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Hudson Oaks council amends weapons discharge ordinanceHUDSON OAKS, Mar 31, 2013 (Weatherford Democrat - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- An amendment to the Code of Ordinances regarding the discharge of weapons was approved by city council members here Thursday night. The changes involve exactly what designates a weapon, which some council members had concerns about when the item was presented at the February meeting. A change adding the words "including archery equipment and crossbows" was approved. The change still "mirrors" the state code which allows the discharge of firearms on acreage of more than 10 acres, according to City Administrator Sheri Campbell-Husband. City Attorney Rob Allibon said the change allowed pellet, BB guns for target practice which some council members raised concerns about. Homeowners must still be careful to ensure the projectiles expelled from such weapons are not going into neighbors' property or could injure someone. Hudson Oaks Mayor Pat Deen said the change was meant to address a public safety issue. Law enforcement officials will still be keeping a watchful eye to ensure the city and state ordinances are being obeyed, Deen said. Assistant City Administator Patrick Lawler announced the city will be going into its Stage 2 water restrictions effective Monday, April 1. The restrictions allow for mandatory twice a week watering between the hours of midnight and 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to midnight on designated days. Residents whose address ends in an odd number can water on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Even numbered addresses can water on Thursdays and Sundays. Commercial addresses will be able to water on Tuesdays and Fridays. No watering can be done on Mondays or between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on any day, Lawler said. Lawler said City of Weatherford officials announced they would begin Stage 1 restrictions April 1 as well. Lawler insists the effort is more for conservation and the city is not in any dire straits. Water department crews handed out notices to business owners last week. Signs will be put up in the neighborhoods alerting residents of the change and information will be placed in resident's next utility bill as well as on the city's website. The council also heard a presentation from East Parker County Library board member Sue Ellen Shaw. The library, which is located in Aledo but serves the Annettas, Willow Park and Hudson Oaks as well, will be getting a new mural which displays the maps of the communities it serves and what makes each unique. Shaw asked the city to help the library with ideas on the uniqueness of the area so the mural, which will be done by Aledo High School students, will be complete. Shaw spoke of a number of programs library officials are getting ready for the summer and urged the council to spread the word as to what was going on. ___ (c)2013 Weatherford Democrat (Weatherford, Texas) Visit Weatherford Democrat (Weatherford, Texas) at weatherforddemocrat.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |