GRANBY -- Town officials say the Granby Bow and Gun Club never sought municipal approval to build its controversial half-mile rifle range. But the club disagrees, saying, "That's not true."

The Granby officials, in recent interviews with The Republican, acknowledged they are not sure what to do at this point, but say the matter is under review by a lawyer the town recently hired to help develop a strategy.

Town officials say they remain hopeful the matter can be resolved without going to court, but that a timetable for resolving the matter may extend beyond the end of this month.

The 1,015-yard range, which the club began operating last year, has resulted in numerous complaints to Granby and Belchertown selectmen. Homeowners living in earshot of the 85 Chicopee St. facility have demanded action to address concerns about noise, safety, alleged environmental degradation and lessening of their property values.

The chairman of Granby Zoning Board of Appeals, Donald Zebrowski, said there has been some confusion about permits the gun club applied for in the past.

He said the special permit and site plan approval the club secured in 2010 to build a new shooting shed had nothing to do with the new rifle range. During a recent Granby selectmen's meeting, town officials said they could only identify the 2010 permits as being relevant to the current controversy.

Zebrowski said that because the gun club's land is zoned residential, site plan approval and a special permit is required if the club opts to create other recreational opportunities for its members.

Asked if the club sought site plan and special permit approval for the new range, Zebrowski stated: "They should have, but they didn't."

"That's not true," club secretary Debi Mercier told The Republican. "We have always been responsible neighbors."

Debi Mercier is married to Andre Mercier, the club's president.

"We are a gun range," she said. "You are going to have noise. We have been very responsible about everything we have done."

She said the club is no longer represented by attorney Edward George. George attended a Granby selectmen's meeting on behalf of the club this month, and also toured the facility.

Mercier said the club's legal counsel is now Martha A. Dean, who has an office in Avon, Connecticut. On Dean's website, she touts her expertise representing shooting ranges.

"We have achieved unparalleled success defending outdoor shooting ranges in litigation around the country. We also provide environmental, safety, and noise-related strategic advice and legal guidance to shooting ranges," the lawyer's website says.