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Select Board opens Molunkus Road and High Street to ATV access after club’s petition; police raise safety and insurance concerns
Summary
Skowhegan’s Select Board voted to amend the traffic ordinance to designate Molunkus Road and High Street as ATV access roads, following presentations by the local ATV club about economic benefits; the police chief expressed safety concerns and the board asked staff to report back on insurance and liability details.
The Skowhegan Select Board voted on June 23 to amend Appendix 1 of the town’s traffic ordinance to allow ATV access on Molunkus Road (Cornville line to Route 150) and High Street (municipal parking lot to North Avenue). The motion was made and approved after public comment from the local ATV club and board discussion of signage, enforcement and insurance.
Joanna Melody, president of the local ATV club, told the board the club had launched a passport program linking riders to downtown businesses and that early rider traffic has yielded visible spending downtown. “We’ve had ATVs in town this weekend. There was a bunch of them at Alice’s Sunday morning enjoying Father’s Day breakfast,” she said, describing the economic activity.
Police concerns and town follow-up: Police Chief Bucknum told the board he is worried about ATVs operating on public ways and the potential for accidents; he said he felt “blindsided” when first contacted about the state approval, though the record shows prior discussion. Board members asked the club to coordinate signage with the town and state road crews and asked staff to return with an insurance and liability briefing.
What the ordinance change does: By approving Molunkus Road and High Street as access roads, the board extends ATV connectivity into town so riders can reach downtown businesses without trailering; town staff said the state will provide and install signage in some areas and the road commissioner will deploy signs in the urban compact.
Insurance and liability: The club representatives said the state and clubs carry insurance (they described a $5 million policy the state holds for clubs and club‑level coverage) but could not provide granular answers about crash scenarios on access roads. The board asked the ATV club to provide documentation and for staff to research how uninsured‑motorist claims and property damage would be treated on town access roads; the Select Board did not delay the vote for that research.
Access conditions and limits: Town staff clarified that some private‑lot access (for example, riding through a store parking lot) remains restricted and that riders must follow speed and traffic rules on public roads. The board asked the club and police to monitor incidents and report back should enforcement or safety measures be needed.
Ending: The ordinance amendment passed by voice vote. Staff were assigned follow‑up homework: confirm signage plans with MaineDOT/road commissioner, obtain written insurance coverage details from the club and the Maine ATV Coalition, and return to the board with an insurance/liability briefing.
