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ATV Access Question Faces Town Board in Wilton

January 21, 2009 - WILTON -- An all-terrain vehicle enthusiast hopes to get permission from the town for riders to use a short stretch of town roads so they can drive downtown to shop, eat and picnic by Wilson Lake.

The request will be discussed during a selectmen's meeting tonight that starts at 7 p.m. at the Wilton Town Office. The town sent letters out to about 30 residents living on Prospect Street and Village View Road explaining the request and notifying them of the meeting.

Last month, Mike Lee of Wilton, representing the Western Maine ATV Club, presented the idea at a meeting attended by about a dozen supporters and opponents. Selectmen put off a decision, saying they wanted broader attendance to assure everyone affected had a chance to comment.

The mile-and-a-quarter route would start at the Whistle Stop recreational trail by Rick's Market on Depot Street. The trail starts in Jay and ends in Farmington.

It would head up Village View Road to Prospect Street, cross Main Street to Canal Street and end up at the Wilson Lake boat landing.

On Friday, Lee said he had been going door-to-door to explain the issue and ask people to sign a petition. He said 57 residents and businesses supported the idea and six were opposed.

"I am overwhelmed with the amount of support," he said.

He proposes a 10 mph speed limit for ATVs; a month-to-month trial period with regular reports to selectmen; and helmets required for riders under 16. Machines with loud, modified exhaust systems would not be allowed.

The route would be open during daylight hours from May 15 to Oct. 1. He said the club would be responsible for compliance and responding to complaints, and would purchase and put up signs.

State laws allow ATV use on public ways if approved by the local government. Some of the towns that allow ATV use on roads are Norridgewock, Mercer, Phillips, Temple, Strong, Topsham, Dixfield, Turner and Greene, Lee said.

Several parents spoke against the idea last month because of safety concerns, and Police Chief Dennis Brown said his department did not have the manpower to address any ATV compliance problems.

Parent Barbara Leopold said many children live in the residential neighborhood and might walk or ride their bikes to town. She said there is a lot of foot traffic by people of all ages. There are no sidewalks.

"It is narrow and hilly and winding and there is poor visibility. It creates a dangerous situation for vehicles, pedestrians and ATV riders," she said.

Lee hopes selectmen give the proposal a chance; he thinks it will be a boon to shops and restaurants by bringing people into town.

"I plan on posting the area hard with signs and we will do whatever is in our power to make this work. We don't want to disturb the neighborhood and we will follow all the rules," he said.

BY BETTY JESPERSEN
Staff Writer, Kennebec Journal, 01/20/2009


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