By Andrea Arens
The non-highway vehicle, aka golf cart, ordinance was updated at the May 13 board meeting.
Changes to the ordinance clarify that 4 wheelers and dirt bikes will not be allowed in town, that all non-highway vehicles will be required to have seat belts, head lights, tail lights, turn signals, a slow moving emblem, and a safety inspection and proof of insurance annually.
Inspections will begin immediately and continue through June. Everyone that already purchased a non-highway vehicle sticker will not be required to purchase another one but next year, sticker and inspection will cost $10.
Even those that live out of town but plan on driving their non-highway vehicle into town for an event like the golf cart bingos or parades, are strongly encouraged to have their vehicle inspected and purchase the sticker.
Currently, the ordinance also specifies that no children under the age of 8 are to be riding on a non-highway vehicle nor are any children under the age of 16 allowed to drive a non-highway vehicle.
While violations will not be enforced immediately, they will be enforced in the future. The fine is $100 or more.
The edits to the ordinance are significant but allow for the police department to offer inspections and clearly specify what’s allowed to be driving around town.
The Village Board also unanimously approved the lowest quote of $58,500 for a skid steer from DeJong Equipment of Beecher, along with a warranty cost of approximately $2500.
Currently, the Village does not own a skid steer and has been using the Townships as needed.
With the streetscape redesign and the expectation of public works clearing snow around the bump outs and landscaping for the new downtown, the purchase of the skid steer was built into the budget.
Jim Petreikis was honored with a certificate for his years of service to the Planning & Zoning Commission although he was not in attendance. Certificates of Appreciation for years of service were also presented to Landen Marevka and James McCabe in public works and Building & Zoning Coordinator Henry Walters.
Full time police officer Robert Reyes resigned and new part time police officer Jack Hille was hired.
Proclamations for National Police Week, May 12-18, and National Public Works Week, May 19-24 were also approved.
Mayor Peter March said the streetscape was going well and according to schedule but he encouraged residents to be very careful when crossing the street. He said a few have fallen in the construction area. He also strongly suggested that children should not be playing in the construction zone.
Public Works Director Robert Hennke also urged residents to please not blow their grass clippings in the street. Hennke said Public Works has had to go out and clean off the storm sewers because people have been blowing their grass in the street. March asked if it was an ordinance violation and suggested that violations be wrote for repeat offenders.