LISBON — Councilors approved the first reading of recommendations that would expand ATV access on more town roads at their meeting Tuesday.
Town departments worked with ATV clubs to develop the recommendations. Lisbon resident Roger Bickford made the initial request.
The recommendations include expanding the Route 196 ATV access route from the Route 196 and Route 9 intersection east down Route 196, then right onto Blethen Street and then left onto Davis Street to the Davis Street parking lot, according to Police Chief Ryan McGee. It allows ATV clubs to access the parking lot and walk up to restaurants in Lisbon Falls.
Existing ATV access routes would be expanded on Wing Street, Summer Street, Pinewoods Road and Ferry Road. Other streets in the recommendations for ATV access routes include Main Street from the intersection of Summer Street to Gould Road/Main Street intersection, Hudon Road, Blethen Street, along with others. In total, the recommendations would expand ATV access on town roads by more than 2 1/2 miles.
Originally, Bickford requested that ATV access be opened up along Main Street but after meetings with all parties involved it was not recommended, McGee said. ATV clubs in town must maintain and pay for the required reflective signs at certain intervals along the town roads to clearly delineate access routes.
State law allows ATVers to use up to 500 years of road as access between trails, according to McGee. Anything beyond that has to be approved by the town’s governing body. The Police Department gets very few complaints on the ATV access routes and the ATV clubs tend to police themselves well, McGee said.
Councilor Fern Larochelle said he is curious to see if it will bring more visitors to the downtown area.
Councilor Raymond Robishaw said he is glad to see the access roads expanded, adding he has seen several other towns do the same and he thinks it is positive for everyone.
Chairman Harry Moore Jr. said he wants to talk to people along Blethen Street and Davis Street to notify them of the proposed expanded ATV access routes through there, suggesting that some of the ATV club members in town knock on some doors there.
Corey Provencher, president of Riverside Trailriders, said ATV riding is bringing business to town. Being able to park at the Davis Street lot will be easier for ATVers to access downtown.
Councilor Norm Albert said it would be good to give the recommendations a try and make changes, if necessary.
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