ORWIGSBURG - The borough council discussed Wednesday plans by a business owner to possibly use the borough's gun range in West Brunswick Township.
Josh Shamonsky, owner of Shakey's Gun Shop, Orwigsburg, talked to the council during its work session about using the range to show people how to safely shoot guns and addressed questions, such as zoning and insurance matters.
The council took no action other than to be in general acceptance of the idea, council President Buddy Touchinsky said via email Thursday.
"I feel optimistic, but I think there's going to be hurdles to continue to move forward," Shamonsky said Thursday.
The range could possibly be open one day a week on the weekends, Shamonsky said.
Though there would be no fee for actual use of the range, people will have to pay for instruction and the range officer's time, he said Thursday. An amount has not been determined because the council has not given its approval.
He also said a Breathalyzer will be used on site "to save us from liability. We want to make sure they are sober coming on the range."
It will not measure the exact level of alcohol, he said, just if it is present in the those seeking to use the range.
Borough Manager Mike Lonergan said the 8-acre area is in an "agricultural preservation district."
He does not know how much of the land is actually used for the range, saying he thought a portion of it is wooded.
Lonergan said the use, as described to him by West Brunswick Township Zoning Officer Wayne Bowen, is a fee-based range. He did not know the definition of that description, but he said it is his understanding that Bowen asked the township solicitor for clarification on the matter.
Bowen did not return a call for comment Thursday.
The borough insurance company said it has no problem with use of the property as long as the borough would be represented by the other insurance company if something were to happen and the borough would be named in legal matter, Lonergan said previously.
The range previously was open for use to the public but that was discontinued.
"The borough recently enacted a policy restricting range use to police officers, borough employees and officers of other departments who rented time on the range," Lonergan said.
He said that was done within the last two years for liability reasons. No incidents occurred at the range, but the borough was trying to be proactive, he said.
If the issue advances, then the borough solicitor will draft a measure outlining responsibilities and rules, Lonergan said.
He said a decision isn't likely at the council's regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. April 9 because he does not think the borough will have its answer from the township before then.
Shamonsky said he might attend the meeting.
Touchinsky said there are questions that still need addressed.
"The hang up is over how the range is zoned and if the new use changes it. Josh doesn't think it will, but it appears the zoning officer for the township may disagree. It is my understanding that Josh needs to file for a permit from the township in order to use the range as intended. The zoning officer will then consult with their solicitor. If it's OK and the permit is issued allowing the use, then council will further discuss with our solicitor and develop a policy for range use in these situations. If it's not an approved use, then in order to use the range, Josh will have to work with the borough to file for a special exception from the township. He agreed to pay any associated fees and do the work necessary to get this done," he said.
Shamonsky said depending on what is necessary, such as rezoning, he might decide to look elsewhere to establish the range.
Currently, he has no alternate location in mind.
Still, he said the idea coming to reality would be a benefit to the county.
"I got a lot of positive feedback from it," he said.