Redstone Twp. OKs three ordinances
REDSTONE TWP. – The Redstone Township Supervisors, at a special meeting Friday, passed ordinances restricting the use of all-terrain vehicles, extending business tax exemptions and increasing taxes on people working in the township. All three ordinances passed unanimously and with little or no comment from the public. About a half dozen people were in attendance.
The only public comment came regarding the ordinance on recreational vehicles including ATVs and snowmobiles. The township’s new ordinance prohibits the use of such vehicles on public streets or land, including playgrounds and parking lots or on private land without written permission of the owner. It also places age restrictions on recreational vehicle use, prohibiting the use by anyone younger than the age of 10 and requiring those between ages 10 and 15 to be on land owned by their parents, under the direct supervision of a safety instructor or can show proof that they have received safety instruction.
Frank Grahek of German Township said he enjoys riding his quad through the woods from Ronco to his son’s house in Redstone Township.
“I paid a lot of money for my quad; I’ve got a license on it; I’ve got insurance. You can’t run it anywhere. The police are nitpicking,” Grahek said.
Grahek said he realizes there are people who violate the law, but quad riders who follow the law are also being punished by imposing further restrictions on them.
The new ordinance sets the penalty for violating the recreational vehicle ordinance at a minimum of $300 and a maximum of $1,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 90 days.
“We’ve had a lot of complaints about quads riding the streets. We were just trying to find a way to put some teeth into the ordinance in the best way we can, to keep them off the roads,” said Ralph Rice, supervisors chairman.
Supervisor George Matis said there also have been problems with damage to both private and public property by ATV riders. He noted that riders must have the permission of property owners to ride on or across their land.
Also approved Friday was an ordinance replacing the $10 occupational privilege tax with a $52 a year Emergency and Municipal Services tax. The supervisors previously announced that they intend to use the increased funding to help cover the cost of police protection in the township.
The supervisors also unanimously approved tax exemptions for deteriorated industrial sites within the township through the Local Economic Revitalization Tax Act (LERTA). Information on the exemption schedule and procedure to secure an exemption is available at the township office.