By Nancy Huddleston, Editor

Last snowmobile season, there was more snow at the beginning and end of winter than in the middle months and fewer snowmobile complaints filed with the police department.

That information was part of an update report to the Savage City Council on Monday night (Aug. 11) during a work session. Ever since the city’s snowmobile ordinance was updated in 2005, an annual report is given each summer.

Officer Gene Miller reported there were 27 complaints this season, as compared to 45 the year before. The majority of the complaints were snowmobiles driving on private property, property damage, speeding, snowmobiles in parks and snowmobiles driving on ponds and sidewalks.

The Savage Sno-Pacers snowmobile club maintains the existing trail system by installing signs and overseeing the ongoing grooming of trails. The club also actively investigates complaints, according to club President Tom “Digger” Anderson.

He relayed to the City Council a complaint from a resident of The Pointe of snowmobilers driving through his yard. Anderson said he followed the trails to a nearby home, talked to the parents and found out their children were the culprits. “After I talked with the parents, the problem stopped,” he said.

Anderson said the club also keeps track of trail locations, making adjustments as needed.

City Administrator Barry Stock said the club does a good job and the members are easy to work with when problems arise.

“We cannot promise this will go on forever, and if becomes big problem, then we may have to look at that, “said Stock

The Savage City Council designates snowmobile trails annually and is expected to do so again in the fall.

 Nancy Huddleston can be reached at editor@savagepacer.com.