Westfield — After extensive resident testimony both for and against, the Westfield City Council on July 28 adopted an amended ordinance that expands and standardizes where and how golf carts may be used in the city. The measure — which councilors amended before final passage — sets permitting and inspection rules, driver and equipment requirements, new fines and a one-year permit-revocation penalty for repeat violations. The ordinance takes effect Nov. 1.

The ordinance responds to long-running confusion in the city about where golf carts are allowed, especially because a prior, limited ordinance allowed carts around the Bridgewater area and on part of the Midland Trace Trail. Mayor Benjamin Willis told the council he supported updating the law to make enforcement consistent across the city.

Supporters at the meeting said regulated golf-cart use helps neighborhood mobility and downtown businesses. “This ordinance brings Westfield in line with best practices and makes access more consistent across our neighborhoods,” said Ryan Morris, who described personal and family use of a cart that previously served his household. Opponents said trails and parks were designed for pedestrians and bicycles and that enforcement resources are inadequate. “Our trails were designed for human-powered movement, not motorized traffic,” said Lisa Hoddle, a former parks director who also warned of potential federal grant implications for trail funding.

What the ordinance does: It requires a city-issued permit and inspection (a $100 initial inspection and $50 biannual inspections), minimum driver age 16 with a valid driver’s license, minimum liability insurance equal to state auto limits, and specified street-legal equipment such as headlights, taillights and turn signals. The ordinance allows carts on roadways posted at 25 mph or less and sets a 15 mph limit on named trails; council amended the text to also lower perimeter-trail limits to 15 mph. The ordinance excludes Monon Trail, Asa Bales Trail, Natalie Wheeler Trail and city-owned parks from permitted cart use. It also removes prior language that had tied penalties to a state “Class C” infraction and instead sets escalating fines of $100 for a first offense, $150 for a second and $300 for a third or subsequent sequential offense; after three violations a permit may be revoked for one year and vehicles may be impounded with associated fees.

Enforcement and next steps: Police Chief Sean King described organizational changes to trail and neighborhood patrols and plans for enforcement, including targeted overtime patrols between April and November, portable cameras for problem areas, adding records access for permits to in-field systems and exploring volunteer trail observers to report issues. Chief King also noted that state laws already apply for intoxicated operation and hand-held-phone bans on public roads. The council directed staff to finalize corrections to the ordinance exhibit map (Exhibit A) and clarified that several map and speed-limit changes will be coordinated with traffic regulation updates and parks board rules.

Council action: Councilor Kurt Wanninger moved to amend the originally introduced ordinance to (a) reduce perimeter-trail speed to 15 mph and (b) correct mapping errors including the Natalie Wheeler Trail labeling; Councilor Noah Herron seconded. The amendment passed by roll call and the council then adopted Ordinance No. 25-30 as amended. The council set Nov. 1 as the ordinance’s effective date to allow time for public education, permit logistics and equipment/inspection processes.

What remains unresolved: Residents and councilors asked for clearer maps, consistent signage, additional trail lighting and further work on enforcement metrics, including data on current trail incidents and a plan for monitoring e-bikes and other motorized devices on multiuse paths. The parks board will separately set named-trail hours and enforcement detail for parks-owned facilities. Council members said they will revisit the ordinance if enforcement or public-safety outcomes require adjustments.