Sheriff Maciol holds annual snowmobile safety conference

VILLAGE OF BOONVILLE — With several inches of snow finally hitting Oneida County, Sheriff Robert M. Maciol held his annual snowmobile safety conference in Boonville on Tuesday.

There are 650 miles of groomed snowmobile trails crisscrossing Oneida County, and they are patrolled by the four sleds of the Sheriff’s Snowmobile Patrol Unit. The Rome Police Department has two snowmobiles in their own unit, covering 20 to 25 miles of trails in the City of Rome.

This year, Maciol warned snowmobilers against drinking while operating, speeding, registration violations and exhaust modifications.

Maciol said intentionally loud exhausts have been a concern with snowmobilers for years.

Maciol also stressed to all riders to be respectful of the land they were riding across. Nearly all of the groomed trails in Oneida County are on private land, with property owners graciously allowing riders to go through. Maciol told snowmobilers to slow down near residential areas and to not litter.

According to state law, children ages 14 to 17 are allowed to snowmobile without adult supervision if they have completed a recognized safety course. Youth who have not passed the course will need to be accompanied by someone at least 18-years-old.

Children ages 10 to 13 may operate a snowmobile with adult supervision and if they have completed a safety course.

Children under the age of 10, or under the age of 14 who have not passed a safety course, may only operate a snowmobile on land owned or leased by their parent or guardian.

The sheriff’s safety seminar was hosted this year by the Lost Trails Snowmobile Club on Ford Street in Boonville. Maciol was joined by New York State Forest Rangers, the Boonville Police Department, the Webb Police Department and Jim Rolf of the New York State Snowmobilers Association.

More information on snowmobile safety and state laws — along with details on upcoming safety courses — can be found at the website www.parks. ny.gov.