(Beaver Dam) The Beaver Dam Common Council adopted an ordinance Monday night allowing ATV’s and UTV’s to be driven on city streets. The final vote was seven in favor and five against with alder’s Ken Anderson, Kay Appenfeldt, Mike Wissell, Jack Yuds, and Zack Zopp voting no. Alderwoman Bobbi Mark was not in attendance, but did submit a letter indicating she would have also voted no.
According to the ordinance, operators will be held to the same enforcement, expectations, penalties, and restrictions as those who drive a motorized vehicle under the influence. The speed limit is set at 35-miles-per-hour or the limit for automobiles, whichever is lower, and all drivers must have a valid license.
Before the vote, Aldermen Zack Zopp highlighted a few key changes to the ordinance if it was approved.
“It would not go into effect until the city of Beaver Dam has posted signage to that affect…if approved tonight it’s still pending signage before it becomes official, if approved,” said Zopp. “We also…[the] Operations Committee…removed the prohibition on certain streets. What that means is basically, if approved in its current form, all streets in Beaver Dam…Spring Street, Center Street, all ins-and-out routes would be open for all-terrain and UTV uses.”
There was no date given on when the signs would be posted, but city leaders said there will be a public announcement made when it does happen. A motion to make the ordinance go into effect on September 12th failed.
Non-operational hours are from 11pm to 4am. Originally, it was set between 11pm to 6am but was changed to better accommodate those going to work earlier in the morning.
