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The Thorsby Town Council updated the town’s firearm ordinance during its meeting on March 6.

The Council repealed ordinance 81, which went into affect in 1970.

Shortly after, the Council approved ordinance 2617 to replace the previous ordinance in regards to the discharging of a firearm in the city limits.

According to town clerk Crystal Smith, the newly approved ordinance will cover any gun, rifle, shotgun, pistol or other similar firearm, while the previous ordinance in place focused more on air guns.

Under the new ordinance, it is deemed unlawful to shoot a firearm within 500 feet of a residence, business or other inhabited building. This includes various forms of hunting.

The ordinance went into effect immediately and any person violating the law shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined up to $500 and/or up to six months in the county jail.

Certain exceptions remain, such as legally established shooting ranges and discharge in the line of duty by law enforcement officers.

The change was made to make sure that all bases were covered and was implemented under the mindset of town safety.

It was also reported that CSX would be undergoing maintenance work on the railroads, which would most likely result in detoured traffic patterns.

Mayor Robert Hight informed the Council that the town planning commission will be having training classes on April 8, 15 and 22.

Other municipalities are invited to take part in the classes, which will be held at the Thorsby Annex. Times have yet to be determined.

In other news from the meeting, the Council:

• Approved proposal from Southern Software that was discussed during a work session following the Feb. 20 meeting. The agreement is for five years.
• Approved the purchase of a new lime feeder for the wells. The feeder will replace the two current ones.
• Approved the minutes from the previous meeting on Feb. 20.
• Approved the bills and financial statements.