Fines raised for ATV violations

VERNON-As part of the town's battle against the illegal operation of ATV's, the council on June 13 increased fines for violations of the ATV ordinance more than ten-fold. Under the old ordinance, the maximum fine for illegal ATV operation was $100. Under the new fine schedule approved by the council, fines were increased for a first offense to a minimum of $100 and a maximum of $1,250. In addition, first-time offenders may be sentenced to up to 90 days of community service. For second offense within one year of the first, offenders may be sentenced to up to 90 days in jail in addition to the same penalties in effect for first offenders. For each subsequent offense, a mandatory 90-day stay in jail is called for in addition to a mandatory 90 days community service. Town officials said that during the past two weeks, two illegal ATV riders had been apprehended, one by township police and one by Wawayanda Park Rangers. No further details were available at press time. In other action, the council authorized trading in a road sweeper purchased last year for $146,000 on a different model. The council also agreed to spend another $30,000 for the new machine. Under questioning by Councilman Phil Weiler, Ed Snook, the director of public works, said that the machine purchased last year was tested on a level stretch of road and worked fine. But when it was taken out on the township's steeper roads, it lost suction and didn't work. "I made a mistake," Snook said. "I'm not proud of it.