North Webster Eyes ATV Ordinance

Written by Times-Union

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Daniel Riordan

NORTH WEBSTER - North Webster's town board continued discussion Tuesday night of a potential ordinance involving snowmobile and ATV traffic in town.

Currently, the town doesn't allow snowmobiles or ATVs to be driven through town though both the board and residents on hand acknowledged it still takes place.

Town attorney Jack Birch said the town had to first decide what vehicles would be allowed and which ones wouldn't.

Birch said as a rule he would follow state statutes and there are currently four different categories concerning such off-road vehicles.

Paula Miller, who stated she lives on a farm just outside of town, said the town shouldn't allow those vehicles because of how loud they are.

Jerry Moser spoke in favor of allowing those vehicles saying it's unfair to those who properly register their vehicles, are licensed and obey the laws.

Town Marshal Greg Church said catching those breaking the law is easier said than done.

Jerry Rhodes spoke against an ordinance allowing ATVs in town.

"It's a hazard for the people who live in town as far as I'm concerned," said Rhodes.

The board also discussed possibly putting a curfew on when those vehicles could or couldn't be used in town.

Tonya Bowser, the president of the North Webster Chamber of Commerce, said as a resident and business owner, her husband uses an ATV to plow during the winter and that a curfew would have to take that into consideration since a lot of people and businesses use the vehicles for the same purpose.

The board took no action during Tuesday night's meeting.

Resident JB Routh, who lives at 645 N. Center St., brought pictures of a neighor's home he said needs to be cleaned up.

The pictures show trash, piles of tires and a racecar that Routh said hasn't moved in more than a year.

Routh's wife said she was told that because of that property, adjacent properties' values have taken a $10,000 hit.

Birch said that the town could have some recourse when it came to the tires citing health and public safety.

Church said he would get a hold of the health department today.

The board heard that Tippecanoe Township approved to provide funding in conjunction with the town to work on the alley and apron at the fire station.

Source: http://www.timesuniononline.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=224&ArticleID=48452

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“Once they chased our cow into a deep arroyo where it fell and broke its neck. I don't understand how anyone could think chasing livestock is fun.” As a result of the growing conflicts with off-roaders, the Gonzales family stopped their cattle ranching. It doesn't matter whether it is a plate or decal, what is important is that the identification is visible. The police could have tracked down the illegal riders if we had been able to photograph the IDs on their vehicles. I think that would have made them think twice before breaking the law.”

- Eleanor Gonzales, private property owner in Santé Fe County, NM