By Diana McFarland

Managing editor

DENDRON — The Town of Dendron wants to add golf carts as an amenity for living in town and the proposal is going to the General Assembly for consideration. 

Del. Roslyn Tyler submitted HB 1678 to get Dendron added to the list of localities allowed to use golf carts as transportation but lacking a town police force. 

Claremont is one of the towns in Virginia where golf carts are allowed despite the lack of a police force. {mprestriction ids=”1,2,3,4,5,6″}

Dendron Mayor Wallace Faison said several residents were interested in having golf carts allowed in town and he decided to follow up on the request. 

Allowing golf carts would be an added bonus for those living in town in terms of saving money, the environment and increasing connectivity, he said. 

Faison said that with the upgraded water and sewer and the possibility of Prince George Electric Cooperative laying fiber for broadband in Surry County, there is no reason why anyone wouldn’t want to come to Dendron. 

The town currently has a population of about 300 residents. 

Faison said that if the bill passes, he plans to work with the Town Council in coming up with some ordinances concerning crossing Route 31. Golf carts are allowed on streets where the speed limit is 25 mph or less, he said.

Another possibility is requiring turn signals and brake lights to increase safety, said Faison. 

Other towns, in addition to Claremont, where golf carts are allowed without a police force are Clifton, Irvington, Jarratt, Saxis, Urbanna and Wachapreague. 

Golf carts were approved for the Town of Smithfield in 2011. Recently, the Smithfield Town Council discussed lowering the speed limit on the Cypress Creek Bridge earlier this year to allow access from the eastern side of town to the Historic District.  {/mprestriction}