Post by E.Reynolds on Mar 15, 2012 6:42:55 GMT -5
HOPKINTON — Town Supervisor Marvin E. Rust said a proposed weapons law, which many viewed as a townwide weapons ban, was “dead” on Wednesday afternoon following a meeting with state Department of Environmental Conservation officials.
Mr. Rust said interpretation of the law was based on the way the law was written by town attorney Roger B. Linden.
“The way the law was written was not the way the law was intended,” Mr. Rust said.
He said the issue began in November when a concerned resident stopped at his home and asked if someone could put up a tree stand at James A. Tharrett Memorial Park, a 29-acre park along the St. Regis River.
“He didn’t want to put one up himself. He was concerned about his grandchildren,” Mr. Rust said, adding that the man owned property adjacent to the park.
Following that conversation, Mr. Rust said, he contacted Mr. Linden and asked him if someone could put a tree stand in the park. Mr. Rust said he was advised that without a law in place saying it was forbidden, there was nothing to stop anyone from doing so.
At that point, Mr. Rust said, he asked Mr. Linden to craft legislation that would be brought before the Hopkinton Town Council at a later date.
When the law was discussed at the February council meeting, Mr. Rust said, it was pointed out that the way the law was written also would restrict weapons and trapping devices from the town’s sand dunes, gravel pits and Highway Department and even town-owned parking lots in front of town hall.
“The law stated no person shall hunt or trap or have in their possession any hunting or trapping devices upon any real property owned by the town of Hopkinton,” Mr. Rust said. “Apparently, that meant not only the park, but other properties.”
After coming to that realization, Mr. Rust said, the Town Council agreed to table the law.
“We tabled the proposal and we’re going to eliminate it from ever coming up again,” Mr. Rust said. “I’m sorry this caused undue worry for our residents. All we were trying to do was preserve the safety of our residents at James A. Tharrett Memorial Park.”
Mr. Rust said DEC officials advised him on Wednesday that the town’s original intentions could be met by declaring the park a restricted area.
“The way I understand it, the town board just has to declare it a restricted area and have the parks rules or stipulations posted on signs outside the park,” Mr. Rust said. “They would say something like ‘no hunting or trapping or having in your possession things used for such,’” he said. “That’s how I envision it.”
Mr. Rust said the abolishment of the proposed law likely would come up for discussion when the Town Council meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday.
As for the resolution to prohibit weapons from James A. Tharrett Memorial Park, Mr. Rust said that may come before the board next month
Mr. Rust said interpretation of the law was based on the way the law was written by town attorney Roger B. Linden.
“The way the law was written was not the way the law was intended,” Mr. Rust said.
He said the issue began in November when a concerned resident stopped at his home and asked if someone could put up a tree stand at James A. Tharrett Memorial Park, a 29-acre park along the St. Regis River.
“He didn’t want to put one up himself. He was concerned about his grandchildren,” Mr. Rust said, adding that the man owned property adjacent to the park.
Following that conversation, Mr. Rust said, he contacted Mr. Linden and asked him if someone could put a tree stand in the park. Mr. Rust said he was advised that without a law in place saying it was forbidden, there was nothing to stop anyone from doing so.
At that point, Mr. Rust said, he asked Mr. Linden to craft legislation that would be brought before the Hopkinton Town Council at a later date.
When the law was discussed at the February council meeting, Mr. Rust said, it was pointed out that the way the law was written also would restrict weapons and trapping devices from the town’s sand dunes, gravel pits and Highway Department and even town-owned parking lots in front of town hall.
“The law stated no person shall hunt or trap or have in their possession any hunting or trapping devices upon any real property owned by the town of Hopkinton,” Mr. Rust said. “Apparently, that meant not only the park, but other properties.”
After coming to that realization, Mr. Rust said, the Town Council agreed to table the law.
“We tabled the proposal and we’re going to eliminate it from ever coming up again,” Mr. Rust said. “I’m sorry this caused undue worry for our residents. All we were trying to do was preserve the safety of our residents at James A. Tharrett Memorial Park.”
Mr. Rust said DEC officials advised him on Wednesday that the town’s original intentions could be met by declaring the park a restricted area.
“The way I understand it, the town board just has to declare it a restricted area and have the parks rules or stipulations posted on signs outside the park,” Mr. Rust said. “They would say something like ‘no hunting or trapping or having in your possession things used for such,’” he said. “That’s how I envision it.”
Mr. Rust said the abolishment of the proposed law likely would come up for discussion when the Town Council meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday.
As for the resolution to prohibit weapons from James A. Tharrett Memorial Park, Mr. Rust said that may come before the board next month