Rutland Herald
By Emily Cutts
staff writer | May 16,2015
staff writer | May 16,2015
KILLINGTON — The Select Board and residents began their discussion about gun noise issues in the area with a possible solution.
At their May 5 meeting, the board and area residents heard the police chief’s recommendation about how to deal with the issue.
“I think a limited ordinance, not overbearing, something that says we expect people to be responsible with their guns, is important,” said Patty McGrath, chairwoman.
Police Chief Whit Montgomery presented the possible ordinance and state statutes related to the issue.
Montgomery introduced the idea of a restricted firearm discharge area within the town. Many of the areas he listed were close to hiking trails or areas frequented by families and children.
The following areas were recommended as restricted areas:
U.S. Route 4 and River Road running north to the intersection with Route 100 North; Killington Road and Schoolhouse Road to their end at Killington Elementary School; Dean Hill Road and Roaring Brook Road running north to the intersection with High Ridge Extension Road; Route 100 North and Barrows Towne Road running west to its end; and Killington Road and West Park Road running west to their end.
The restricted areas continue 200 yards off both sides of the listed roads.
“Some of the concern was keeping it away from the areas of River Road where there is human activity, where we have been encouraging recreational activity,” McGrath said at the meeting. “Nobody intends to do something stupid but we all unfortunately make choices that we’re maybe unaware of somebody else’s choices.”
According to the chief’s notes on the possible ordinance, it would not apply to residents firing guns for “destroying of animals” that pose an immediate danger to people or property or are seriously injured or diseased. It would not apply to hunting.
Montgomery introduced a possible fee schedule for noncompliance with the ordinance.
The noise issue was first brought to the board at the April 21 meeting. According to draft minutes from the meeting, residents noted an increase in the activity recently and that it was “unbearable and dangerous.”
“There has been a tremendous amount of calls this year,” Montgomery said. He added that in the 16 years he’s been with Killington Police, he has never received this many complaints before.
Dylan Partridge spoke at the May 5 meeting about his gun use. He said coming from Connecticut, he was happy that he was able to use his gun and didn’t know that he was upsetting his neighbors until a state trooper dropped by.
“I wish she would have come talk to me,” Partridge said at the meeting. He recommended an open line of communication to notify neighbors in the area to keep everyone “comfortable” and so that no one felt threatened.
“We support your right, but at the same time we support the right of everybody to be able to enjoy and use those roads,” McGrath said.
All of the chief’s notes are available on the town’s website. A further meeting to discuss the recommendations has not been set yet.
emily.cutts @rutlandherald.com
At their May 5 meeting, the board and area residents heard the police chief’s recommendation about how to deal with the issue.
“I think a limited ordinance, not overbearing, something that says we expect people to be responsible with their guns, is important,” said Patty McGrath, chairwoman.
Police Chief Whit Montgomery presented the possible ordinance and state statutes related to the issue.
Montgomery introduced the idea of a restricted firearm discharge area within the town. Many of the areas he listed were close to hiking trails or areas frequented by families and children.
The following areas were recommended as restricted areas:
U.S. Route 4 and River Road running north to the intersection with Route 100 North; Killington Road and Schoolhouse Road to their end at Killington Elementary School; Dean Hill Road and Roaring Brook Road running north to the intersection with High Ridge Extension Road; Route 100 North and Barrows Towne Road running west to its end; and Killington Road and West Park Road running west to their end.
The restricted areas continue 200 yards off both sides of the listed roads.
“Some of the concern was keeping it away from the areas of River Road where there is human activity, where we have been encouraging recreational activity,” McGrath said at the meeting. “Nobody intends to do something stupid but we all unfortunately make choices that we’re maybe unaware of somebody else’s choices.”
According to the chief’s notes on the possible ordinance, it would not apply to residents firing guns for “destroying of animals” that pose an immediate danger to people or property or are seriously injured or diseased. It would not apply to hunting.
Montgomery introduced a possible fee schedule for noncompliance with the ordinance.
The noise issue was first brought to the board at the April 21 meeting. According to draft minutes from the meeting, residents noted an increase in the activity recently and that it was “unbearable and dangerous.”
“There has been a tremendous amount of calls this year,” Montgomery said. He added that in the 16 years he’s been with Killington Police, he has never received this many complaints before.
Dylan Partridge spoke at the May 5 meeting about his gun use. He said coming from Connecticut, he was happy that he was able to use his gun and didn’t know that he was upsetting his neighbors until a state trooper dropped by.
“I wish she would have come talk to me,” Partridge said at the meeting. He recommended an open line of communication to notify neighbors in the area to keep everyone “comfortable” and so that no one felt threatened.
“We support your right, but at the same time we support the right of everybody to be able to enjoy and use those roads,” McGrath said.
All of the chief’s notes are available on the town’s website. A further meeting to discuss the recommendations has not been set yet.
emily.cutts @rutlandherald.com
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