https://www.timesunion.com/7dayarchive/article/Glenville-homeowners-raise-concerns-over-proposed-13004930.php
Glenville neighbors concerned over planned police firing range, but supervisor says it will built
Published 5:18 pm, Monday, June 18, 2018
GLENVILLE – Supervisor Chris Koetzle plans to meet Tuesday with members of a local group on the proposed site of a police firing range that homeowners in this rural part of town oppose.
It's the second meeting in a week's time Koetzle has had with residents from Concerned Citizens of Glenville and their president, Bill Bolton, who live around the proposed site.
Koetzle said the group's main concerns seem to revolve around the potential for increased noise from the firing range and generally how its operation might hurt the quality of life in their neighborhood.
He said during the meeting last week that he reminded the half-dozen property owners that the plan for the shooting range has been on the table for at least 15 years and that that the range would be near two other private gun clubs and a third one, which is at least for the time being inactive.
"There's not going to be much of a difference to quality of life because we're in proximity to other shooting ranges right there," said Koetzle, adding that the Glenville cops generally train for only the state mandated 14 days a year. "Between the proximity of the gun ranges and all the hunting that occurs, this will not really be much of an impact. "
The supervisor said town officials are aiming to break ground on the four lane gun range, which is set to be constructed on less than acre of the former landfill at Vley and Barhydt Roads, by the fall.
The group is also opposed to a $1 million training facility for police and firefighters, which would be built in phases on two parcels of vacant land on Vley Road in the same general area as the gun range. The facility would also be used by first responders in neighboring Scotia.
On Monday, Koetzle said the town hasn't ruled out purchasing silencers for rifles or building more walls to absorb and cut down on the noise that carries out into the surrounding community.
The Town Board's public hearing on the matter will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, said Koetzle.
He stressed that the training is critical for police work and fighting fires, which can be dangerous.
"I told them that we'll work with them and do everything we can, but this proposal is going to go forward because it's important for our police officers, it's important for our firefighters, and it's important for the residents for the town of Glenville," said Koetzle. "The days of trying to train people by chance are over, as far as I'm concerned."
