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Groups ask to allow snowmobiles, ATVs on roads By JONATHAN PRATT - BEAVER COVE - The Beaver Cove Board of Selectmen will take up the issue of allowing snowmobiles and ATVs on the town roads at their next regular meeting. The meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 14 at 7:00 p.m. The request was brought to the Selectmen by representatives from both the Beaver Cove Association (BCA) and the North Ridge Association (NRA) at the November 12, 2007 meeting. The Selectmen decided to table the item to further research the town's liability, and to find out if it would be legal for the Board to grant permission to use the roads in the manner requested. They concluded that it would be permissable for the Beaver Cove Board of Selectmen to allow said uses of the roads, due to the fact they were town roads, making it legal for the Board to make such rules as they saw fit. This information was in response to the inquiry made of the Maine Department of Transportaion. The groups are asking for the town to allow recreational vehicles on teh roads due to declining access to trails. "It is becoming increasingly difficult for people to ride from their home or camp to the trail." resident Royce Howes explained, "more and more property owners aren't allowing riders to go over their land." Alan Roberts, member of the NRA, went on to say that some of the property owners aren't allowing people to use their land due to past abuse of the generosity. "I've given permissin to some people to use my land, and they have passed that information on to people that I have not given permission to." The group also presented the Board with recommended guidelines. These guidelines include the observance of speed limits and other traffic laws, as well as limiting the age of riders to 16. The proposal also mentioned that anyone renting their camp would be required to leave written rules for those staying in the dwelling. The rules would also include a trail period of one year for the new access routes. After which time, the Board and members of the town assocations involved could discuss amendments, or if the rule should continue to be in effect. Beaver Cove Association member Bill Manahan explained that the road way would not be considered part of the trail system, moreover, it would merely be access to existing trails in the area.
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