Fillmore says 'no' to ATV's

Friday, September 5, 2008

Fillmore Town Council members Jeff Osborn, Wes Terhune and Allen Jones approved the first reading of an ordinance that prevents ATV four-wheel vehicles from being driven on town streets.

The council is adopting the four-wheel ordinance already in place in the state of Indiana banning off-road vehicles on Indiana Streets. Anyone out of compliance with the ordinance will have their vehicle confiscated and receive a $100 fine for a first offense, $150 fine for a second, $200 for a third and a $500 fine for each additional infraction.

Local resident Cheryl Bumgardner asked if the new ordinance would apply to dirt and mini bikes.

"This particular ordinance only applies to ATV four-wheeled vehicles," explained Osborn. "We have to have law enforcement deal with this problem. As a town council we can't do anything but pass the ordinance."

Council members also approved paying for a Certified Public Accountant to come in to audit their books. The actual arrears for the town are $75,000 down from a previously reported $85,000.

"We've done all we can do at this point. Now, we need to bring somebody who knows what they are looking for to put all the pieces together," said Terhune.

Steven Forris asked if the CPA they were hiring was experienced with municipalities.

Clerk Wanda Sedlak explained they were retired from working for the state and this was exactly the kind of work they had been doing. The audit is expected to take about a month and cost between $3,000-$4,000.

"It has to be done," said Osborn. "We have taken all the boxes which were marked by years and sorted the papers. Wanda has done everything she could to get us this far. Now, we need some help."

The council is also working on a repayment program for persons who owe arrearages for their water and sewer bills. A Jan. 1, 2009 target date for implementation for the enforcement of the program is set. The repayment plan will be designed to help those who are making "good faith" efforts to catch up the amounts past due. Persons who are not making any effort to pay back amounts may get an "early shut-off."

Osborn said the program should be ready to present to the town by the end of the month.

The town council also set a date of Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. for a special meeting to discuss the changes of address due to issues with emergency management. Many numbers have to be changed in town in for better access for emergency personnel. A map of the town with the new numbers will be posted at Town Hall for review by residents. The special meeting is open to the public.

The Council also voted to have a Fall Town Clean Up day on Oct. 25. They also reminded residents of the Fillmore Volunteer Fire Department Chicken Barbeque on Sept. 19 and 20.

Comments
View 13 comments
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. Please note that those who post comments on this website may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.
  • Good decision on the ATV ordinance, people are bad enough with cars, let alone having quads zipping around.

    -- Posted by Xgamer on Fri, Sep 5, 2008, at 5:28 AM
  • Way to go Fillmore, now if only Greencastle will stop the Dirt Bikes and ATV's running all over Sherwood, Albin Pond, and Houck Road. This goes on most days and every week-end. This past week end one was up and dowm Houck Road for about 4 hours steady, you would think a Policeman would have seen it, or at least heard the noise, I think you could have heard it all the way to the Police Station.

    -- Posted by Trying hard on Fri, Sep 5, 2008, at 6:19 AM
  • There are responsible adult riders who enjoy ATV's in this county. Its a shame that the board doesn't take that into consideration. It would be nice if we could come into town to support your local restaurants on our ATV's.

    -- Posted by nascar_Couple on Fri, Sep 5, 2008, at 6:46 AM
  • Starting Oct. 1, 2007 individuals can ride all-terrain vehicles legally on Putnam County roads.

    With a unanimous vote from Commissioners Jim Baird, Gene Beck and Kristina Warren, the county ATV Ordinance received unanimous approval on Tuesday night.

    They set Oct. 1 as the effective date to give ATV owners time to register their vehicles with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and to notify local law enforcement of the new ordinance.

    About 15 people supporting the ordinance quietly awaited the commissioners' decision, and no one spoke against the measure, which has been under consideration since spring.

    Each commissioner said they had received phone calls both in favor and opposed to the ordinance.

    Warren said some people have concerns about ATV riders on the heavily traveled Manhattan Road.

    Baird said he has heard about damage to the roads, primarily from irresponsible people doing "doughnuts" which rut the county roads.

    "But they do that anyway," Warren said of joyriders spinning circles in the roads.

    While the commissioners have noted they could make certain county roads exempt from the ordinance, that might be more trouble than it's worth.

    "It could be problematic to start picking roads," Baird said.

    They agreed the law will be in effect for all county roads.

    State roads can only be crossed at a 90-degree angle by an ATV rider. Riders can also utilized the right-of-way running along the side of state roads, according to state code.

    Keith Hutcheson, who has represented a group in support of the ATV law, said DNR will give stickers to registered vehicles that should be visibly posted on both sides of the ATV. The registration and proof of insurance could be kept with the ATV at all times, he said.

    Warren pointed out that the visible stickers will make it easier for police to see which vehicles are in compliance with the ordinance without having to stop each ATV rider seen on a county road.

    -- Posted by nascar_Couple on Fri, Sep 5, 2008, at 8:42 AM
  • Good decision on the ATVs... Maybe there are some responsible adults riding them but many, many that are not responsible. We don't need them on the roads! So many of these riders can't possibly understand the danger they are putting themselves and others in by doing some of the ridiculous things on them. No, there's definitely no reason to allow them on the roads to create bigger problems for all. Thanks Fillmore...

    -- Posted by bannerstuff on Fri, Sep 5, 2008, at 8:44 AM
  • -- Posted by nascar_Couple on Fri, Sep 5, 2008, at 8:58 AM
  • With soaring gas prices & alternative transportation more in demand perhaps it is time to take a fresh look to allow small vehichles on all county roads and small town streets instead of banding them.

    Tho costly, maybe side lanes for ATVs, carts, Amish buggies, horses, etc.

    -- Posted by DJ on Fri, Sep 5, 2008, at 9:17 AM
  • Be careful whom you point out as they may be the one to save your life one day or your childs...

    Knowing the family of the officer personally they would in no way put their children in harms way. As I have seen them many times with helmets on their children and they are not the ones whom the "lady - CB" has pointed out I believe...it is the kids in town whose parents are not watching their children fool around on these motorized and unregistered vehicles.

    For those parents whom do not watch or keep up with their kids or what they are doing on ATV's, motorcycles etc...shame on you. Those are the ones that spoil it for the ones who are responsible.

    -- Posted by smartmom on Fri, Sep 5, 2008, at 9:48 AM
  • THE OLD BOARD ALL READY HAD THE LAW IN PLACE SOO !!!! WHAT IS THE NEW BOARD DOING KHOW ARE THEY JUST LOOKING GOOD AND GETTING PAY FOR THIS THEY NEED TO GET THERE WATER AND SEWER UNDERCONTROL

    -- Posted by BIG BOY on Fri, Sep 5, 2008, at 11:26 AM
  • sounds like its back to the horse and buggy in ol' fillmore

    -- Posted by minotaf2 on Fri, Sep 5, 2008, at 6:44 PM
  • Although the idea of driving ATVs on road ways may not sound safe, I do think it is a good idea! It is an easy way to save gas and get around. I believe there are requirements to drive your ATVs on county roads around the area such as: insurance, obeying regular traffic laws, and not being an idiot (although the last one isn't a law I think we would all be better off if it was.) And I support this and I don't even own an ATV!!!

    -- Posted by wow515 on Fri, Sep 5, 2008, at 9:44 PM
  • I have an idea: WALK! Fillmore is not the largest of towns and if soaring gas prices are what everyone is complaining about, walk in town. You can ride you ATV on the county roads as long as you are insured, as far as in town , what would be the point... gas. brake..gas....brake.

    -- Posted by WTFRUthinkin on Sat, Sep 6, 2008, at 5:39 AM
  • I spend my money where I can ride my atv-THANK YOU,Bainbridge,for seeing the trend and accepting it! What is Fillmore's logic on UTV and RTV using the streets?

    -- Posted by kubotafan on Mon, Sep 8, 2008, at 5:00 AM
Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: