Henry County board OKs ATV ordinance

Henry County will soon have an ordinance governing all-terrain vehicles and off-road utility vehicles.

The Henry County Board of Supervisors approved the first reading of the ordinance on Tuesday.

The board split 2-1 to approve the proposal with board Chairman Marc Lindeen voting no.

“I cannot vote in support of this ordinance at all,” Lindeen said, citing the noise they create and complaints he has heard from residents. “I think we are setting our county up for some frivolous lawsuits.”

The ordinance states, “It is the intent of this ordinance to keep ATV and UTV operation on Henry County paved roadways to an absolute minimum.”

It allows for crossing a paved roadway and operating on a paved roadway only as far as the closest unpaved road. Speed of the vehicles is limited to 35 mph. Use is limited to an hour before sunrise and an hour after sunset unless the vehicle is equipped with adequate lighting.

All ATVs and UTVs must be registered with the state Department of Natural Resources.

The ordinance requires three readings to be approved. It is scheduled on the board agenda for Thursday.