NEWTON FALLS — Village council voted to allow golf carts and other low-speed utility vehicles on roads — but only those streets with stated speed limits of 35 mph and under.

Those vehicles also will need to be inspected by police, who will record which vehicles have been approved.

Council voted 4-1 on the guidelines Wednesday.

Fourth Ward Councilman Kevin Rufener said residents have complained they encountered such vehicles and others who own and use them.

Police Chief John Barco said individuals with authorized vehicles will receive a sticker and certificate of compliance. Police also will check that such vehicles have been properly registered with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Rufener said there have been golf carts with nothing more than an orange triangle on the back with no lights, which has been a concern.

“This has been an issue for some time and a safety concern,” he said.

The ordinance allows golf carts to be permitted to cross a street intersection that has a speed limit of higher than 35 mph.

Violators of the ordinance on first offense face a minor misdemeanor.

Second Ward Councilman Brian Axiotis, who cast the “no” vote, said he was concerned about golf carts being on such busy roads as state Route 534, which has a 35 mph limit posted.

He said someone could be on the road all the way through the village and then ride to Lake Milton on Route 534.

ELECTRIC SCOOTERS

Resident Dennis Jones said there is a concern of people on electric scooters traveling fast through traffic.

“I had one person, an adult, go around me at an intersection on a scooter going 30 or 40 miles per hour. It’s not just kids, it’s adults,” he said.

Rufener said officials are looking into scooters and related vehicles next.

First Ward Councilwoman Patricia Benetis said she has seen motorized bikes fly along sidewalks with people having to jump out of the way.

“It is ridiculous!” she said.

Barco said with school starting there will be flashing lights in the school zone from 7 to 9 a.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. with a 20 mph speed limit posted.

He said police will be patrolling the school zones and issuing citations for violators and also people passing buses which have lights on when loading and unloading children.

In other business, Rufener said he wants to hold a meet and greet for the public to get input on village improvements and also how council can change the ways the meetings are run.

“We want to get the community involved with the discussions,” he said.

In other action, council:

• Heard from interim village Manager Jamie Vernaccini that the village’s website will be updated and redesigned with the village to be able to make changes and updates.

*Heard from Barco the police department received a reimbursable grant around $5,000 from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office for covering 75% of the costs for new body armor for police officers.

• Named resident Julie Lemon to an opening on the planning / zoning board for a term ending December 2027. Rufener said positions are open on other boards and if not enough members attend the meetings can’t be held due to lack of a quorum.

• Heard from Benetis that she had calls from residents upset about trash collection and trash left in the middle of the road.

• Announced Autumn in the Falls will be Sept. 20 on Broad Street.