this year, up from nine last year, which she said reflected favorably on the rates the town secured.

COMMUNITY -- The Planning Board opened a site plan special permit hearing Aug. 10 for a proposed indoor pickleball and badminton facility at 15 Middlesex Turnpike, near the Bedford line. The applicant, BBPA Realty LLC, represented by attorney Jim Dangora, is seeking to tear down the existing building, a site attorney Dangora said has hosted "many, many, many failed restaurants," and replace it with a facility dedicated exclusively to pickleball and badminton courts. The attorney estimated the layout at 10 pickleball courts and five badminton courts. The project still requires a hearing before the Zoning Board of Appeals and has an open, unconcluded filing with the Conservation Commission; the board took no vote and the matter continues.

Compiled from team and league reports, reader submissions, and local coverage.