LIMESTONE, Maine – Limestone’s Select Board will consider a potential ATV ordinance at their next meeting.
On Wednesday, the board conducted a first read of the ordinance and opted to hold a longer discussion at their May 1 meeting, in hopes of including representatives from the Limestone TrailHawks ATV club.
No club members were present last Wednesday.
If passed, the ordinance would allow people to ride ATVs a maximum of 500 yards on town roads as long as they keep “to the extreme right,” only use public roadways to cross “a public way, bridge, overpass, underpass, sidewalk or culvert,” ride at the posted speed limit and do not interfere with traffic. Riders would not be allowed to enter cemeteries.
ATV operators would not be allowed at Trafton Lake Campground from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. during the season when recreational vehicles and campsites are present. During all other hours, people cannot drive more than 10 miles per hour in the campground area and 15 miles per hour in other areas.
People also could not ride less than 50 feet from playgrounds, including Albert Michaud Memorial Park and Trafton Lake’s recreation area. They would be banned from riding near Limestone Community School and Maine School of Science and Mathematics unless dropping off or picking up students at the front entrance. In those instances, they could not ride more than 5 miles per hour or pass school buses and vans.
Board Chairperson Randy Brooker suggested that the ordinance possibly limit public way travel to back roads.
“I don’t know if I want to see ATVs on Main Street but I like the idea of people using back roads to get where they’re going,” Brooker said.
In other business, Interim Town Manager Alan Mulherin announced that Trafton Lake Campground will open for the season May 15. Thirty-four campsites are available for recreational vehicles with 30-amp electrical hook-ups. Rates are $45 per day, $200 per week, $500 per month and $900 for the entire season.
Trafton also has 10 tent sites available for $20 per day, $100 per week, $200 per month or $400 for the whole season.
The town has submitted an application for $4.2 million in congressionally directed spending that would go towards constructing a new “municipal center,” combining the town office, public works garage and school bus garage into one building, Mulherin said.
The municipal center would be located on a 10-acre site near the end of Access Highway and could take around four to five years to complete, Mulherin said.
The next Select Board meeting will be held Wednesday, May 1 at 6 p.m. at the town office, 93 Main St.
