Golf carts on sidewalks have been getting a lot of attention lately in Dorr and the Township Board Thursday night reiterated its opposition to use of motorized vehicles on public walkways.
The board cited the local ordinance, noting that sidewalks and bicycle paths should be bereft of motor vehicles and indicated that local sheriff’s deputies will enforce the laws. Officers probably will give a warning for the first offense, but then will issue citations to offenders afterward.
The board did note exceptions for handicapped users of golf carts and said such vehicles can be used where the speed limit is 30 miles per hour or slower. However, it should be noted that 142nd Avenue and 18th Street, the most used roads in the township, have speed limits of 35.
The ban also include dirt bikes, quads and off-road vehicles.
Motorized vehicles have been banned before, but only lately have complaints increased.
In other business Thursday evening, the Township Board:
- Was told by Supervisor Jeff Miling that the new township hall could be used for business and meetings as early as sometime next month. A hookup to a new computer server at the former Cross Winds Church was approved at a cost of $13,208 for the unit and $13,160 for installation and labor. The old server will remain at the old hall at the corner off 18th Street and 142nd Avenue.
- Agreed to chip in $1,400 for the library to have new flooring replace and repair the current entrance. The library will spend more than $3,000 itself.
- Was told by Dorr Business Association President Jen Alderink that the annual Fourth of July celebration probably lose the ox roast because the kitchen won’t be available and fireworks costs are expected increase by a hefty amount this summer.
- Agreed to spend a little more than $8,000 for repairs to the roof at the Then & Now Historical Library. Then & Now will pick up $10,653 of that bill. The work will be done by Miller Brothers.
- Approved the appointment of Trustee Patrick Champion to the Wayland Area Emergency Services Board, succeeding Jim Martin, who served one four-year term.
- Approved payment of $600 a year to the Shumaker Technology Group for making certain the Dorr Township websites compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- Heard a presentation from a representative from Ottawa County, Community Foundation, who reported “Allegan County’s lack of housing is the biggest inhibitor of economic growth.
- Learned from Fire Chief Gary Fordham that department has handled 141 calls thus far this year in the first three months while last year at this time it was 124.
- Acknowledged that the Allegan County Road Commission is paving 138th Avenue this year.
- Approved the request of Schaendorf to rezone a parcel of land on the east side of the township from rural agricultural (R-A) to rural estates (R-E).
