FAYETTE — Despite safety concerns voiced by residents, the Fayette Appeals Board denied an appeal of a gun repair and sales store by a 4-0 vote on Monday.

The proposed store, which will sell other sporting goods as well, is slated for 1913 Main St., in the former Fayette Fire Station across from the Fayette Country Store.

Appellant Jeannette Kessel, a Fayette resident and abutter to the store’s property, stated her concerns about the permit that the town’s Planning Board had approved on April 13.

“I felt this discussion should go beyond the Planning Board and into the community,” she said. “I have nothing against guns, but I do want to make sure we are safe as a community.”

In her appeal, she noted that a gun supply store increases the risks to public safety in Fayette and neighboring towns. Kessel cited recommendations made in 2013 by a task force of experts brought together by Johns Hopkins University calling for reforms to federal gun policies.

She also pointed out that there are no police stations in Fayette or surrounding towns, increasing the risk. Furthermore, said Kessel, the store’s location is in close proximity to Fayette Central School, Kents Hill School, Wayne Elementary School and Maranacook High School, as well as several summer camps. She was also concerned about the impact on property values.

“I’m not just thinking about my personal rights here,” said Kessell, stating she thought more research needed to be done on the proposed store.

Appeals Board chairman Bill Rogers said that because it was an appeal of a Planning Board decision, there were specific requirements limiting discussion to what was brought before the Planning Board.

“We are only really able to vote if there’s an error by the Planning Board in making this application,” he said. He questioned whether or not the Appeals Board had jurisdiction to make a decision in this particular instance.

“There is no specific restriction for what we can call a gun shop,” said Rogers.

The other board members agreed that there were no errors with the permit that was approved.

Planning Board Chairman Jed Davis agreed that there wasn’t a valid basis for overturning the Planning Board’s decision, but disagreed with Rogers’ assessment saying it wasn’t within the Appeals Board’s jurisdiction to vote on the appeal.

Rogers noted that what was requested wasn’t a variance, but was instead an administrative appeal.

“We are a little bit more constrained,” he said.

Code Enforcement Officer Brenda Medcoff said that as far as review criteria, the ordinance doesn’t refer specifically to a gun shop. She emphasized that the Planning Board addressed the matter thoroughly within the ordinance rules, and that the shop owners must also abide by federal and state permits.

“We can’t go by our personal feelings,” she said. “We have to go by what is in the ordinance.”

Medcoff said that if a resident desires zoning changes, they should attend selectmen’s meetings and explain the rationale for the changes.

“Do we have the time to change the ordinance before this gun shop goes in?” Kessel asked. She was informed that she couldn’t.

Proposed gun shop owners Chris Leighton and his son, Brian, attended the hearing. Brian Leighton said that although he now lived in Massachusetts, he grew up in Turner. There were two gun shops in Turner, no police station, and there have been no problems with crime in that town, he pointed out.

“My concern for the safety of the town is the same as yours,” he told Kessel. “I do not want guns in the hands of children.”

Kents Hill School Headmaster Pat McInerny, who lives in Fayette, said many students choose the school because of its safety and was worried that the gun shop’s location just over one mile from the school would jeopardize that.

“From our perspective representing the school, we would much rather not have the gun shop here,” he said.

“The Planning Board can’t dictate the merchandise that is sold in the store,” said Planning Board member Kirstie Ludwig. “I appreciate the emotions of it, but the Planning Board did its job.”

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