WATERFORD, Maine — After years of controversy, some people in Waterford are offering to buy the silence of a local gun club. But the club says it isn’t for sale.
“Bang, bang,” said Waterford resident John Howe, describing the sound he and his wife hear seven days a week.
“You don’t know when it’s gonna happen,” he said. “It could happen at any instant. It could start right now.”
One mile from Howe’s rural farmhouse sits the Waterford Fish and Game Association, a gun club. Howe said the shots make him and his wife constantly anxious, and as soon as shots ring out, they put on headphones and adjust their day-to-day lives.
“Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, we go away,” said Howe.
Howe said for Christmas, he wanted to get his wife the gift of silence. On Dec. 18, he wrote a letter to the gun club president, asking how much it would cost to limit shooting times and days.
“If we had one day or two days, it would be glorious that we would know we were not gonna be shot at any minute,” Howe said.
But club officials declined to entertain Howe’s offer.
“And we don’t intend to be for sale,” said president Peter Pacent.
This dispute dates to 2007, when the Howes say the club got bigger and more popular. The Howes filed, but then withdrew a lawsuit, and succeeded in getting their property taxes lowered.
With 16 other residents, they launched the Noise Abatement Coalition.
“We’ve had meetings and stuck together,” said Howe. “But, nothing happens.”
Selectman Randy Lessard said the gun club isn’t violating any ordinance or rule and is protected by state law.
Pacent said he feels the association is a good neighbor, and has made concessions. Shooting starts later on Sundays, and is put on hold for nearby weddings and funerals across the street, he said.
“We extended the roof of our rifle range,” said Pacent. “We have data to support there was a very significant [noise] reduction.”
Club leaders plan to build a roof over the pistol range this spring.
“We’re gonna continue to try to contain as much noise from gunfire as we can,” said Pacent. “That’s our plan.”
Lessard said town officials are willing to mediate and help facilitate a compromise.