After receiving a petition signed by 50 village residents asking that the snowmobile ordinances be better enforced, Dolgeville Police Chief Howard Lanphier began working on a plan not only for snowmobiles, but for all terrain vehicles as well.
“We have to work with the snowmobile clubs and the ATV club to stop riders from violating our ordinances,” said Lanphier. “At the same time we have a great untapped resource here, and that resource is tourism, especially winter tourism. We have to develop a plan that does not impede our future tourism opportunities, but at the same time does not impact the quality of life of our residents. It’s a balancing act.”
The petition, presented last month by Trustee Barbara Boucher, who at the time was a candidate for office, said there was a lack of police enforcement when it comes to people riding on sidewalks and at night. The petition asked for more active participation by the police department, including the establishment of a checkpoint to issue tickets to riders at the start of the season, as well as throughout the winter months.
“We can work with the clubs to deal with the signage issues raised by the petition, but to establish a checkpoint we would need manpower and the proper equipment,” said Lanphier. “I’m not going to risk the health and safety of my officers or the riders by sending a patrol car after a snowmobile. In response to the petition I reached out to the village of Old Forge to see how they deal with the issue, as well as to the New York State Snowmobile Association. Their suggestion was to establish a dedicated snowmobile and ATV patrol, which there is funding available to do.”
“I do not ride snowmobiles, but at the same time I realize that a large number of the people who live in Dolgeville do,” said Mayor Bruce Lyon. “I also realize that a very small percentage of those people who ride snowmobiles are not following the rules. It’s not everyone who is breaking the law. We have to do something to enforce the ordinances and keep everyone safe, but at the same time we do not want to turn snowmobilers away because of the tourism they bring to the village. We are a connecting point between Herkimer and Fulton counties, and that attracts riders.”
Lanphier said that he would meet with the clubs to discuss the ordinances in place, and what can be done to educate riders about them.
He also said that he would seek out more information on the grant funding available to start a snowmobile and ATV patrol.
“It’s something to look into, as outside of training our officers we need the proper equipment to start a patrol,” said Lanphier. “This funding could help us in that regard, and is something worth looking into. At the same time, we have to look at properly signing the trails and putting the proper signs up in the village, as that is part of the problem. These are things that we can begin work on now so we are ready for winter.”
The board of trustees supported the police chief in inquiring about the funding to start a patrol, and in setting up meetings with the clubs.
“We have to do something,” said Trustee Leann Nagle-Weaver. “Not only for the safety of the riders, but for the safety of everyone else.”