Monticello Village Board hears Motion to Allow ATVs, UTVs and Golf Carts on All Streets
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The Monticello Village Board met on July 15, 2020, in the Lions Club Shelter in the Village Park. All board members were in attendance. Village President Leaora Miller had put a notice on the Village’s Facebook page saying, in part, “Anyone that is interested in being heard by the Village Board on dogs being allowed in the park and the ATV/UTV Trail, please attend. We want to hear your opinions.” Many people turned out to discuss both issues.
To start off the comments, Miller read emails and messages that she had received about opening the streets and trails. The Monticello Community Club presented a resolution that they asked the board to review. The resolution asked that all streets in the village that have a speed limit of 35 mph or less be authorized for all terrain vehicles and utility terrain vehicles. The resolution also requested that the Village notify the DNR of their support for opening portions of the Badger and Sugar River trails to ATVs and UTVs.
People who attended spoke both in favor and against opening the trails. Those in favor said that opening the trails would improve downtown businesses and said that ATV use was a family friendly activity. They added that many ATV groups work to maintain and repair trails. Those opposed spoke of noise, dust, safety issues, and a possible negative effect on property values for people who live along the trails.
After listening to those who wished to speak, citizens were reminded that the board could only act on allowing ATVs and UTVs on the streets in the Village. The board heard a motion to allow ATVs, UTVs and golf carts on all streets with a speed limit of 35 mph or less.
The board also invited anyone to discuss the issues of dogs in the park. Earlier this year signs went up banning dogs in the park, although the board had not passed any actions about that. The signs were in response to the amount of dog feces in the park, including one incident when a memorial had dog feces all over it.
Once again, Miller read messages that she had received. People spoke of seeing dogs off leash in the ballpark, and seeing people not cleaning up after their dogs. There were also comments about the park being a safe place to walk dogs.
Following the discussion, the board decided to allow dogs to be walked in the park. However, Miller noted, “I would like to remind each of you that you MUST pick up your dog feces. If you are seen not picking up your dog feces, you will be fined immediately, no warnings given. We ask you, as a citizen, if you witness someone not picking up after their dog, please report it to the police. A date, time, and what the citizen is wearing will help the police tremendously. It is not fair to our hard-working Public Works Employees, who keep our park looking beautiful, other responsible citizens, and children at play, to have to deal with dog feces while doing their jobs or enjoying the park. A friendly reminder to keep your dog on a leash as well. We want our park to be welcoming to everyone.”
