Staff Writer
A public hearing will be held by the City Council on Monday, June 23 on a proposal to increase all-terrain vehicle access on two public ways so that recreational motorists can have access to gas and food outlets. The hearing will be part of the regular council session at 7 p.m. The proposal includes access on Water Street and Armco Avenue.
“I think it would be very friendly to whoever comes to our community,” said Richard Lagasse of the Caribou ATV Club and Advisory Committee.
Lagasse and Kathy Mazzuchelli, local superintendent of parks and recreation, addressed the City Council earlier this month on the issue.
Lagasse said that if ATV operators ride into the city, there are no accessible places to buy fuel.
Due to continued business and residential development, a local snowmobile access route that was considered for year-round access along Bennett Drive has been closed permanently.
“Attempts to work with the owners of the Skyway Plaza has virtually hit a standstill,” said the committee in its proposal to the council. “Now, the Caribou ATV Club is seeking out alternative access routes to provide visitors and locals alike with an opportunity to get food and gas.”
The Water Street access would use the Lagasse Connector Trail and allow ATVs to travel Water Street from the Broadway intersection to private property and then ascend along that property to Food Trend where food and gas can be purchased.
For the Armco Avenue access, the club solicited landowner permission to extend the Lagasse Connector Trail south to provide access to the Aroostook Valley Trail. This would require travel on private land and access on Armco Avenue to obtain access to South Main Street where the trail would cross and continue toward outer York Street.
Council members voiced support for the plan during the June 9 meeting and voted to hold the public hearing.
