Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Georgetown council considers allowing golf carts and UTVs on village streets; staff asked to draft ordinance
Summary
Council discussed a staff proposal to allow low-speed vehicles such as golf carts and UTVs on village streets under state inspection and local requirements (insurance, annual inspection, operator license); council asked administration and solicitor to draft an ordinance for later review.
The Georgetown Village Council opened a discussion on whether to allow golf carts, utility task vehicles (UTVs) and similar low-speed vehicles to operate on village streets.
Sean (identified on the record) told the council state law requires registration, inspection and limitations on where those vehicles may travel and recommended the village could add local requirements such as insurance, annual inspections and operator licensing. "The purpose of this discussion is to ask the council to allow golf carts, utility vehicles, under speed vehicles, and similar to those speed vehicles to operate on village streets," Sean said.
Council members and residents raised enforcement and routing questions for streets that intersect state routes. Several council members noted that state law typically allows crossing a state highway but not traveling along it and that local enforcement and public education would be central. The police and fire chiefs (Chief Enloe and Chief Rocky) were mentioned as supportive of opening the rules beyond emergency and official use to residents, provided inspections and operator requirements are met.
The council asked the administration and the village solicitor (Joe) to draft a proposed ordinance or resolution for review at a future meeting. Members discussed potential limitations including daylight-only operation, minimum top speed requirements, insurance and operator-license requirements as local add-ons to state-mandated inspections.
No ordinance was introduced or voted on at the meeting; council directed staff and legal counsel to prepare language for the next meeting so the body can consider formal adoption.
