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Council narrows ATV speed options citing safety concerns; approves two new patrol officers
Summary
The Fairfield Town Council debated and amended Section 13 of the Public Safety Ordinance on ATVs amid police safety concerns and approved two patrol officer hires; Chief Gould emphasized liability risks and the hires were praised for experience and expected training plans.
The Fairfield Town Council reviewed an amendment to the Public Safety Ordinance, Section 13, governing all‑terrain vehicle (ATV) use and voted on text changes after a safety discussion led by Police Chief Gould.
Chief Gould told the council ATVs lack many motor‑vehicle safety features such as safety glass and airbags and said higher speeds raise liability and safety concerns, particularly for younger riders. Councilor Kevin Kitchin relayed that members of the local ATV club favored raising the limit to 45 mph but said the lack of road shoulders complicates safe operation and suggested a compromise.
Councilor Stephanie Thibodeau moved to change the proposed ordinance language to state a speed limit on public ways of 35 mph or the posted motor‑vehicle limit, whichever is lower; the transcript records subsequent procedural votes. Thibodeau also suggested an alternative compromise phrasing during debate to set a baseline of 25 mph not to exceed 35 mph with caution.
Separately, the council approved two appointments to the Fairfield Police Department. Chair Lawrence moved and Vice Chair Townsend seconded the appointments of Chloe Harmon and Ronnie Blodgett as patrol officers; both motions carried 5–0. Chief Gould praised the hires, noting Harmon will attend the academy in January and Blodgett brings experience from the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office, Skowhegan and Carrabassett police departments.
The council did not adopt any immediate additional operational directives for enforcement at the meeting beyond the ordinance language discussion; police concerns about road shoulders, mixed road users and e‑bikes remained part of the record.
