Town cautions ATV drivers not to use roads yet

The Town of Fredonia has an ordinance allowing all-terrain utility vehicles to travel on town roads, but it doesn’t go into effect until signs are erected saying so.

Nonetheless, that’s apparently not stopped some from riding, Town Board members were told last week.

“They’re not allowed until the signs are up,” Supr. Jim Stemper said after residents reported seeing the vehicles being driven on some roads.

The town approved an ordinance late last year to allow all-terrain and utility-terrain vehicles — ATVs and UTVS, respectively — to travel on town roads and some county roads where the speed limit is under 35 mph.        

Fredonia is the first town in Ozaukee County to pass such an ordinance, though townships in Washington, Sheboygan and other counties have done so.

When the ordinance was approved, members of the Belgium-based Lakeshore ATV/UTV Club told town officials the club would pay for the installation of the signs.

But a club official told town officials that the cost of the county doing the work was prohibitive and proposed that club volunteers install the signs on town roads to save money.

Town Chairman Lance Leider said the matter would be placed on the Town Board agenda next month for discussion and possible action.

Meanwhile, town officials suggested the club get liability insurance that would allow them to install the signs.

Board members advised residents to call the Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Office or the Department of Natural Resources if they see utility vehicles being driven on public roads in the town.