Every operator of a vehicle approaching an intersection at which an Official Traffic Control Device is erected in accordance with this chapter shall obey the direction of such official traffic control device as required by the Wisconsin Statutes incorporated by reference in § 535-1 of this chapter. Operators of vehicles approaching a stop sign shall stop before entering a highway as required by § 346.46, Wis. Stats. Operators approaching intersections at which a yield sign has been installed shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles as required by § 346.18(6), Wis. Stats.
A.
Regulation of the weight of vehicles on roads.
(1)
Statement of purpose. In the interest of public safety on Town roads,
the roads and streets, or portions thereof, of the Town of Koshkonong
are hereby declared to have special weight limitations as set forth
herein, because, in the absence of such special limitations, there
is a likelihood that they would be seriously damaged or destroyed.
Such limitations are adopted pursuant to § 349.16, Wis.
Stats., which is hereby adopted by reference and made a part of this
section.
(2)
Weight limitation. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate
a vehicle in excess of 12 tons on Town roads, streets or portions
thereof, except when necessary for the purpose of delivering and moving
supplies or other necessary commodities to or from any farm, place
of business or residence fronting on any such roads, and except when
necessary for the purpose of leaving or returning to a terminal or
place of garaging a vehicle; however, such operator shall leave such
road and re-enter roads not prohibited by such weight limitation at
the point closest to its immediate destination and shall take the
most direct route to his/her destination. Town vehicles engaged in
official duties shall be exempt from the general weight restrictions
of this section.
(3)
Notice; signs. Appropriate weight limitation signs shall be erected
on Town roads and/or streets. At all times a map showing the location
of the signs shall be on file with the Town Clerk.
(4)
Seasonal weight limitations. In addition to the permanent weight restrictions on Town roads, the Town Board or designee may impose special seasonal weight limitations on any Town road or portion thereof which, because of weakness of the roadbed due to deterioration or climatic conditions or other special or temporary condition, would likely be seriously damaged or destroyed in the absence of such special limitations. When such seasonal weight limitations are in effect, the pickup and delivery exceptions to Subsection A(2) above shall not be applicable, except by permission from the Town Board.
[Amended 3-13-2019 by Ord. No. 1]
(5)
Penalty for violation. The penalty for violation of any provision
of this section shall be a forfeiture as hereinafter provided, together
with the costs of prosecution imposed and provided in §§ 345.20
to 345.53, Wis. Stats. The forfeiture for a first violation of any
provision of this chapter shall not be less than $50. The forfeiture
for second or subsequent offenses shall not be less than $100.
(6)
Enforcement. This section shall be enforced in accordance with the
provisions of §§ 345.20 to 345.53, Chapter 800, and
§ 66.0114, Wis. Stats.
B.
Exempt roads and highways. The following roads and highways maintained by the Town of Koshkonong, Jefferson County, Wisconsin, are exempt from the provisions of Subsection A above:
C.
Miscellaneous provisions.
(1)
The owner of a vehicle who causes or permits such vehicle to be operated
on a highway within the Town in violation of this section is guilty
of the violations the same as if he/she actually operated the vehicle
himself.
(2)
Limitations on size, weight or load imposed by this section do not
apply to road machinery actually engaged in construction, repair,
or maintenance of a highway within the limits of the project.
(3)
The limitations on weight, length and number of vehicles and combination
imposed by this section shall not apply to a combination of vehicles
in an emergency towing operation in which the towing vehicle is being
used to remove a stalled or disabled vehicle or combination of vehicles
from the highway to the nearest adequate place for repairs, or in
which the towing vehicle is an emergency truck tractor temporarily
substituted for a stalled or disabled truck tractor, provided that
the limitation and the number of vehicles in combination imposed by
this section may be exceeded only if the vehicles comprising the towed
combination of vehicles cannot reasonably be separated as to be transported
singly. The vehicle's owner or the owner's agent shall designate the
nearest adequate place for repairs for vehicles or combination of
vehicles exceeding the length limits or limits on the number of vehicles
and combination.
D.
Exceptions.
(1)
No person shall operate, whether operating under a permit or otherwise,
a vehicle in violation of any special weight limitations imposed by
the Town Board on particular highways, highway structures, or portions
of highways, if signs have been erected as required by § 349.16(2),
Wis. Stats., as amended, except when the vehicle is being operated
under a permit expressly authorizing such weight limitations to be
exceeded. The annual fee for such permits shall be as provided in
the Town Fee Schedule.[2]
[Amended 3-13-2019 by Ord. No. 1]
[2]
Editor's Note: The Fee Schedule is on file in the Town office.
(2)
Whenever the operator of a vehicle is ordered by the officer or Town
official or by a traffic officer to suspend operation of such vehicle
because of the damage such vehicle is causing or is likely to cause
to the highway or the public investment herein, he shall forthwith
comply with said order.
(3)
Certain vehicles may operate in excess of the gross limitations above
specified if said operation is in full compliance with §§ 348.175
and 348.18, Wis. Stats. (which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.)
E.
Weight indication. No person shall operate upon any Town road any
motor truck, truck tractor, road tractor or motor bus, or a trailer
or semitrailer used in connection therewith, unless there is attached
to or lettered upon the left side thereof a sign giving its empty
weight. A sign in conformity with any regulation or alternate rule
which has been designated by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation
would be deemed to be in conformity with this section.
F.
Permits. Applications for permits shall be made through the Town
Clerk and the designated local official, now being the Town Chairperson,
countersign, and all permits may be signed by the Town Chairperson
or his designee and certified by the Town Clerk. Permits shall be
generally subject to the provisions set forth for issuance of such
permits as set forth in § 348.25, Wis. Stats.
A.
All refuse transported through the Town or to a landfill shall be
adequately secured or covered to prevent littering. No loose refuse
shall be conveyed within the Town.
