Stratford Village Board will vote on changes to hunting ordinance

Stratford’s village board will consider several changes next week to the village’s hunting ordinance, including the redefinition of zones in which residents are allowed to use bows, crossbows and firearms.

Under a proposal developed by trustee Damon Englebretson, hunting with a firearm shall not be permitted on any property that is less than one acre, and hunting on villageowned property will be limited to residents of the Village of Stratford, those who own property in the village, and village employees.

The proposal was recommended for approval by the Public Safety Committee at its latest meeting on June 24.

The following zones would be established: * Archery zones include and are limited to areas for hunting with bows and crossbows only (as permitted by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources). Hunting needs to be 100 yards from any building located on another person’s land unless the hunter has permission from the property owner. Discharging an arrow or bolt from the respective weapon must be at a downward trajectory.

* Limited Firearm Zone allows for hunting with bows, crossbows, shotguns, muzzleloaders, rimfire firearms (limited to 22LR only) and centerfire firearms (limited to straight-wall casings and be of .35 caliber or larger, with a maximum case length of 1.80”). Hunting needs to be 200 yards from any area consisting of multiple buildings used for human occupancy located on another person’s land, sidewalk or trail for public use, commercial/industrial building or school property.

* Rifle Zone does not impose any further regulations than the State and County. Hunting needs to be 400 yards from any area consisting of multiple buildings used for human occupancy located on another person’s land, sidewalk or trail for public use, commercial/ industrial building or school property.

* Special permit zones will be opened if the Village Board deems it necessary or de- sirable to reduce the deer population on certain lands within the Village, it may from time to time allow deer hunting by special permit and only with bows and crossbows within the specified land(s) designated as “Archery Zone Special Permit” for a limited period.

A village map of the hunting zones, last updated in 2010, will be revised along with the ordinance updates.

Applications for the archery zones special permit zones must be submitted to the chief of police or his designee on an official form available at the Stratford Police Department. The police chief will review the applications and either grant or deny the permit. Fees will be set by the village board.

Other business

■ After discussing whether a special winter parking exemption should be granted to Klemme Sales, allowing their customers' vehicles to be parked on the street overnight, the committee decided to leave the village's parking ordinance as is. Police chief Tom Koontz said he is willing to grant exemptions on a case-by-case basis as long as the vehicle owner contacts him ahead of time, and the vehicle does not get in the way of snow removal.

Tom Bornbach, co-owner of Klemme Sales, agreed to contact the police department in the future when there is an incident where they need to request an exemption for a vehicle parked overnight on the street during winter.

■ Committee members talked about exploring another resident alert system after it was determined that the free app being used by the village was not working well.

“It’s overcomplicated for something so simple,” said administrative assistant Sam Hernandez.

Sam Hernandez said about 12 village residents had signed up for the app by the date of the meeting, and up to 30 were interested. She was directed to have those residents delete the app and continue writing the names of residents who would be interested in another alert system in the future.

■ Koontz said he will find out the cost from Computer TR to move a security camera in the municipal office and have the quote ready for the next village board meeting.