Advisory vote about Salem ATV routes is on Nov. 4 ballot

By Gail Peckler-Dziki

Correspondent

Town of Salem residents will have a local referendum question to answer on the Nov. 4 gubernatorial election ballot: “Shall the Salem Town Board adopt an ordinance which would authorize the operation of all-terrain vehicles on certain Town roads designated as ATV routes?”

The non-binding referendum was authorized by a resolution passed unanimously by the Salem Town Board at the Aug. 11 regular town board meeting.

At a public input session held July 2, the town board received significant input from town residents and board members felt that the public was about evenly divided on the issue.

A “yes” vote cast for the question indicates the voter approves of the ATV routes; a “no” vote indicates the voter does not approve of the ATV routes.

Some residents who have expressed a negative attitude toward the routes have said there are already ATVs being driven on town roads. But others who favor the measure have said that an ordinance giving specific routes would address that issue more directly than it has been done in the past.

If the town board does allow three limited ATV routes, as discussed, the change would not take place immediately.

Instead, implementation would take a while before the routes could actually be set up and used. Mike Langel, a Salem town resident who has requested the routes, has explained that a club would have to be established, with enough members to cover the cost of required signs.

“There is no reason to use taxpayer dollars to set up the signs on the routes,” Langel said.

An ATV route is one that runs on a town road, while a trail is off-road. ATV tires aren’t made for high speeds because they have lower air pressure, it has been explained. Even ATV tires made for use on black top have lower air pressure.

The numerous requirements for ATVs that would be allowed on a town road route include:

• head and taillights on at all times,

• brake lights mufflers and noise level requirements, and

• spark arresters.

Also, the routes would be located on the far right side of the road, and not in ditches.

The town can set ATV speed limits, but the state has strict limits, also. When within 100 feet of a dwelling or pedestrian, the ATV speed limit is 10 mph. Also, ATV riders must follow posted speed limits that might be less than the maximum allowed.

While the referendum will be only advisory, town chair Diann Tesar said she expects that the numbers in the votes cast will count when the town board makes its final decision.

 

 


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