KINGFIELD — Members of an ATV club are seeking permission from residents to use private land to complete a proposed Moose Loop trail.

The Kingfield Quad Runners ATV Club will make its case at a public hearing at 6 p.m. Monday.

Currently, seven ATV clubs in Franklin County have joined forces to map a proposed Moose Loop, similar to the snowmobilers’ Black Fly Loop, which links trails throughout Franklin County.

Kingfield is the only town that is not part of the final plan, because currently, the trails on either side of town are not connected. Access from Route 27 near the Poland Spring bottling plant to the trail on Route 142 is across private land.

“We do have access behind New England Wire Products, but we’d have to come through town to get to it,” club spokesman David Trenholm said. “We’re just looking for a chance to show we are a responsible club which could bring business to the area.”

Rangeley approved a similar proposal last year, and businesses are adding parking spaces for ATVs, because so many people have decided to spend time and money in the town.

“We hardly know they’re there,” police Chief Dennis Leahy said. “They don’t park on the street, and no one’s being irresponsible or taking advantage of the privilege.”

Town Manager Perry Ellsworth said the proposal drew some protests, with townspeople arguing that ATVs should not be allowed to come within the village center.

“The (Maine) Department of Transportation gives the approval, but it’s a big help when they know a town is behind it,” he said. “The local ATV club does a good job of policing itself and not putting up with anyone being where they’re not supposed to.”

At the last selectmen’s meeting, Trenholm, restaurant owner John Goldfrank, and hotel owner Rob Gregor asked selectmen to consider the benefits of allowing riders to come into town.

“It’s hard to watch all the vehicles with ATV trailers go through our town on their way to somewhere else and not staying here,” Trenholm said.

With town permission, ATVs could travel along the former Gilmore and Newell properties along Route 27, and MDOT would approve highway access to get to New England Wire Products on the other side of the town.

“Other towns have approved the plan,” Goldfrank said. “Kingfield is the only town that has not agreed to it yet.”

The ATV club would be happy with a one-year trial period and would establish a curfew and signage, Trenholm suggested. ATVs would follow the same rules as motorcycles.

Resident and former Planning Board Chairman David Guernsey suggested the public hearing provide a forum for input from many perspectives.

“The only question I want to ask the selectmen is what is the process here?” Guernsey asked. “This is not a minor thing. If the majority of the town is for this, and the details are worked out, I’m fine with that, but to just make a decision without a hearing just seems to be asking for trouble.”