ATV Club wants use of public road

To the Editor:

The X-tra Mile ATV Club asked for and received permission to use sections of road. After making contact with all affected residents, in person or with a notice of our intent along with contact numbers and cross copy to the chief of police, town manager and select board, with no negative feedback, our select board voted 5-0 in favor to approve. So we went to work building over one mile of new trail with all volunteer labor and donations from two local contractors and gravel pit owners and equipment from a local rental company.

The new trail connection opens and shortly thereafter two residents had issues/complaints. One resident’s issues were quickly resolved by the club. The one remaining resident’s issues/complaints have not been resolved. We went to see them and asked what could be done. We were told not to ride ATVs on their road. The complaints they listed were:

1. ATVs made their house shake. (???)

2. ATV riders were speeding, driving unsafely and drinking. (At the direction of the select board and the club’s full support, the Paris Police and club officers spent two weekends observing and patrolling as well as the warden service and police department doing spot patrols. To date, there is one violation for expired registration — no speeding, no unsafe operation and no alcohol charges or warnings.)

3. The noise is unhealthy. (ATVs with proper exhaust are not louder than most vehicles and not nearly as loud as the diesel truck these people drive every day.)

4. The latest complaint is ATV riders look at them when they pass by. (Excuse us for watching where we are driving and enjoying the scenery and, yes, even giving a friendly hello wave if someone is out. Most people smile and wave back.)

5. We are invading their privacy. (This is a public road and if complete privacy is a concern of someone, they build or buy off in the woods or erect a fence — just my thoughts.)

If the trail could be rerouted it would be but with current land uses in the area and small lot sizes, the only option at this time is on the public road.

We have promised to reroute the trail in the future if an alternative becomes available.

We never have and never will pressure a private landowner. However, this is a public road and the vast majority are not opposed.

Mark R. Stearns

South Paris