The Martin Township Board Wednesday evening adopted a resolution supporting a county-wide ordinance governing off-road vehicles (ORVs).
The vote was unanimous, bringing the total of townships and municipalities on board to eight, but Allegan County Commissioner Rick Cain told the board there are already several entities that oppose it. He said Wayland Township, Gun Plain Township and the City of Plainwell have rejected the ordinance and the Allegan County Road Commission and the county’s liability carrier are not in favor.
Watson Township and six other municipalities have adopted resolutions. The sample ordinance, much like that adopted in Barry County, was crafted by Watson Township Supervisor Kevin Travis.
Scott Beltman of Monterey Township, who has been a visible promoter of the ordinance has insisted that having uniform county-wide regulations and enforcement by the sheriff’s department will be good for Allegan County.
When told Allegan County lacks trails, Beltman said other counties are getting along nicely without trails and noted most are farming communities.
“Not one of the counties has repealed it,” he said. “This ordinance is for law-abiding citizens with a clear set of penalties defined.”
Beltman, responding to a question from Trustee John Schipper, said there are no fees planned, but if they are approved, it could result in some extra revenue for the county.
Schipper, who made the motion to adopt, said, “I don’t know if this will change the use (of ORVs) whether we have the ordinance or not.”
In other business Wednesday, the board:
- Noted the township is looking for a sexton in the wake of the news that Cody Visser is suffering from health issues. Treasurer Sue Tiemeyer said she may look into hiring a company to lay foundations and have the sexton simply dig and fill in the gravesites.
- Was told by Alice Kelsey of the Library Board that the JC Wheeler Library has gone to a fine-free policy, joining the likes of the Kalamazoo, Galesburg, Otsego and Grand Rapids libraries.
