PARIS — After the controversy around the Board of Selectmen granting ATVs access to Parsons Road last year then withdrawing access in January, selectmen agreed they need a system to address similar situations on the future.

On Monday, the board approved a new procedure for residents intending to use public roads or property for non-standard uses, such as riding ATVs on public roads.

The Policy and Procedure Committee created the “Application for Non-standard Use of Public Roads and Property,” which creates a uniform way for the town to process requests.

Selectmen praised the application, and approved it for town use even though the agenda only called for discussion on the policy.

John Richardson, chairman of the Policy and Procedure Committee, said the new form could be used in a variety of situations, from a block party on a town street to a fair in Moore Park.

The application calls for an investigation by the select board on whether the police and fire departments approve and whether stakeholders in the decision have been notified. It calls for a public hearing in the decision and asks the board to explain why the request was approved or denied.

“I think this is an excellent procedure,” Selectman Ted Kurtz told Richardson.

“I also thank you for putting right here in black and white this reminder that we have to articulate the grounds for our decisions,” Kurtz said.

Selectman Jean Smart agreed. “I don’t know how we could do it in a more fair or just way,” she said.

Selectmen voted unanimously to adopt the new procedure.

treaves@sunjournal.com

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