Council putts around golf carts

By DAVE MARTIN
Correspondent

August 05, 2008 10:41 am

— MIDDLEBURY, Ind. — Should golf carts be allowed on city streets?
That’s the question before the Middlebury Town Council, and they’d like the public’s help in deciding.
The issue was raised when a resident asked the council at a recent meeting if operating a golf cart on Middlebury’s streets would be legal. The resident, who could not make Monday’s Town Council meeting, said that he would like to use his golf cart in place of his car to get around town and save gasoline.
This spurred Town Manager Lowell Miller into research.
Miller said that he looked at golf cart use in other Indiana towns and at Indiana statutes.
He said golf carts are considered moving vehicles and state statutes place “significant restrictions” on what must be included in any town ordinances relating to golf cart use on streets and highways. For example, before carts can be used on streets and highways, they must be registered as moving vehicles and undergo safety inspections, much like automobiles did in the 1960s and 1970s.
“(The public) needs to know they can’t just jump on a golf cart and go (on the streets),” Miller said.
Councilman Jack Kortie added that golf cart drivers must have a driver’s license to operate a cart on the public streets.
And Council President Gary O’Dell cautioned that Middlebury’s ordinances on the issue would not apply to Ind. 13, since it is a state highway.
After the meeting, Miller said that only one person has inquired on the issue at the town offices this summer.
Following Miller’s report, council members decided to table the issue and take informal public comments. If significant response is elicited, the panel will then schedule a public hearing on the golf cart issue.
No audience members commented on the issue Monday.
In other matters, the council took under review three widely ranging bids for 10 street projects in Middlebury.
1st Brooks Construction of Goshen was the apparent low bidder at $402,122. Rieth-Riley Construction of Elkhart was the high bidder at $515,492.
The next council meeting will be at 6 p.m. Aug. 18 at Town Hall on North Main Street.

Should golf carts be allowed on city streets?

• Any Middlebury resident who has an opinion on the issue should call a council member or contact officials at Town Hall, 418 N. Main St. The number for Town Hall is 825-1499.