Henniker board directs OHRV committee to craft signage after heated debate over road use

The Henniker Select Board voted 3‑1‑1 on Nov. 18 to direct the town’s off‑highway recreational vehicle (OHRV) committee to develop uniform signage and wording for entrances and exits to the Colleague Pond, Dodge Hill and Hemlock Corner road systems — and to match that language at Liberty Hill — in an effort to reduce through‑traffic and noise from ATVs, UTVs and similar vehicles.

The motion, made by Selectman Blombach and seconded by Steven Dennis, followed a lengthy public hearing in which residents described repeated noise, safety and quality‑of‑life problems on specific road segments. "Off‑road vehicles belong off road," said Alyssa Goss, who said she helped organize a prior petition to limit ATV access. "They're not really safe for road use." Steve Phan, a longtime petitioner, urged the board to rescind the ordinance that permits OHRV use on the listed roads: "Please remove the law that created our problem," he told the board.

Representatives of local OHRV clubs and volunteers — who said they have worked to reroute riders onto trail segments and away from neighborhoods — urged mitigation rather than outright bans. A club representative said the trail network’s interconnectivity depends on a mix of trails and select road links and that the clubs have been directing members to newly reopened trails that should reduce road traffic next season.

Board members and public speakers repeatedly noted legal complexity. The board’s attorney had advised that certain outright closures could conflict with state statutes governing public ways, and select members asked the club and the OHRV committee to craft language that would "dissuade traffic" while not creating an unenforceable or discriminatory sign. The attorney’s suggested wording — along the lines of "local OHRV traffic only" or "trail subject to change" — was referenced during deliberations.

The motion instructs the OHRV committee to propose consistent signage and verbiage and to coordinate with the town attorney and town staff; the board asked for guidance and a follow‑up by Dec. 1. Select Board Chair (role) said the measure is intended as a mitigation step and that the board may revisit stronger action if the signage and education efforts fail to reduce complaints.

The vote was 3 in favor, 1 opposed and 1 abstention. The board recorded extensive public comment on both sides and accepted offers from club members to update trail maps and educate riders. The board emphasized it wants solutions that reduce neighborhood impacts while preserving trail connectivity in the event trails elsewhere close in the future.