The Onset Fire District Prudential Committee has instated a policy against hunting on all district property, which includes the wooded area behind the Sand Pond Road Water District office building - a popular spot for hunters.

"I feel bad," said Prudential Committee Chair Jovina Dean. "But it's for our own protection."

The Prudential Committee, along with the Board of Water Commissioners, agreed that the policy should be created after the boards received inquiries from residents regarding using the area behind the district office building for hunting.

There is currently a no-trespassing policy in place in the area, but Onset Water Commissioners and Prudential Committee members noted that residents often walk their dogs, ride dirt bikes, and fish in the area.

Though special hunting permits had been issued to a small number of people in past years, the Prudential Committee agreed that officially opening the area for hunting could be dangerous for district employees, as well as for the public.

"We felt that we didn't want the liability concerned if there were an accident," Dean said.

As recent as last year, even though "no trespassing" signs are posted, district employees have had to call police after hearing gunshots in the woods, Dean said.

"We're going to post it more, and enforce it," Dean said.

The Prudential Committee, Water Commissioners, and Board of Engineers will meet together in the coming weeks to discuss whether to add the policy to the district's bylaws. A bylaw update would need to be approved by voters at the district's annual meeting in the spring.