Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Westfield council adopts amended golf-cart ordinance after hours of public comment
Summary
After more than an hour of public comment and two amendments, the Westfield City Council adopted an ordinance setting new rules for golf-cart use on city streets, perimeter paths and named trails, establishing permitting, inspection and enforcement steps and setting an effective date of Nov. 1.
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…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
