Arrows ready to fly

NEW LONDON – An ordinance has been amended to allow for the shooting of arrows at specified locations within the New London city limits.
The New London Common Council approved amending Section 9.03 of the municipal code Public Peace and Good Order when it met June 16. The amendment was approved by a 9-1 vote, with Ald. Larry Hutchison voting against the amendment.
The ordinance specified that throwing or shooting arrows and other items was prohibited within city limits. The amended ordinance makes exceptions for the shooting of arrows at the following locations:
1. In archery class conducted on school district property under the supervision of a qualified instructor; or
2. At any bona fide business location where the sale of archery equipment takes place on a professionally developed indoor archery range; or

3. At designed outdoor archery range approved by the Common Council.
The need to amend the ordinance was discussed by the New London Parks & Recreation Committee at its June 2 meeting. At that meeting, Ginger Sowle, director of the New London Parks & Recreation Department, told the committee that New London Police Chief Josh Wilson brought to her attention that the city’s ordinances do not allow the shooting of arrows within city limits.
Because of that, Sowle said Wilson helped her develop the proposed amendment.
The amendment was especially needed to allow for the shooting of arrows at the proposed outdoor archery range that is scheduled to be constructed by Colton Swanson as part of his Eagle Scout project. The outdoor archery range project was previously approved by the city.