JEFFERSON - An effort to create an ATV trail connecting Brodhead to Monroe faces a spring referendum and will likely require more convincing after years of discussion.
Green County ATV Club President Dusty Kubly has been trying to put a trail in place for more than a decade. The path would run from Brodhead along Wisconsin 11 to County OK, where operators would head south until meeting Town Center Road near Spring Grove, then drive west through Jefferson Township and into Clarno before ending at the trailhead in Monroe.
The sticking point has been receiving agreement from the townships involved to allow ATVs along roadways. While people like Brodhead Mayor Doug Pinnow have embraced the idea, stating his support in the past and actively working with Kubly to establish the trail to boost tourism, others have been hesitant.
In July 2016, the board heard comments in favor of the trail from roughly 18 attendees during a meeting, but when Decatur Town Chairman Allen Schneider invited a motion from the board, none of the members stepped forward.
"Decatur was a battle," said Kubly, who now serves on the town board. "They didn't say no, but wouldn't act on it."
Now with Spring Grove and Decatur both in agreement, Jefferson Township has been the final hurdle for the club. Kubly said the main problem has been Jefferson Town Chairman Harvey Mandel, who he felt seemed personally against the request.
"He's come up with different excuses and every time I give answers, he doesn't have any responses," Kubly said.
Kubly noted from his perspective, questions of liability and unsafe roads are both unfounded. State law exempts the township from being held liable, and the roadway is "the straightest road in the county."
Mandel did not return
multiple calls requesting comment about the trail.
In a meeting Nov. 8 at the Juda Community Center, the town board heard from people about the inclusion of a trail along Town Center Road, both in favor and some with questions and concerns that were addressed.
During the proceeding, the board did not vote to allow the trail. However, the group agreed to allow the measure on to the spring ballot in April. Town Clerk and Treasurer Amy McCullough affirmed that the unofficial minutes reflected that plan, and that wording for the ballot item was being considered with town attorney Dan Bartholf.
"The board just wants to know how people in our township feel about having an ATV trail," McCullough said.
The current referendum being discussed would only be an advisory question, which provides feedback on a particular subject rather than making the measure law. Even if it were approved by a majority of voters, it would still require action from the town board.
"All we're asking them to do is listen and make a decision that's right for the people," Kubly said. "Worst case scenario, a year later they come back and say it didn't work out."
Jefferson Town Board members Rick Nusbaum and Lyle Samson could also not be reached for comment on the issue.
Green County ATV Club President Dusty Kubly has been trying to put a trail in place for more than a decade. The path would run from Brodhead along Wisconsin 11 to County OK, where operators would head south until meeting Town Center Road near Spring Grove, then drive west through Jefferson Township and into Clarno before ending at the trailhead in Monroe.
The sticking point has been receiving agreement from the townships involved to allow ATVs along roadways. While people like Brodhead Mayor Doug Pinnow have embraced the idea, stating his support in the past and actively working with Kubly to establish the trail to boost tourism, others have been hesitant.
In July 2016, the board heard comments in favor of the trail from roughly 18 attendees during a meeting, but when Decatur Town Chairman Allen Schneider invited a motion from the board, none of the members stepped forward.
"Decatur was a battle," said Kubly, who now serves on the town board. "They didn't say no, but wouldn't act on it."
Now with Spring Grove and Decatur both in agreement, Jefferson Township has been the final hurdle for the club. Kubly said the main problem has been Jefferson Town Chairman Harvey Mandel, who he felt seemed personally against the request.
"He's come up with different excuses and every time I give answers, he doesn't have any responses," Kubly said.
Kubly noted from his perspective, questions of liability and unsafe roads are both unfounded. State law exempts the township from being held liable, and the roadway is "the straightest road in the county."
Mandel did not return
multiple calls requesting comment about the trail.
In a meeting Nov. 8 at the Juda Community Center, the town board heard from people about the inclusion of a trail along Town Center Road, both in favor and some with questions and concerns that were addressed.
During the proceeding, the board did not vote to allow the trail. However, the group agreed to allow the measure on to the spring ballot in April. Town Clerk and Treasurer Amy McCullough affirmed that the unofficial minutes reflected that plan, and that wording for the ballot item was being considered with town attorney Dan Bartholf.
"The board just wants to know how people in our township feel about having an ATV trail," McCullough said.
The current referendum being discussed would only be an advisory question, which provides feedback on a particular subject rather than making the measure law. Even if it were approved by a majority of voters, it would still require action from the town board.
"All we're asking them to do is listen and make a decision that's right for the people," Kubly said. "Worst case scenario, a year later they come back and say it didn't work out."
Jefferson Town Board members Rick Nusbaum and Lyle Samson could also not be reached for comment on the issue.