By Stephen Vance, Staff
Roughly 75 residents attended a public meeting at Meaford Hall on September 14 to learn about a draft bylaw under consideration which would allow off-road, all terrain vehicles (ATVs) on most roadways under the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Meaford.
Should the bylaw pass when it comes before council for a vote, the operation of Off-Road Vehicles would be permitted on a roads under the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Meaford and in accordance with Ontario Regulation 316/03 of the Highway Traffic Act (as amended), the Off-Road Vehicles Act (as amended), and in accordance with the provisions of the bylaw.
Mayor Barb Clumpus told the audience that the purpose of the September 14 meeting was to gauge public opinion on the issue.
“The purpose of this meeting is to gauge opinion, or a lack of support for this proposed bylaw,” explained Clumpus.
The audience was overwhelmingly supportive of the proposed bylaw, however some residents expressed concerns about noise and damage to roads, while those in favour of the proposed bylaw expressed a desire to also be able to access some roads in urban Meaford in order to be able to purchase fuel and food.
As currently written, the proposed bylaw does not allow ATVs to venture onto urban municipal roads, or on the Georgian Trail, and municipal parks.
“I am in favour of this bylaw, but I do have one question with regards to the fact that there’s no access to the town of Meaford. My question to that is, where do they get gas, and if they wish to use the restaurants that we have in the town of Meaford, there’s no access, and I think one of the reasons we want this bylaw is to bring tourism (into the urban core),” expressed one resident. “So you should designate some roads to get them into the gas stations and possibly Market Square where they could park and walk from there.”
That sentiment was expressed by many who approached the microphone to offer their thoughts, however there were residents at the meeting opposed to the proposed bylaw.
One resident expressed concern about lawsuits should an accident happen with an ATV on a municipal road.
“I can tell you right now, that every time there’s an accident, you (the municipality) will be sued. You’ll be sued because the plaintiff’s lawyer would be negligent if they don’t sue everyone that could possibly be liable,” said the resident.
Another had concerns about noise.
“I am very much against the proposed bylaw. Personally I don’t think they belong on the roads,” said the resident. “This bylaw would only benefit a few, and it would disturb the peace of many. We moved to the country to enjoy the peace and quiet of the countryside.”
Council is expected to vote on the bylaw at their September 28 meeting.
