By Tracy Ouellette
Editor
Troy Strand, owner of The Grist Mill, spoke the East Troy Village Board Monday night about opening a snowmobile trail in the village to give snowmobilers access to fueling stations and other businesses in East Troy.
Strand told the board the proposed trail would help bring people into East Troy, promoting business. He said he had permission from all the landowners on the proposed trail and area businesses such as Cousin’s, The Grist Mill and Country Inn & Suites were “all for it.”
He proposed keeping the speed limit around 10-15 miles per hour in the village limits with posted signs reminding riders “Stay on the trail or we’ll lose it.”
Strand also said he’d like to try opening the trail on a trial basis, “Let’s try it for a year and then see if it’s worth it.”
Board members expressed concerns about making sure all the landowners with the trail running through their property had given their permission for the trail and told Strand he would need to provide written proof of that before they would consider the idea more.
Police Chief Alan Boyes cited several concerns from a police standpoint, first and foremost the necessity of modifying village ordinances to allow for snowmobile use within the village limits. As it stands now, it’s illegal to operate a snowmobile or ATV on village property. He said enforcing the standing ordinance would be difficult if the new trail opened as not every one would have access to it unless they either broke the law or trailered their sleds in.
“I’m not opposed to the snowmobilers themselves,” said Boyes. “As long as we have a ordinance for them.”
“A lot of people are landlocked and can’t get to the trail,” said Trustee Dustan Stanford, who was acting as the meeting chairman in the absence of Village President Randy Timms.
Strand said County Inn, The Grist Mill and other businesses were willing to let snowmobilers park their trailers on their properties to allow access. Board members were concerned that might cause a problem by filling up parking lots and said they would want written permission for that as well, so they would have a guarantee the businesses knew what they were getting into.
The board tabled the discussion after requesting Strand get written permission from the landowners and businesses involved and then meet with Boyes to hash out a workable business plan with any suggested ordinance changes to bring back to the board.
“We have a little time before the snow flies,” said Stanford.
New on the force
Joshua DeMeio was hired as a part-time police officer for the Village of East Troy Monday night.
DeMeio graduated from the Law Enforcement Recruit Academy on Aug. 30 and is certifiable as a police officer in the State of Wisconsin.
DeMeio, 22, moved to East Troy with his parents when he was 6 years old and graduated from East Troy High School in 2010. He comes from a law enforcement family, as his father is a police officer with the City of Oconomowoc.
DeMeio attended Waukesha County Technical College and received his Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice in May of 2012 and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee from August 2012 to May 2013. While he was working toward his associate’s degree, he completed an internship or co-op experience with the Village of East Troy Police Department from January to May of 2012.
In other business, the board approved:
• the East Troy Chamber of Commerce’s permit for the annual Cycling Classic to be held June 20, 2014:
• Wisconsin Ovens request for zoning changes and gave final approval on its planned development at 2673 Main St., subject to the final plans addressing the village engineer’s outstanding items;
• Main Street Motors new location at 2654 Main St.;
• Contract Comestibles site plans for 2004 Beulah Ave.;
• a 10-foot multiuse path for the Highway 20 construction project;
• a new sign at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.
