The Germantown Village Board on Nov. 17 adopted an ordinance to permit all‑terrain and utility‑terrain vehicles on village roads, with an important safety amendment requiring routes to conform to posted speed limits.

The ordinance, drafted with legal input and police recommendations, would make local streets ATV/UTV routes except for county and state highways where posted speed (rather than a fixed 35‑mph cutoff) would bar those vehicles where unsafe. Village counsel said a posted‑limit approach better accommodates the village’s varied road network; the police chief supported the change, noting concerns about significantly higher posted speeds on some village roads.

Supporters: Webex speaker Kyle Johnson and other residents argued for alignment with neighboring jurisdictions, resident demand, and enforceable safety rules. Johnson said such ordinances can be implemented "with clear rules, signage, and enforcement" and noted registration and insurance conditions under state law.

Opposition and caution: Trustee Baum voiced opposition to blanket villagewide acceptance, saying the northern, more rural areas differ from denser, first‑ring neighborhoods where UTVs raise concerns. He said he could support more limited routes but not an ordinance applying to the entire village.

Outcome: After amending the speed‑limit language to reference posted limits and a brief trustee debate, the board approved the ordinance as amended.

Next steps: Staff will implement ordinance language changes and, where needed, coordinate signage and enforcement guidance with the police department. Specific route maps or restricted segments were not finalized at the meeting.