By ROB WOODARD
BARNSTABLE – The Town of Barnstable is in discussions with the state as a possible land swap is considered which would allow the town to reopen the town’s shooting range.
Barnstable Town Manager Thomas Lynch said the state is looking at one site in particular, a 17-acre parcel in Independence Park.
The issue with the range came to light just about two years ago when the town’s insurance company discovered the town was not insured for a shooting range.
It was later discovered the land was purchased with state funds. The state has restrictions on how the land can be used and a shooting range does not fall within the parameters of the conditions of “passive recreation.”
Lynch said, the Barnstable Town Council will be considering how to address the possible land swap and the concerns of neighbors of the range as the process moves forward.