WAUSAU, Wis. (WXCO) – The vote forces Winchester, Manitowish Waters and Boulder Junction to open up roads year-round for ATVs and UTVs.

The Vilas County Board voted Tuesday 10 to 9 to open county highways up to ATVs and UTVs, year round.

Vilas County Highway Commissioner said the changes will take effect once signage is installed on all county trunk highways. The ordinance does not include Lac Du Flambeau.

Here’s the ordinance and list of highways openings.

The Vilas County boardroom was filled with those for and against the ordinance. Nearly two hours were spent on public comment and discussion. Chairmen for three Vilas County townships including Manitowish Waters, Winchester, and Boulder Junction spoke against the ordinance change based on opposition from a majority of their constituents.

“We still have to work with the county, and work through everything. It’s unfortunate that we didn’t work through it on this particular case, based on all the three townships that wanted the county to say no. But we’ll have to work through it, we’ve worked through it before, we’ll work through it again.” said Boulder Junction Town Chair Dennis Ruess.

Vilas County ATV/UTV Alliance secretary Lisa Penner said, “I’m thrilled, but I know there is going to be some work that’s going to need to be done with the towns that are being impacted by this. I’m hoping that, the big word here was compromise, and I’m really hoping we can make that compromise work with them.”

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