DIXFIELD — Dan Mitchell, president of the local all-terrain vehicle club, police Chief Richard Pickett and selectmen have agreed on an all-terrain vehicle ordinance that goes to voters at the annual town meeting in May.
Town Manager Eugene Skibitsky said use of ATVs on trails and town roads is governed by regulations under a selectmen’s policy. The ordinance puts more “teeth in them,” he said.
Under the current policy, only four-wheeled ATVs are allowed to use access roads to services and the trail system. Under the ordinance, dirt bikes would also be able to use the access roads and trail system.
“We have a lot of responsible riders on two-wheeled bikes,” Mitchell said. “We want access for them. If we can’t control any problems, we’ll revisit the ordinance.”
The biggest issues are noise and speed, he said.
Steve Donahue, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, said having an ordinance should have a positive economic impact on town businesses.
In other matters, the annual Outdoor Market held in August will likely go on as usual this year, Selectman Norine Clarke said. She and her husband, Ralph, have organized and coordinated the event for many years. She said she is meeting with some people this week to take over the leadership.
A special meeting of the board is scheduled for 5 p.m. April 30 at Ludden Memorial Library to finalize the municipal budget for fiscal year 2012-13.
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