Club provides update on snowmobile trail

Wood City Riders Snowmobile Club president Chris Rokke updated the Thomson Township Board of Supervisors on the progress of a new local snowmobile trail at the board meeting Nov. 4.

According to Rokke, all 127 landowners that are potentially affected by the trail have been contacted and encouraged to reach out with any questions. Only six parties responded and the club has been working diligently to make sure that all concerns are addressed.

Some residents brought safety concerns to the board at their previous meeting. Resident Athena Burkholder, for example, was worried about the safety of the snowmobile trail’s crossing on Maki Road on the most recent map.

Rokke, in conjunction with township officials, elected to repair the right of way on the east side of the road, to avoid the Burkholders’ driveway and ensure safety for snowmobilers using the trail.

Township chairperson Terry Hill still expressed concerns about the safety of the trail, as the final map still shows it crossing a county road with a speed limit of 55 mph. Rokke said the sleds are crossing at the intersection of the Harney Road, and are subject to yield or stop just like normal vehicular cross traffic. He also has met with the highway department and they will be putting up snowmobile crossing signs to remind drivers to slow down and watch for snowmobilers.

Hill reminded everyone that the agenda is completed on Tuesdays before meetings and that any individual with new business should contact the township office before then. The Wood City Riders were not on the agenda for the meeting on Nov. 4. Rokke said he came on late notice because of the constantly evolving details of the trail.

In other business, a portion of the earnings from the Greenwood Fire have been received by the township for the fire department. The current earnings, totalling $31,229, are being set aside by the township and department to put toward a future truck purchase.