PARIS — The Board of Selectmen on Monday declined to overturn its decision granting ATV access to sections of public roads, but agreed to bump up the date to revisit the issue.

At a June meeting, the board voted to allow ATVs to operate on stretches of Parsons Road, Elm Hill Road and Brett Hill Road in order to connect trails maintained by the X-Tra Mile ATV Club with trail systems in neighboring towns.

Under state law, ATVs may use public roads if they are designated ATV-accessible routes by municipal officials, drive at 10 miles per hour or less, and keep to the extreme right of the road. Officials must determine that the ATVs will be able to safely use the road and will not interfere with traffic.

On Aug. 23, James and Paula Hakala and other Parsons Road residents complained that the ATVs increased noise and posed safety risks in the area. Others said ATV users in the area are courteous and that the vehicles do not produce excessive noise.

The board voted 4-1 to table the issue for three months and return to it at their Dec. 13 meeting.

The Hakalas returned to the meeting on Monday to request that the decision to grant ATV access on Parsons Road be suspended until further review, with the board addressing the issue at their Oct. 25 meeting. James raised 12 questions, including the age an ATV operator must be to operate on a road and how ATVs are regulated.

“These questions should have been answered before voting on the public road issue,” he said.

Jeff Parsons presented the board with photos of damage done to a wetland on his property. Cynthia Curtis said the club has worked to address a noise issue at the intersection of Parsons Road and Town Farm Road, but that the problem remains on the other side of her property.

Mark Stearns, treasurer of the X-Tra Mile ATV Club, said forbidding the vehicles could lead to requests to ban motorcycles, concerts, and other potential noise sources. He said the club seeks permission before using any private or public lands.

“We notified all abutters in person or by leaving a note with them,” he said.

Robert Ripley said he opened land he owns in the area to allow a trail to be rerouted to resolve some of the noise issues. He said that while it was unfortunate that Parsons’ property was damaged, he did not feel the incident should tar all ATV riders.

“Please don’t blanket everybody, because you’re going to have a few bad apples,” he said.

Selectwoman Jean Smart said she was concerned that landowners in the area may not have known about the ATV club’s request to use the road. She suggested that the board honor the Hakalas’ request and give notification of the decision to landowners.

Selectman Ted Kurtz said he thought noise was the key issue in the dispute, and that noise complaints are a police rather than a municipal matter under state statute.

Selectman Lloyd “Skip” Herrick worried that granting the request could be seen as special treatment of some residents over others and lead to requests to ban other activities.

“I am very cautious about starting to restrict anyone’s rights,” Herrick said.

The board agreed to notify landowners on the affected road as well as ATV club members about a meeting to discuss the matter. No date has been set, but it may occur early next week. The board unanimously voted to bring up the issue again at their Oct. 25 meeting.

Selectmen also discussed the possibility of a process for groups requesting the use of public roads or property as well as an informational sign outside the town office. Smart suggested a three-step process for groups to fill out a form detailing their request, with the town notifying any stakeholders by mail and making a decision after hearing public comments on the issue. Herrick said the town should also determine if the request is legitimate before spending money on mailed notifications.

Smart said an informational sign could be a way of keeping the public informed about public meetings. Kurtz questioned whether such a sign, either stationary or electronic, could include enough pertinent information on the items to be discussed at meetings. Selectman Ken West asked if an electronic sign would pose a safety risk and if there was space available to install a sign in front of the office.

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