WILLISTON — A proposed amendment to the town’s noise ordinance — agreed to last month by selectmen and representatives of a local shooting range — has been tabled following criticism of the plan at a public hearing.
The amendment would have retained the North Country Sportsmen’s Club’s regular operating hours and allowed for up to 20 special events a year and four hunter safety courses. The events, which were not to exceed a rolling average of more than 16 a year, could be held on any day of the week.
The proposal tabled Tuesday had been adopted by unanimous vote on Oct. 15.
Several residents living near the gun club on Old Creamery Road voiced their concern about the impact of the new noise regulations on their neighborhood.
Longtime Williston resident Dave Yandell said he was concerned that the language in the amendment would allow for shooting to occur on every Saturday during the summer.
Club president Bob Otty said the wording would give the club more flexibility to schedule events and reduce the reliance on Saturdays for summer events. He also reminded the board that their agreement had to be in accord with a 2017 state Supreme Court ruling.
“I think what we’ve come up with is as compliant as we can both be with the Supreme Court ruling,” Otty said.
Yandell also argued that the provision for 48 hours notice was too short, saying it would be nearly impossible for neighbors who want to plan an outdoor event such as a wedding to know whether it would be interrupted by the sound of gunfire.
“This is something that really affects a lot of people,” Yandell told the board. “I feel like it’s quite reasonable to demand a very high standard.”
Stuart Meyr tried to put the feeling of a gunshot in perspective for the board. He said “it’s startling” when he is out in the woods walking his dog and hears the first gunshot of the day.
“For anyone who’s a hunter and been out there and missed a shot and spooked a deer, you know that it’s startling to an animal,” Meyr said.
He said he was concerned for other neighbors’ dogs, livestock and young children.
Diana Stewart, who lives on the same road as Meyr, said she enjoys her property through birdwatching and observing wildlife, as well as walking her dog. On days the club is open, she said she will hardly see any birds.
“I think the wildlife are really disturbed, as well as pets,” she said.
Stewart said there are times when her dog will be afraid to go outside because of the shots and relieve itself inside the house.
Club members and other residents defended the proposed agreement.
Glenn Bombardier, who said he moved to Old Creamery Road in 1998 knowing the club was there, said the shooting never disturbed him or his children.
“I don’t mind if they shoot everyday, it really doesn’t bother me,” he said.
NCSC board member Mike Weaver said the club is not the only source of gunshots in the neighborhood. He said there are neighbors of the club who shoot Magnum rifles and handguns, which he said are louder than shotguns. Weaver said he wanted to remind the board that the club has always provided notice to the town, and offered to put neighbors on an email list.
Otty said the club recently launched a new website, which will include a calendar that will be updated as soon as events are planned. He did acknowledge that the club occasionally receives short-notice requests, but said most events such as competitions are planned months in advance.
Those voicing opposition to the amended ordinance called on the selectboard to add language regulating the number of Saturday events that could be held. Some cited busy work schedules and the importance of safeguarding their weekend time off.
Selectboard members said they understood the potential impact of the amendment described by neighboring residents and urged greater understanding of the complexities of the situation due in part to the 2017 Supreme Court ruling.
They agreed they needed to revisit the language in the proposed amendment and unanimously decided to table it pending further discussions.
