Snowmobiles on Village Trail Draw Unhappy Crowd to Village Board Meeting
Who would have thought that during a near-snowless winter that snowmobiles would draw a large and vocal crowd to Tuesday night's village board of trustees meeting?
A number of local residents -- walkers, crosscountry skiers, snowshoers and bird watchers -- spoke out against snowmobiles operating on the village-owned trail that runs from Milford Street, past the municipal airport, out to Woodman Pond and on to Bouckville. They complained that the presence of snowmobiles created both safety and environmental issues.
And, they complained loudest of all that the village itself had posted signs directing snowmobilers along the trails to the Sunoco station on Utica Street. It was never really made clear what led to the signs being erected, but it seems that members of the village DPW Department installed them. They will be taking them down on Wednesday.
During the discussion, the portion of village law regarding snowmobiles was read aloud and it spells out that snowmobiles may not be operated on any village-owned property such as the trails. Village law also states that snowmobiles may not be operated within 200 feet of any dwelling between the hours of 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. the following morning.
Mayor Margaret Miller did not comment when asked how and why the village would violate its own ordinance.
Trustee Sam Cooper asked, "Is there any way to coexist? If there were restrictions, is there any way to share it (the trail)?"
Ken Werner, one of the most vocal opponents of snow machines answered: "No. There is no way it can be done safely."
Others also complained that ATVs and dirt bikes are being ridden on the trail. It was also pointed out that snowmobiles have crossed the runway at the airport.
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