The Cass County Board of Supervisors today (Wednesday), approved an Ordinance with regard to the operation of All-Terrain Vehicles and Utility-Terrain Vehicles (ATV’s & UTV’s), on designated County roads. The Ordinance goes into effect as soon as it’s published in the local paper, which is expected to take place Thursday. During the meeting, the issue of turn signals resurfaced, with Supervisor Steve Green mentioning the constituents in his District still expressed concerns over safety. Green said they were worried hand signals wouldn’t be as effective than turn signals in determining the ATV/UTV operator’s intentions, and wouldn’t be seen until it was took late.

Dennis Murphy, with Nishna Valley Cycle, said turn signals could be added to the machines, but it was also pointed out the cost of the signals and installation could run anywhere from $200-to $300 or higher. After the hearing was closed, the Supervisors approved the Ordinance as drafted, and then discussed a little more the issue of turn signals. In the end though, they declined to include the devices in the Ordinance. Supervisor Steve Green then had only final comment for those in attendance, and anyone riding an ATV or UTV…He implored them to “Please be careful out there, guys.”

In other business, the Cass County Supervisors approved a partial project payment of $153,424 to Crow River Construction, for work completed on the gray water transmission line to the ethanol plant under construction. Snyder and Associates Engineer Dave Sturm said the line is nearly complete, with just a 100-foot section to be installed. That will be done when there’s warmer weather.