Rather than extending the current off-road vehicles (ORV) bylaw, council has gone ahead and approved an amended bylaw without an expiry date.
On Monday night, a report was put in front of council asking for an extension to the current bylaw in order to make changes regarding where the ORVs would be allowed.
Due to an increase in service calls made to CK police, several recommendations were put forward, which would restrict the use of ORVs in several urban centres.
During the meeting, Councillor Steve Pinsonneault made an amendment to basically scrap that recommendation so that Chatham would be the only restricted urban centre.
The bylaw will allow residents to operate ORVs in areas such as Blenheim, Dresden, Ridgetown, Tilbury, Wallaceburg, and Wheatley. However, Pinsonneault's amendment adds Murray St, McNaughton Ave., and Dufferin Ave. in Wallaceburg to the restricted roads list.
"By doing this it is going to benefit our economic development in small communities," says Pinsonneault.
Engineering Technologist Mark Ceppi speaking to the ORV by-law. March 6, 2017. (Photo by Natalia Vega)
Several councillors and municipal staff discussed the road restrictions and voting on a permanent bylaw.
After much deliberation council voted 12-4 for the amended bylaw to be enacted without an expiry date.
This appeared to please many in council chambers as an applause echoed through the room.
Afterwards the head of the Chatham-Kent ATV Club, Vince Masse, spoke with BlackburnNews.com saying he was pleased with the end result.
"I was feeling strong all the way through but it got confusing tonight because of the changes they made," says Masse. "We proved ourselves to council, we proved ourselves to the mayor and it's a good feeling that we're moving forward with this."
He adds the club will continue its fundraising efforts and putting money back into the community.
"The majority of ATV riders are responsible and I see this as a real plus for our economic development within Chatham-Kent," says Pinsonneault.
Police Chief Gary Conn was not present at Monday night's council meeting for comment.