MINOT – The owners of Hemond’s Moto-X park told the Planning Board Tuesday night that they intend to file for a site application permit with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to extend the track at their operation off Old Woodman Hill Road.

The off-road motorbike track came under fire last summer when a group of area residents complained that noise emanating from the track exceeded limits set in the town’s noise ordinance.

In response, Donald and Serae Hemond undertook measures intended to lower noise levels and promised to keep the Planning Board informed concerning ongoing efforts in that regard.

Eric Grondahl, a professional engineer from Norway hired by the Hemonds, told Planning Board members that one of the options under consideration is lengthening the track.

“We’re looking into extending the track eastward. The effect of this would be to spread the riders out. Beside spreading the noise source, it would also make it safer for riders,” said Grondahl.

Extending the track would push the area occupied by the track above the threshold that automatically kicks in the need for a DEP site application permit.

The existing track takes up just under 15 acres – the DEP threshold – of the more-than-500 acres the Hemonds own in the area between Woodman Hill and Center Minot Hill roads.

Grondahl said he has identified the final corner of the track as the noisiest. It is the point where racers throttle-up for the run to the finish and, as they do so, the noise is blasted in a generally northwesterly direction – toward some of the track’s more vocal critics.

This could be, Grondahl said, a good spot for a well-raised berm and perhaps a fence on top as well.

In addition to addressing the noise question, Grondahl said the DEP likely will be most interested in a storm water plan, particularly for the parking area, to insure that proper erosion control and sedimentation plans are in place.