May 12, 2021
Two Rock County townships disagree on whether to allow ATV and UTV access on town roads.
The Town of Plymouth board voted unanimously this week to create an ordinance for off-road vehicles on streets, while the Town of Magnolia board voted against a similar proposal.
Plymouth Town Chairperson Don Bomkamp said their ordinance won’t go into effect until signs are posted on the street, which could take a few weeks.
Magnolia Town Chair Kurt Bartlett did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday night.
In the April election, Rock County voters in the Village of Orfordville and towns of Avon, Center, Plymouth and Union passed an advisory referendum in support of allowing ATVs and UTVs on the roads.
April referendums in four Rock County towns and one village would let ATV enthusiasts share rural roads with cars and trucks.
The goal is to eventually connect with a system of ATV road routes and off-road trails that is developing across the state, opening up new kinds of outdoor recreation and tourism spending, said Jason Knox of the Western Rock County ATV Club.
The Gazette could find no formal opposition, but concerns about safety and noise have been expressed locally and around the state.
The referendums, all advisory, will be on the April 6 ballot in Orfordville and the towns of Avon, Center, Plymouth and Union.