In the span of a little more than a month, the Ellsworth Village Board’s Streets and Sidewalks Committee worked with a group of village residents and got an ordinance passed that now allows golf …
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In the span of a little more than a month, the Ellsworth Village Board’s Streets and Sidewalks Committee worked with a group of village residents and got an ordinance passed that now allows golf carts to be operated on village streets.
With publication of the ordinance in this week’s edition of The Journal making it official, fire up that golf cart and hit the road. Well actually, you can hit some roads, but be careful!
With the ordinance passing unanimously at the Village Board meeting last Monday night, Village Board member Neil Gulbranson said, “I think we put together a pretty darn good ordinance.”
The Streets and Sidewalks Committee met with residents twice in June, and Village Attorney Robert Loberg drafted the ordinance.
“We did have good information and worked together combining things from different towns. I think we have a good ordinance,” said committee chair Michael Steele. “There’s strict rules that have to be followed.”
The golf carts, under the ordinance, can’t cross roads with a speed limit over 35 mph, which is most of Hwy. 65 on the north end of the village.
“Someone was talking about getting to the golf course,” said Gulbranson. “I don’t know how that’s going to happen unless you cross on private land. That’s state law.”
“It’s going to be a learning experience,” said Gulbranson._ Golf carts have to be registered with the Ellsworth Police Department and there’s a $40 annual fee. A seatbelt is required in the golf carts for kids 16 and under.
The ordinance will be revisited at the end of the year to make sure there are no problems.
The normal period golf carts can be driven on village streets will be from April 1 – Nov. 1.
Roads where crossing isn’t allowed include: Hwy. 65 and: Golf Course Road, Madonna Street, Crosstown Road, Overlook Drive, Industrial Road.
-The Maple and Main Street intersection.
Hwy. C and 63.
One resident asked why roads can’t be crossed.
“I can walk across it. I can pedal my bike across it, but I can’t drive a golf cart?” He asked.
“We’re going to go with state law,” said Gulbranson.
The board was questioned how Prescott residents can cross Hwy. 10 and go to Ptacek’s IGA there.
