LIMESTONE, Maine – Limestone officials passed a revised version of a new ordinance Wednesday that will regulate ATV traffic on town roads.
Earlier this year, the town drafted an ordinance that would have allowed ATVs full access to all roads in town so long as they drive to the extreme right of public way and only use roads to cross “a public way, bridge, overpass, underpass, sidewalk or culvert.”
Before voting, the town needed to submit their proposed ordinance to the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Bureau of Parks and Public Lands Off-Road Vehicle Office to see if the state would permit ATVs on state-owned or state-aided roadways.
But leaders at that office denied that aspect of the town’s request, which means ATV riders will need to use the “500-yard rule” when traveling on Main Street, Grand Falls Road, Access Highway, Van Buren Road, Fort Fairfield Road, Albert Road, Murphy Road and Noyes Road, said Interim Town Manager Alan Mulherin.
Under that rule, ATV riders can travel no more than 500 yards on state roads to go from one trail entrance to another or to get from their own property to a trail entrance, Mulherin said.
“[The Off-Road Vehicle Office] wouldn’t pass our request to the Maine Department of Transportation because they felt the DOT would not approve us asking for 15 miles of access [on the state roads],” Mulherin told the Select Board Wednesday.
Fortunately, Mulherin noted, there are already many trail access points that exist near several of the state roads, so a lack of DOT approval won’t impede the ordinance.
The ordinance also does not allow ATV drivers to ride less than 50 feet from playgrounds or ride near Limestone Community School and the Maine School of Science and Mathematics, unless picking up or dropping off students. In other instances, they cannot exceed 5 miles per hour when passing school buses or vans.
Riders cannot enter cemeteries or go within 200 feet of churches during services. If passing by a church during services, riders are expected to make as little noise as possible.
At Trafton Lake Campground, ATVs cannot operate from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. during the summer camping season.
During all other hours, they cannot ride more than 10 miles per hour in the campground area and 15 miles per hour in other areas. The only exception is for special events, like the Fourth of July, but only for the time period of the event.
Prior to voting Wednesday, board member Irma Labreck questioned the 6 a.m. start time for ATVs during Trafton’s summer season. During the past, campers were told not to make noise until 8 a.m., she said.
“If people take a longer trip, like to Long Lake, you have to start at 6 in the morning. As long as they just start their machines and leave, that’s fine,” Mulherin said. “If they’re doing donuts in the parking lot, we would have to do something about that.”
The ordinance enforces a $250 fine for the first offense of not operating an ATV on public ways according to the new rules. Riders who violate other rules of the ordinance would be required to pay a fine between $100 to $500 for the first offense. Fines would increase with each offense. The town will collect all fees.
In other business, the Select Board tabled a vote on whether to recruit a volunteer road commissioner to oversee road projects for public works.
Currently, Mulherin serves as the road commissioner but has found little time for all road responsibilities, such as posting roads and helping to form maintenance plans, amidst other managerial duties. In addition, Mulherin is designated as the town’s emergency management officer and local health officer.
Board Chairperson Randy Brooker suggested that the board consider bringing on a volunteer road commissioner. Doing so could help the town recruit a permanent manager after Mulherin’s tenure ends, Brooker said.
“It’s hard to find a town manager that can do [municipal] finances and have construction experience,” Brooker said. “The road commissioner basically sets up a plan for what needs to be done first [at public works].”
Brooker also said that perhaps having that type of person could assist the already strained four-man public works crew.
“I have to be honest, I’m not happy with how a lot of stuff didn’t get done this summer. None of the street lines got painted and there are six ditches and culverts [that didn’t get repaired],” Brooker said. “I honestly think they’re overwhelmed and I’m trying to help them out.”
Public Works Foreman Spencer Keiser said he disapproves of the idea.
“I don’t need another boss,” Keiser said, referring to Mulherin. “If you go to other towns, their road commissioner is also their foreman.”
Brooker said the town’s bylaws state that the road commissioner must report to the Select Board, hence the town manager typically assumes those duties. But another person can still serve that role, he said.
But board members wondered if the town could find someone willing to work as road commissioner without receiving payment, despite Brooker saying that he knows two people who are interested. The board opted to postpone the discussion until their December meeting.
The board also tabled a vote on whether to save the current public works garage for equipment storage after employees move to a new garage.
The town is slated to purchase the former Caldwell’s Auto mechanical shop at 72 Long Road due to extensive issues with the current 60-year-old garage on Burleigh Avenue.
The current garage recently lost collapse insurance from Maine Municipal Association and has been deemed a safety hazard for employees. Its support walls are slanted and have begun to crumble, and the roof is also in danger of collapsing.
One idea would involve using the Burleigh Avenue garage to store winter equipment during the summer months, and summer equipment in winter. But the state of the building still left some board members skeptical.
“I’d say demolish it,” said board member Troy O’Bar. “We’re buying them a new building that’s big enough for storage.”
The Limestone Select Board’s next regular meeting will be Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 6 p.m. at the town office, 93 Main St.
