CHAMPION — The Champion Township Trustees said they will check with legal counsel on whether the township would be face liability if someone on a golf cart is injured if the township were to allow them on the roads.

Golf carts are not permitted on township roads, per a 2025 vote by trustees.

Residents said they have seen children younger than 10 driving golf carts on roads.

Resident Michael Schwab said they should be allowed for those age 16 and older on roads posted at 35 miles per hour or less.

Police Chief Larry Skaggs said there is concern someone driving a golf cart will get hit on any road.

He said golf carts can’t be regulated for use on certain roads based on the speed limits.

Trustee Chairman Doug Emerine, who said he has a golf cart, said anyone driving one should have a license — and not be an “8-year-old.”

He said those in the residential allotment areas are not as bad as main routes such as Mahoning Avenue.

Resident Debbie Christ said she saw four or five children on a golf cart on the road and not stop at a stop sign.

“They went through the stop sign with four or five kids hanging on the golf cart. The parents need to be watching what the kids are doing,” she said.

Emerine said parents need to make sure children are not on golf carts on the roads.

He said he is also concerned about children on electric scooters and e-bikes on the road.

Resident Rex Fee, a former trustee, said if someone in a

golf cart is hit by a car or truck the golf cart likely will be destroyed and those on it will be hurt and perhaps even killed.

“If they are allowed on the roads and someone gets hit and hurt, people will take the township to court,” Fee said.

“Ninety percent of the time the golf carts on the roads are being driven by kids. Do not allow golf carts on the roads.”

Fee said the township

would be held liable if someone is hurt.

Skaggs said the majority of residents who have attended trustees meetings do not want golf carts on the roads.

Christ said children under 16 do not know all the rules of the road that drivers need to know.

Trustee Rick York said trustees will check with legal counsel on the township’s liability.

In other business, trustees declared several properties as public nuisances due to high grass and weeds, refuse, garbage and debris.

The properties are 6039 Downs Road, 272 Eldon Drive, 5084 Alva Ave., 4716 Damon Ave. and 1340 State Road.

Officials said the property owners have a week to address the nuisance or the township will cut the grass and assess costs to the property owner.

As for residents concerned of the township having different trash collection service, Emerine said the township

has no control over trash collection.

He said there are four or five different trash collectors each week with trash at the curbside waiting for collection all the time.

Officials said they would like to see only one collection service.

In other business, trustees:

• Approved first reading to place a 1-mill renewal tax levy for five years for the police department on the November general election ballot.

• Approved purchase of heat monitoring systems from Hudson Communication at $2,574. Opioid funds have been approved for the use by township legal counsel.

• Announced plans to get an electronic message sign for the township hall.

• Announced the monthly food truck night will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the township administration property, There will be cornhole,music and food.

• Approved renewal with Champion Community Calendar for $810 for maintenance of the township website, with the cost remaining the same since 2023