LISBON

The town of Lisbon is considering allowing more access for all-terrain vehicle riders in town.

In the wake of a property owner no longer allowing access for riders, councilors are considering allowing ATVs to come off the trails and use a portion of Wing Street to travel down Route 9 to the Route 196 intersection.

“This is a workaround,” said Town Manager Diane Barnes. “There’s a property owner that no longer allows access. They wanted to connect the trail.”

Councilors have set a public hearing on the change for their next meeting.

Councilor Fern Larochelle raised the prospect last month.

“Last year the ATV club had come forward and put a plan together to get access into the downtown and get gas and stuff,” Larochelle said. “I think it would be a good opportunity to connect our town, to get people downtown.”

Lisbon and its riders aren’t alone in trying to create more access for ATVs. Area clubs typically work with landowners and municipal officials to link trails and create more places to ride.

Don Parlin, president of the Topsham Trailriders, said talking to property owners is a big part of his position.

“I speak with landowners about allowing access,” he said. “If there’s an issue with a rider, I’ll talk to them about it. It’s important — without landowners permission you don’t have anything.”

Parlin has traveled to northern portions of the state where towns allow more access to downtown and public areas, and would like to see that catch on in other parts of the state.

“The southern part of the state is a little bit behind,” he said. “I believe it could be done. When people have access, they also stop and shop and check out the town.”

To achieve improved access, Parlin believes teaching young riders about responsibility is important. It’s been a quiet season in Topsham so far, he said, and he hasn’t had to field complaints from property owners. When he does, often it’s not a rider that belongs to a club.

“Usually there’s one or two jokers that do something they shouldn’t and upset a landowner,” said Parlin. “It only takes a few to ruin a relationship.”

For towns considering adding an access route on a main road, he said there should be signs and possibly a speed reduction. In Lisbon, the police department will be part of the planning process and councilors have discussed adding signs.

Parlin hopes more towns in southern Maine will be receptive to ATV riders and trails, and he has an ideal vision for his ATV travels.

“My dream is to be able to leave Topsham and go all the way up to Rangeley.” said Parlin.

The public hearing on the ATV ordinance — which currently allows access routes on public roads from June 1 through Oct. 31 — will take place Aug. 14.

chris@timesrecord.com

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