Robert Grinnage of Church Street approached Catasauqua Council asking that the borough take action on a problem he and his neighbors have been unable to resolve at its June 2 meeting.

According to Grinnage, one of his neighbors, whose backyard also borders on Hickory Street near the intersection with Limestone Street, installed basketball stanchions that are used by neighborhood youths.

Grinnage contends the youth are loud, disrespectful and trespass on his property.

"I had to put 'No Trespassing' signs on my property which I should not need to do," Grinnage said.

In his explanation to council, Grinnage presented documents with research he had done to find support for his proposition that the borough should shut down the basketball court.

According to Grinnage, the basketball players use the street as part of their court.

"There is a nice court two blocks away and I don't understand why they don't go down there and use that court," he said.

Police patrol the area and are called by neighbors when the situation gets out of control.

Borough Police Chief Douglas Kish explained police response to the calls.

"As long as they get out of the way when cars want to use the street and are not blocking the street, we have not made any arrests," he said.

According to Kish, the number of complaints is low.

Councilman Vincent Smith urged Grinnage and his neighbors to continue to report problems.

Solicitor Jeffery Dimmich discussed the situation and indicated council may need to pass an ordinance to control the problem.

According to Grinnage, the homeowner who installed the basketball court does not take any measures to control the situation.

"He says it is a free country when I talk to him," Grinnage said.

The homeowner reduced the size of his backyard by half to accommodate part of the basketball court.

This is not the first time Grinnage made a complaint to the council on this problem. The council agreed to review the problem because it does not appear that the homeowner is cooperating with any of his neighbors.

In other action, council increased the size of the Shade Tree Commission to five members and removed a handicapped parking space at 123 Pine St.