Petition aimed at ‘mud boggers’

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By Joshua Bassett

More than 30 people turned out to discuss the controversial Mettowee Off Road Extreme Park at the Granville Town Board meeting last Thursday.

A petition delivered by Jennifer Powell claimed that because of the park, “the surrounding homeowners’ quality of life has been negatively impacted.”

The petition, with more than 50 signatures, presented five requests, the first calling for the “Mud Boggers” to cease and desist immediately.

If not, the petitioners argued, put up an adequate sound barrier; limit hours of operation to business hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; cease and desist the sound of the exhausts on the property; and establish agreed-upon regulations and monitor the consumption of alcohol at the park and follow the town’s public nuisance local law.

“If it’s going to be there, it needs to be there correctly,” said Powell, adding that she is not against anyone having a good time.

The petition cites two local laws, specifically Section 2.3A, in regard to what Powell feels is excessive noise. Section 2.3A is defined as “all loud or unusual noises and annoying vibrations which offend the peace and quiet of reasonable persons of ordinary sensibilities.”

Clare Jameson, wife of park owner Ralph Jameson, said the park has established hours except during the “Spring Fling” event, even though there was a 9 p.m. quiet hour for the event.

Residents also spoke out about the people violating the weight limit for the Lower Turnpike Bridge, which is near the park.

“It’s not a town board issue,” said Matt Hicks, town supervisor, of the bridge weight limit. He said he will ask county officials to address any violations at the bridge, which has a three-ton limit.

Board member Matt Rathbun said Ralph Jameson wanted to let people visiting the park know to not use the Lower Turnpike Bridge, and the board said it would also try to get the message out.

“If people don’t know it, we’ll make sure they do,” Hicks said.

Jameson reiterated that the park is closed outside of a few already agreed-upon events this summer with local Jeep clubs, and that he plans to make changes to the park and work with the town board.

He again mentioned that the changes will include installation of gates at all the entrances to monitor who comes in and out and to stop people from sneaking in, a better wash station to reduce mud getting on the road from vehicles leaving the park, and a place where the vehicles are gated in and locked up once the park closes for the day so that no one can use their vehicle unless they are leaving or have an emergency.

Jameson also said the park intends to follow all of the town’s rules and regulations for camping by building showers and bathrooms, along with filling out the application for the town’s public camping applications.

Jameson said he plans to work on it, but “it takes time and a lot of money.”

“I think you’re asking what you need to do. They are the people who are complaining,” said board member Tom Cosey. He said Jameson should ask the neighbors if something is a problem or not.

People also spoke out against holding Jameson and the park accountable on accusations of underage drinking at the park.

Hicks was also asked why the board is going after the park for leaving mud on the road when farm tractors and other vehicles leave mud on the road as well.

“I’ve had one complaint in my five years about mud on the road,” said Hicks, who said the mud was left on the road in Middle Granville from a tractor and he called the farmer to come clean it up, which he did.

Once the public participation portion of the meeting ended, Jameson said “I hope we can get this thing worked out.”

Hicks said the board is going to take the petition under advisement and talk about it and work with Jameson.

“If we can get things worked out then maybe we can meet on a middle ground we’re both happy with,” he said.