Franklin councilors express concern over alcohol sales at archery expo at Veterans Memorial Ski Area

FRANKLIN — Tim Morrill, president of the Franklin Outing Club, attempted to reassure councilors amid concerns over alcohol sales during an upcoming archery expo event at the Veterans Memorial Ski Area, during the council meeting on July 7.

The ski area is on property owned by the city, and councilors were concerned about liability to the city. While it was explained there will be two wrist bands — one for shooting on the course and another given to participants to consume alcohol after shooting — councilors still felt uneasy, including Councilor Ed Prive (Ward 3).

“A bow and arrow is a lethal weapon. Somebody drinks, pulls up the bow and arrow, band or no band on their wrist, and goes and shoots something accidentally, that's serious injury, and that puts the city at a liability,” Prive said during the July 7 meeting at the Franklin Lodge of Elks.

The archery expo is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 23, starting at 8 a.m. The event invites families to participate in an archery course, engage with vendors, listen to live music, and those over 21 can purchase drinks.

The nonprofit Franklin Outing Club operates the ski hill. Morrill told councilors the event is safe, and there will be no overlap in drinking and shooting. The event starts at 8 a.m., but alcohol sales don't begin until 11 a.m. And while the there is no specified time the shooting stops, participants are expected to be done by the time they can go for a drink. Participants are allowed to purchase up to three drinks. Drinks are sold at the inside counter in the lodge, and only permitted on the deck and around the fire pit, away from the top of the hill where the shooting course is located.

There will be volunteers monitoring the event, as well as one city police officer present. The event permit was already approved by Parks and Recreation Director Krystal Alpers, Police Chief Daniel Poirier and Fire Chief Mike Foss. Poirier, at the meeting, said anyone who came to the event intoxicated would not be allowed to shoot.

The event is co-hosted by BloodLine Outdoors. They will supply targets, design the course, and post signs so those using the property for other purposes like walking trails can navigate the area safely. No representatives of the company were present at the meeting, but owner Steven Terry is dedicated to keeping the event safe, even having a backstop to catch arrows that miss the target. He is certain everything will go off without a hitch.

“My biggest thing about all this is for everyone to be safe and have fun and enjoy the day,” Terry said.

The company was founded in March, and aims to educate the public on the importance of conservation, land stewardship and ethical hunting. Terry has been involved in archery events prior to the founding of BloodLine Outdoors, and the event at the ski area is the company’s first.

Spectators can enjoy the event for free, and participating in the archery expo course comes with a fee. It will help fundraise for the Franklin Outing Club and the ski area, and Terry said he also hopes to use some funds to give back to the community. Proceeds could be given to the Franklin Recreation Center, as well as any projects intended for revitalizing or bringing activity to Odell Park. After living in Franklin his whole life, he just wants to give back.

“This is just a way to bring families together and have them be able to just give back and everyone bond, and everyone have good time,” Terry said.

The recent founding of the company created doubt in some councilors, including Councilor Tim Johnston (Ward 1), in their ability to properly monitor such an event.

“I'm not getting warm and fuzzy about this,” Johnston said.

Mayor Desiree McLaughlin said she is uncomfortable with alcohol at the event, and despite Morrill saying the club's insurance approved the event, she advised he seek legal counsel. She said she has noticed the event has gained a lot of support in the community.

“I have listened to the public, and the public has surprisingly been very supportive of this event, and I'm listening,” she said.

Franklin Outing Club has faced scrutiny from city councilors in the past when they tried to renew the liquor license for the Veterans Memorial Ski Area, based on liability concerns around drinking on city property, and at a venue that encourages attendance from children and families.

Continued discussion will take place at a workshop meeting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16, at the Franklin Lodge of Elks, where the council will hold a public hearing on the 2026 budget.