Riders of all-terrain vehicles and other off-road vehicles in Schuylkill Township beware - the police are watching for you.

Monday night, the township supervisors reversed their policy of not trying to enforce laws against ATV riders because they are threatening township residents who are walking, said Supervisor Gary Feathers.

“These kids are driving these ATVs and motorcycles with no guidance from the parents,” Feathers said. “They are going wild. They are doing wheelies and doughnuts in the middle of the highway. The policy that police will not pursue them must change. It’s a select few that are being blatant, We have elderly people walking the roads. The lives of the people of the township are more important than kids riding ATVs. Something has got to be done.”

Township Police Chief Frank DiMarco was hesitant to change the policy, because he feels it opens up the township to liability if an ATV rider is injured while police are pursuing them.

“I know it all too well, because they fly by my house, and my wife walks Mountain Road,” DiMarco said. “But it’s a big liability issue. You can get lucky and catch one. But (pursuit) is too dangerous. It puts the kid at risk.”

DiMarco said a safe way to crack down on ATV rider is to identify them, and then go to their home and cite them, rather than chasing them.

They can be cited for driving recklessly, and if their vehicle is not properly registered with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, they can be cited for that, too.

Joseph Batranko, the township solicitor, suggested the township contact its insurance carrier to see what liability the township has.

Other matters

The supervisors approved an excess maintenance agreement attached to the new ordinance setting a 13-ton weight limit on Sanderson Street approved last month.

Baranko said anyone who applies for a permit to exceed the weight limit must agree to the maintenance agreement, which includes obligations to maintain, repair and clean up the road.

The supervisors also voted to change the language in the proposed parking ordinance for Valley Street. Baranko said he will change the language, and advertise it for approval at a special meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 19.

There will be no parking on the north side of the street in the 300 block, between Emerick and Union streets. Parking will shift along the 200 block, between Union and Mine streets, and there will be no parking in the 100 block, between Franklin Street and the Blythe Township line.

Bids for line painting to outline where parking is legal will also be advertised for the April 19 meeting, as will the awarding of contracts to pave township streets. The supervisors received quotes from two contractors, and will decide on them at the special meeting.