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Orwell Select Board reviews proposed ATV ordinance changes; debate centers on permits and enforcement costs
Summary
The board reviewed attorney-suggested revisions to the town's ATV ordinance including language around trails and where ATVs may be operated. Members debated whether permit fees should be collected and who should administer them, and sign and sheriff costs were raised.
The Orwell Select Board reviewed proposed edits to the town ATV ordinance at its Dec. 8 meeting, focusing on where ATVs may be operated and whether the town should impose permits or fees.
Chair Andrea Treadway summarized the lawyer's suggested revisions and noted some provisions were redundant with state statute. Proposed changes include removing the phrase "legal trails" from Section 4a and clarifying Section 4m to list roads where ATVs are not allowed, including stretches of VT Route 73 and all of VT Route 22A, plus Pearl Road and the Sewer Plant Road.
Board members discussed adding a permit requirement under Section 5. Andrea noted the lawyer's advice that the town is not liable if it collects permit fees and suggested the Town Clerk could handle collection of permits, insurance evidence and registration. Mike Christian said he was concerned about burdening the Town Clerk with paperwork that would primarily affect law-abiding users and suggested clubs typically handle permits. Rick Buxton proposed appointing a dedicated person to administer permits rather than assigning the work to the clerk. Andrea said she would ask the lawyer whether permit-collection language is necessary and whether someone other than the Town Clerk could collect fees.
Members also noted that new signage and increased sheriff involvement to enforce any new rules would carry additional cost. The board did not adopt ordinance language at the meeting and directed follow-up with the town lawyer and further discussion at a future meeting.
