Joann Yurconic, of Snyders Church Road, approached East Allen Township Board of Supervisors with a noise complaint against Keystone Gun Club.

The club, founded in 1940, is adjacent to the American Legion Hall, just off Race Street near the center of Bath. Yurconic asked township Manager Deborah Seiple for time on the agenda. Chairman Roger Unangst moved Yurconic to the top spot on the agenda.

Yurconic’s property overlooks the club. In her testimony before the board, Yurconic claimed the club violated its own rules to stop shooting at dusk or after 8 p.m. Yurconic rested her case on the township’s noise ordinance forbidding noise over 60 decibels after 10 p.m. She asked the board to enforce the ordinance.

Yurconic claimed that a night shoot 10 p.m. Wednesday, which often lasts for an hour, violates the rules of the club and the zoning ordinance of the township.

In his response, Unangst asked Yurconic for some evidence, other than the support from her neighbors, that the ordinance was violated.

“We are not looking to shut down the club or to cause problems … We just want them to follow their own rules,” Yurconic replied.

Unangst emphasized the club was not in violation of zoning rules.

“It is not our position to argue about the internal rules of the club or for us to interfere with their operation … there are no violations here. This is a civil matter as one might have a difference with their neighbor. It is not something that the board needs to address,” Unangst said.

Unangst added farmers surrounding Yurconic’s property have the right to shoot at any time. Yurconic countered she contacted local farmers and none were known to shoot during odd hours.

Another complaint Yurconic voiced at the meeting was that she addressed the matter to the township’s zoning officer on three different occasions but never received a response. Unangst indicated the zoning officer should have made a response in writing. He promised the situation would be corrected and said Yurconic would receive a response based on her zoning complaints.

Attorney Michael White represented the gun club. Members of the gun club were on hand. According to White, state law supersedes local rules.

“The club was grandfathered into its location because it’s been in existence since 1940 … the rules in effect when the club was founded are the rules that govern its activity. The state makes clear that gun clubs are allowed to operate in the state, and their activities cannot be unduly restricted,” he said.

The matter was left open for the parties to work out as a civil matter. Yurconic indicated she would get a decibel reading at the edge of her property.