Dorr Township officials Thursday evening promised to do a better job enforcing its ordinance against motorized vehicles on sidewalks.
They were prompted by Joe Shaffer, owner of Shaffer Tree Service, who attended the meeting to ask for help in curtailing the overuse of golf carts, off-road vehicles, four-wheelers, snowmobiles and motorcycles, threatening pedestrians on places meant for use by those who walk.
“Before somebody gets hurt, I’d like to see what can be done,” he told Township Board members.
Supervisor Jeff Miling acknowledged, “Dorr has been kind of lax on this issue” and he promised the board would further take up the issue at its regular meeting in April.
One of the two Allegan County deputies assigned to Dorr and Leighton townships said she has received complaints on the issue 10 times since January. She added that when she apprehends people driving the vehicles, they’ve indicated they didn’t know it was illegal by ordinance and they’ve said, “We’ve always been allowed to do this.”
The deputy told them and reiterated that it is a misdemeanor offense, unless the user is certified as handicapped.
Trustee Chandler Stanton went further in his opposition, saying, “We are endangering our children, in my opinion.”
The deputy said one way to handle the issue is to place signs on local sidewalks. She also said she has ordered parents to come to the scene to pick up the vehicles and their children.
However, she insisted that she has not had to stop offenders for a second time.
In other business at the meeting Thursday night, the Township Board:
• Had a lengthy discussion about a policy to pay elected and appointed officials when they go above and beyond their customary duties as policy makers. Trustee John Tuinstra presented an “extra pay for extra work” proposal that board members eventually agreed to postpone action on until April. Trustee Pat Champion’s work on recycling and occasional help at the new township hall was the impetus for the discussion.
- Approved on a 4-2 vote a policy that requires all local officials, whether appointed or elected, to be under the umbrella of the Municipal Employees Retirement System (MERS).
- Approved a recycling agreement for five years with a three-year option. The township will pay $18 for each curbside receptacle.
- Adopted the 2025-26 fiscal year budget after a public hearing with little comment. The $263,376 shortfall in revenue vs. expenses will be absorbed by the fund balance.
- Acknowledged the township is developing an agreement with Microsoft for its plans for its data center at two locations within the township.
- Learned that Carrie Brooks was re-elected president and newcomer Gordon Liefers vice president on the Library Board.
- Noted that the newly installed electric sign in front of the new township hall is fully operational.
- Approved the appointments of Tim Coles and County Commissioner Mark DeYoung to the Downtown Development Authority.
- Adopted the budget of the DD for the coming fiscal year, including a $307,900 fund balance.
- Took no action on a proposal to have the township align with Allegan County on recognizing 13 holidays in which employees can get holiday pay and time off. They oppose recognizing Martin Luther King’s birthday, Juneteenth and Presidents’ Day as holidays.
