UTV ORDINANCE EYED — Toronto Council Monday discussed a proposed ordinance regulating utility task vehicles in the city. City Police have suggested the ordinance to address safety issues that may arise from use of the vehicles, which are of a different class than all-terrain vehicles used for recreation. -- Warren Scott

TORONTO — City Police have proposed an ordinance regulating the use of utility task vehicles in the city, citing a desire to address safety issues related to the vehicles.

City Police Chief Charley Daniels noted the ordinance would apply to vehicles used for hauling, plowing snow and performing other tasks and not all-terrain vehicles used primarily for recreation.

The proposed ordinance maintains the prohibition against ATV use on city streets unless it is for plowing snow.

It defines a UTV as a motorized vehicle with not less than four and not more than eight non-highway tires, a bucket seat or bench not intended to be straddled by the driver and a steering wheel.

It notes ATVs generally are equipped only with handlebars for control.

Asked the motive for the ordinance, Daniels said, “It’s becoming more prevalent that people are riding these on city roads and we’re just trying to get ahead of this.”

If approved, the ordinance would require owners to obtain two-year permits and show proof of insurance to use them on city streets, which would be issued pending the acquisition of a state-issued license plate required for the vehicles to be driven on any public roadway in Ohio.

The license plates are obtained through the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Daniels said the permits and license plates are key to enforcing laws and regulations for the vehicles, allowing police to more easily identify their owners when a violation occurs.

At Monday’s Toronto Council meeting, Councilman at large Mike Burkey asked about the rationale behind some of the ordinance’s provisions, such as the requirement that drivers must be at least 18 years old.

Burkey noted 16-year-olds can obtain driver’s licenses in Ohio.

Daniels said the intention is to encourage safety.

He said for the same reason, the ordinance allows UTV use only during daylight hours.

Daniels said relevant portions of ordinances in other cities were lifted to draft the ordinance.

While prohibiting reckless operation and use on trails, parks or playgrounds, it also establishes certain criteria for the vehicles, such as proper lighting.

Daniels and other city police have agreed to answer any questions council might have about it at a meeting of council’s safety committee at 6 p.m. before council’s next regular meeting on Sept. 8 at the City Building.

Council also adopted a resolution honoring Betty G. Miller, a longtime resident who celebrated her 104th birthday on Aug. 6.

Miller died on Tuesday but was informed of the resolution prior to her death. She had been recognized by the county commissioners of Fayetteville County, Ga., where she had lived in recent years with her son, Mark, and his wife, Amanda.

The resolution noted Miller had been married for 46 years to Ralph Miller, a Toronto police officer who was killed in the line of duty in 1978.

Ralph had served in the Army during World War II and Betty lived with him in Colorado Springs, Colo., and other places where he was stationed following the war.

Betty was active in Toronto organizations, including the American Legion Post 86 Auxiliary, Toronto Eagles Lodge Auxiliary and Catholic Woman’s Club of Steubenville, serving as president of all three and in various offices with the Post 86 Auxiliary, of which she was a charter member.

She was inducted to the Ohio State Auxiliary Hall of Fame in 2017.

Miller worked as a cook at the American Legion Post, where she was known for her steaks, and at the Toronto Bandfathers Camp.

In addition to Mark, she and Ralph had two sons, Ralph Jr. and David, both now deceased, and two grandsons, Ryan and Jeremy; and a great-grandson, J.D.

Also on Monday:

�–� City Services Director Linda Burkey announced the city received one bid for a a snow plow-equipped four-wheel drive pickup truck, in the amount of $125,000, from Mike Kelly Excavating.

The truck is a 2023 GMC Sierra.

The bid was referred to the city’s board of control, which includes Burkey, City Safety Director William Scalley and Mayor John Parker.

�–� Burkey applauded city officials for seeing to the completion of street paving for the season. R&R Paving of Lisbon was hired for about $375,000 to pave all or part of North Fourth and North Third streets, Bell Avenue and Henry, Irene and Finley streets.

�–� Council set Halloween trick-or-treat hours at 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 30.

�–� Councilman at large Ron Holmes, a former school bus driver of 30 years, reminded all drivers to watch for children at bus stops and outside schools since the new school year has begun.