Concern for Proposed Town of Mount Holly ATV Ordinance
On Tuesday Dec 13th at 7:30PM at the regular Selectmen’s meeting there will be discussion in
advance of the possible signing of a new town-wide ordinance for use of ATV’s on Town roads
by the Selectmen. In a previous survey, town residents responded against an ATV ordinance
allowing ATV use of Town roads. So this is, at a minimum, a contentious issue that should be
voted and not forced upon (requiring petition to change) the resident citizens of Mt Holly
First off, we happen to enjoy ATV’s ourselves for off road use but we happen to live on a road with a history of ATV abuse. Currently the ATV’s are not technically allowed yet the enforcement (other than citizen enforcement) is almost impossible because the constable has to catch them in the act. We have to gate all private roads from our property to keep ATV’s from entering because signs don’t work or people can’t read. We have had ATV’s by our house at all hours of the day and night including doing donuts in front of our house. Other places on our road have been rutted to the point of being dangerous by constant high speed turn-arounds by ATV users. There are 2 blind hills on our road and ATV drivers are not as elevated or visible as regular road vehicles and can’t hear an oncoming car over their own noise. The problem is really with plenty of non resident users unfamiliar with town regulations.
Our town gravel roads have minimal shoulders, blind hills, challenging enforcement and as rural as we are, plenty of population density compared to other towns with ATV ordinances. No ordinance like this should be enacted without consideration for proper posting, enforcement and liability, all at a potential cost to the town taxpayers for what good reason? Even with all ATV’s traveling at “appropriate reduced speed” it really is not smart to mix additional forms of traffic with vastly different speeds on the same travelled surface, particularly operators that can’t hear other closing vehicles. Most of all though, without strict enforcement, one can only anticipate the real nuisance factor of uncaring or ignorant expanded ATV use of our roads.
We he have no issue with agricultural use or exemptions knowing that it would be a stretch to think of Mt Holly as an agricultural community, at this point. Therefore, the impact of agricultural use would be minimal and likely is already accepted without an ordinance.
If you have had similar experiences or have similar concerns, please make it a point of attending the Dec 13th meeting to voice your concerns before this is enacted without your input. Help get the word out too.
Brett Wright & Sandra Predom
First off, we happen to enjoy ATV’s ourselves for off road use but we happen to live on a road with a history of ATV abuse. Currently the ATV’s are not technically allowed yet the enforcement (other than citizen enforcement) is almost impossible because the constable has to catch them in the act. We have to gate all private roads from our property to keep ATV’s from entering because signs don’t work or people can’t read. We have had ATV’s by our house at all hours of the day and night including doing donuts in front of our house. Other places on our road have been rutted to the point of being dangerous by constant high speed turn-arounds by ATV users. There are 2 blind hills on our road and ATV drivers are not as elevated or visible as regular road vehicles and can’t hear an oncoming car over their own noise. The problem is really with plenty of non resident users unfamiliar with town regulations.
Our town gravel roads have minimal shoulders, blind hills, challenging enforcement and as rural as we are, plenty of population density compared to other towns with ATV ordinances. No ordinance like this should be enacted without consideration for proper posting, enforcement and liability, all at a potential cost to the town taxpayers for what good reason? Even with all ATV’s traveling at “appropriate reduced speed” it really is not smart to mix additional forms of traffic with vastly different speeds on the same travelled surface, particularly operators that can’t hear other closing vehicles. Most of all though, without strict enforcement, one can only anticipate the real nuisance factor of uncaring or ignorant expanded ATV use of our roads.
We he have no issue with agricultural use or exemptions knowing that it would be a stretch to think of Mt Holly as an agricultural community, at this point. Therefore, the impact of agricultural use would be minimal and likely is already accepted without an ordinance.
If you have had similar experiences or have similar concerns, please make it a point of attending the Dec 13th meeting to voice your concerns before this is enacted without your input. Help get the word out too.
Brett Wright & Sandra Predom
Dear Members of the Mt Holly Select Board:
ReplyDeleteThe Wilderness Community is an association of over 60 property owners in the vicinity of Lake Ninevah in the town of Mt Holly in Vermont (although a few of the properties are in the town of Plymouth). The elected Board of Directors of the Wilderness Community reviewed the proposed ATV ordinance at its meeting on December 5th and voted unanimously to oppose this ordinance.
Part of the mission of the Wilderness Community is to maintain the unspoiled environment in, on and around Lake Ninevah. As part of the deed restrictions of all members, ownership of ATVs is prohibited. Allowing ATVs to be driven on Lake Ninevah Road or Sawyer Hill Road would be a safety hazard and would unnecessarily disrupt the peace and tranquility of the area.
We urge the Mt Holly Select Board to reject this ATV ordinance and consider instead measures to encourage better access for hikers, bicyclers, snowshoers, and cross country skiers.
Board of Directors of the Wilderness Community, Inc.