ATV talks bearing fruit

PARIS -- Town leaders decided to delay a decision on ATV public road usage, after hearing that a series of meetings between interested parties is making progress on the issue.

"I think if progress is being made, I would hate to be forced into a vote tonight," said Selectboard Chair Ray Glover "If you put us to a vote, you may not get the result you want."

The board voted to table the item until January 10, at which time it will decide whether to allow ATV use on a stretch of Parsons Road.

The board considered both ruling on the issue in December, and tabling the item indefinitely, pending agreement.

Selectman Ted Kurtz said that he was concerned that "there might be some difference of opinion about whether it's settled...I think we ought to just set the date."

The issue became divisive after several residents on Parsons Road attacked the selectboard for granting ATV usage.

The most vociferous complainant has been Parsons Road resident Jim Hakala, who claimed that the noise was loud enough to shake the walls of his home.

"Personally, I think it's important for the two parties, the ATV people and the citizens who live on the Parsons Road, to determine whether or not it's been settled," said Sect board member Jean Smart. "I think it's more important that they do that than we do that for them. Now, the point may come at which we will have to make that decision one way or another, but I trust that they are making an honest effort to solve this."

Smart referred to efforts by X-tra Mile ATV Club (XMAC) representative Mark Stearns to successfully reroute their traffic to avoid the residence of the Hakalas.

I would like to see a date set," said Stearns. "We've worked on the issue for some time. We have made some headway. We can't put penny one or hour one into it until we know what we've got from the town."

The Hakalas were in attendance, and did not voice any opposition to the delay.

Smart, who attended two of the meetings, wanted to set the date for December.

"In the spirit of that last meeting, I would like to suggest that we consider this at that first December meeting. If they haven't been able to solve the issue yet, then let's decide it in January," said Smart.

The measure to revisit the issue in January passed by a four to one margin, with Smart opposed.

The board asked Town Manager Phil Tarr to host a series of meetings to try to reach an agreement between the ATV enthusiasts and the property owners. He has reported that the meetings have seen progress, and that the group was scheduled to meet again on December 1.

Earlier in the summer, the board agreed to allow ATV usage on a handful of public roads earlier in the summer, after the XMAC submitted a request.  Portions of East Oxford Road, Parsons Road, Hall's Pond Road, Durrell Hill Road, Elm Hill Road, and High Street were affected by the change, but Parsons Road is the only location that has caused an outcry.