WILTON – There is a proposal in the works that would give ATV riders here access to the boat landing on Wilson Lake using the rail bed, Village View Road and part of Prospect Street.

At Tuesday’s selectmen’s meeting, Western Maine ATV Club head Mike Lee explained the specifics of the proposal. After leaving the rail bed and heading up Village View Road near Rick’s Market, riders would go to Prospect Street and then down by the former shoe shop.

The club wants a 10 mph speed limit and a one-year trial period, with the access route open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. The club would purchase ATV traffic signs at the town’s discretion.

“I’ve talked to local businesses, and they are in favor of us doing it,” Lee said. He added that he had talked to residents of Prospect Street, and some on Village View, and that most of those asked favored the request.

However, not everyone is. Police Chief Dennis Brown expressed his concern, which involved mixed use on the streets with many children, other pedestrians, and vehicles using them.

“Even though the speed limit’s 10 mph, we have no way of enforcing it,” Brown said, adding that he was pro-business as well. “I’m not saying I’m against it; I’m apprehensive of increasing the traffic on side streets.”

State Rep. Tom Saviello, I-Wilton, suggested a quarterly report on the route’s ATV use. “This is a very good economic opportunity,” he said.

Roxbury ATV Riders President Mike Worthley noted that ATV riders had given an economic boost to Roxbury and Andover businesses, while only creating minor problems with speed and irresponsible riding.

Wilton Selectman Irving Faunce, though, had a different perspective.

“I think it’s a poor idea because of ATVs being on our roads after dark, and mixed use. There are other places for ATVs to ride.”

Western Maine ATV Club President Bob Dalot noted it was unfortunate to see Wilton businesses closing, and said that the request that was put in will be beneficial to merchants.

Prospect Street resident Barbara Leopold said she was concerned about safety issues regarding ATV riders accessing her road. In addition to having foot traffic, Leopold pointed out that the street is also narrow, hilly, and winding.

“It has poor visibility,” she said. “It has very small shoulders. It creates a dangerous situation for vehicles, pedestrians and ATV riders.”

“We’re not talking about using Prospect Street,” explained Lee, adding that riders would not be traveling the length of the street, but rather using part of it to access downtown businesses.

Selectmen voted to hold a public hearing on the proposal in January, and for the town to contact all residents on the streets that would be involved.

Town Manager Peter Nielsen won’t be around for the January public hearing. He is resigning effective Dec. 19. He is accepting the Oakland town manager’s position, and the selectmen went over a possible timeline for hiring a new town manager at Tuesday’s meeting.

The board is hoping to have a new town manager by Jan. 26.

In other business, selectmen approved a spirituous, vinous, and malt license for The Calzolaio Pasta Co., which will be opening at the former Boiler Room Restaurant by Jan. 1 and is owned by Tom and Rocell Marcellino.