ATV/UTV traffic is being considered by the village of Wittenberg

During the public forum section of the July 7 village of Wittenberg board meeting, Don Aanonsen asked that the board consider allowing all-terrain vehicles and utility task vehicles to use the village roads. Aanonsen, a resident of Eland, served as spokesman for the group of 16 ATV/UTV enthusiasts who attended the board meeting. Four were Wittenberg residents.

Aanonsen informed the board that the village is the only one in western Shawano County that does not allow the operation of ATVs or UTVs within the village limits. He noted that downtown businesses would most likely see an increase in revenue if passage were allowed.

Full access to all streets within the village would be the best option, according to the group that attended the meeting. But Aanonsen offered to create a map of more limited routes.

Board members raised concerns about speed limits, safety and age limits.

Aanonsen explained that children 12 to 18 years old who have obtained a driving certificate are allowed to operate the vehicles, provided they wear helmets and do not carry passengers.

He further explained that these are licensed vehicles that have headlights, taillights and stop lights as required by law. He also noted that ATVs generally cost around $5,000 and UTVs can cost as much as $30,000, which he felt was a deterrent to bad behavior by youth.

The Shawano Sheriff’s department is in charge of enforcing speed limits and curfews, but Aanonsen noted that drivers tend to police the actions of other drivers if they are doing anything that may wreck the sport for everyone, much the same way snowmobilers watch for and address bad behavior.

Any laws or ordinances provided through the village would apply to the drivers and, according to Aanonsen, this would include posted speed limits and curfews for minors.

Dr. Bruce Beversdorf, Eland, owned a business in Wittenberg for 40 years and acknowledged the concerns of the board regarding unsupervised youth, but he also felt opening up the streets to ATV/UTV traffic would bring business to the area. He recently encountered eight drivers who were in need of gas but couldn’t fill up in Wittenberg as there was no access.

Trustee member Paul Yaeger explained to the group that the board would need to review ordinances to determine how best to proceed and gather feedback from residents.

Trustee Dave Timm was concerned about marking the accepted trails in the village limits. Aanonsen assured him that if the village would pay for the signage, he would find the volunteers need to install them.

Village Clerk Traci Matsche agreed to put a map, once it’s provided by Aanonsen, on the village website and Facebook page and will put the issue on the July 21 meeting agenda.

The village board would like input from Wittenberg residents who are encouraged to contact the board by email at wittbrg@gmail.com, by calling 715-253-6063 or by dropping off a note in the office dropbox located on the right wall of the Community Center entryway, 208 W. Vinal St., Wittenberg.

mnelson@newmedia-wi.com