| HOWARD TOWNSHIP - Truck drivers can no longer go from eastern Niles to Dowagiac, taking the short cut of Barron Lake Road. They could face a civil infraction if found in violation of the township ordinance.
The Howard Township Board voted unanimously Tuesday evening to change the recently penned ordinance, at a request from attorneys with the Michigan Township Association, changing the penalty from a misdemeanor to a civil infraction.
The ordinance pertains to trucks with four or more axles and where the truck travel does not originate or terminate on Barron Lake Road within the township. According to Michigan law, the county road commission will be responsible for putting out signs to carry out the provisions of the ordinance.
Trustee Shelby Farmer said that strip of road is the township's most densely populated area, and there are also two parks along the road.
"Residents have not felt safe on the road," Farmer said. "There's also been some trouble with them speeding. This will break down truck traffic tremendously."
Local resident Dave McCarty disagreed with the ordinance and said it was unclear which trucks would be in violation. "And who will enforce this?" he asked.
"I'm sure this will all be worked out," said Township Supervisor Michael Sutherland.
McCarty is also the owner of one of the two restaurants in the area that he said could be impacted by the ordinance.
The two restaurants often have truckers at their establishments because they come in and out of Barron Lake Road, McCarty said. Truckers not able to use the road might now go somewhere else, he added. He said that many of the details of the ordinance were unclear.
In other business, the township board amended fire department by-laws to eliminate the position of Assistant Chief and add the title of Captain.
| 
02.20.2008
Similar Threads 
Linear Mode
