Outagamie County sets restrictions
By Robert Cloud
Signs are ready to install to indicate where the city of New London has designated routes for all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).
The local ATV Club has paid the city $1,200 to cover the cost of the signs.
Common Council approved ATV routes in the city of New London in October 2020, with the new ordinance taking effect on April 1.
However, City Administrator Chad Hoerth informed the Finance and Personnel Committee at its March 3 meeting that ATV routes along Outagamie County trunk highways will require permits.
The designated ATV routes in New London include County Trunk T, which includes parts of Mill Street and Beacon Avenue.
Hoerth said due to the county’s permit process, the city will have some “hoops to jump through.”
Outagamie County’s permit process requires that New London must hold a public hearing, notify by mail all property owners on the ATV route of the hearing and the proposed route, take official action approving the route at the public hearing and pay the county a one-time permit fee of $350.
The Public Works Board and New London Common Council were planning to discuss the issue at a joint meeting on Tuesday, March 9.
Hoerth and Police Chief Jeffrey Schlueter have recommended the council approve amendments to the ATV ordinance so the city’s ATV routes are compatible with Outagamie County Code.
The amendments will prohibit ATV usage on Outagamie County T, County S and County DD within New London city limits.
Hoerth recommended the council approve the amendments in a single reading so that the city can open its ATV routes by April 1.