Weapon Range Unnerves Neighbor, Campground Guide Touts Dennis

DENNISVILLE – Dennis Township Committee met Feb. 2 and learned that the municipality was featured in the latest edition of the “New Jersey Campground and RV Park Vacation Guide 2016.”
The title of the article is “History and Nature Just Off Shore.” Deputy Mayor Brian O’Connor said, “The article was written by the director of our museum, Ray Rebmann, and it’s great to see the nice highlight for our local campgrounds, history, and natural scenery.”
Committee member Lisa Salimbene announced that April 9 will be a “big day” in the township since that is the date for “Pride Day” held in partnership with the local PTA and other civic organizations. The event will be held at the Academy Road school.
“The Dennis Environmental Commission will be distributing free saplings like they do every year along with information on how to plant them. The fire department is participating and there will be a ‘color run’ where all participants will be dusted with different colors from onlookers,” explained Salimbene. “Boy Scouts will be there, groups will be selling refreshments and we’re trying to raise a little extra money for anti-bullying measures in the schools. It should be a wonderful day,” she concluded.
Committee member Donald Tozer reported on township efforts to minimize inconvenience and damage during the recent Winter Storm Jonas. “Everything went pretty well, Public Works staff worked about eight to 10 hours to get ready, and everyone pulled their weight.”
Mayor John Murphy asked Township Engineer John Gibson about lack of lighting at the entrance to the Garden State Parkway from Sea Isle Boulevard which is under major construction. He has had a number of residents complain about how dangerous it is. “That is a tough spot to navigate, they’re trying to improve it by the summer season by removing the overload and paving it but that will only affect that one area.”
In response to Murphy’s request that he send a formal letter asking County Engineer Dale Foster to improve lighting, Gibson said, “I have asked before but have not received any encouragement but will send him an official request now.”
During the public comment portion, a resident who stated he lives on Hagen Road reported that the neighbor who abuts his property to the rear on Route 83, “Has set up a gun range in his backyard and is firing semi-automatic weapons of high caliber at targets.”
The resident called State Police who came on several occasions and notified the resident “Such shooting is a permitted use.”
The resident continued with his description of the gun firing by saying “it’s rapid fire, at least 20 rounds at the same time, this type of rapid fire magazine is illegal in New Jersey.” Although the resident believes the gun-firing has come to an end Tozer said he would look into the actual language of applicable statutes, possibly through the local game warden, to see if such shooting is legal.
“The trooper came three times and said he couldn’t go over there because ‘he’s got a gun’ so I didn’t know what to do. It does seem that this type of gun and target shouldn’t be allowed in a residential area; even though the guy is a corrections officer who says he needs to practice, that’s why there are shooting ranges. I want everyone to know this is going on.”
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.