Monroe council adopts open-burning ban, truck engine-brake limits and small annexation

The Monroe Town Council voted on June 4 to adopt three ordinances: an open-burning prohibition (Ordinance 20-26-3), local traffic regulations restricting through-truck traffic and engine brake use (Ordinance 20-26-4), and a narrow annexation of right-of-way along South Van Buren Street (Ordinance 20-26-5).

The measures were introduced in public hearings earlier in the meeting. Committee member (S2) introduced the open-burning ordinance, saying it would prohibit open burning of trash and solid waste within the town limits. After inviting comment and receiving none, S2 moved to adopt the ordinance; Chair (S1) called the voice vote and the motion passed.

For the traffic ordinance, S2 described the measure as establishing local traffic rules to limit through trucks and to restrict engine braking on West 50 South (South Adams Street) and portions of Van Buren within the corporate limits. Resident (S6) moved to adopt Ordinance 20-26-4 and Chair (S1) seconded; the council approved the measure by voice vote.

Ordinance 20-26-5 would annex a defined section of South Van Buren Street and its permanent right-of-way into town so the roadway can be added to Monroe’s official road inventory. S2 told the council the county commissioners had consented to the annexation at a recent meeting. S2 moved to adopt the annexation ordinance; S1 seconded and the council approved it by voice vote.

The council did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript; all three measures passed by affirmative voice votes during the meeting. The town attorney (S4) and council members indicated the annexation and traffic ordinance were steps intended to clarify maintenance responsibility and to address safety and operations on streets where the town is taking on maintenance.

The council said enforcement of traffic signs and restrictions remains dependent on local law-enforcement response for violations and on the town’s maintenance of signage. The adopted ordinances take effect according to the town’s standard ordinance-adoption rules; the council did not specify immediate implementation deadlines during the meeting.

The next procedural step noted in the session was to make the ordinances part of the town’s records and to continue operational work (surveying and signage) tied to the annexation and traffic measures.