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Residents and business owners ask Somerset commissioners to allow ATV access on Lake Moxie Road
Summary
At a Jan. 21 public hearing, Lake Moxie ATV Club and several local business owners urged the Somerset County Commission to allow ATV access on a five‑mile stretch of Lake Moxie Road, citing safety and economic benefits; the commission scheduled a follow-up workshop Feb. 4.
Commissioner Robert Sezak opened a public hearing on Jan. 21 to take comment on an application from the Lake Moxie ATV Club to allow ATV access on Lake Moxie Road. Ben Towle, the club's trail master, told commissioners that "the benefits of using the road outweigh the risk," noting that other parts of the state allow shared use of roads by ATVs and motor vehicles. Towle proposed lowering a 45 mph limit on a stretch of the road to 35 mph for the full five‑mile segment to improve safety.
Local business owners and property owners told the commission they support road access. Justin Stimpson, who owns the Hawk's Nest restaurant and serves as an assessor in The Forks, said rerouting ATVs onto Lake Moxie Road would cut nearly an hour from travel times for visitors coming from Bingham, Solon and Jackman and would be a "financial benefit" to his and other businesses. Jimmy Doria, owner of the Inn by the River, said improving existing trails would be preferred but that Lake Moxie Road is the most reasonable option given terrain and distance.
Opponents did not appear in person, though commissioners received emails from three property owners citing safety concerns. Chris Fife of Weyerhaeuser said the company neither supported nor opposed the proposal but cautioned that ATVs sharing lanes with logging trucks could create hazards. Sheriff Lancaster said enforcement of violations would fall to patrol deputies and game wardens, and when asked whether a driver's license is required to operate a motorized vehicle on a public way he stated that his understanding of the law is that a driver's license is required.
Commissioner Sezak closed the hearing at 4:07 p.m. and scheduled a workshop on Feb. 4, 2026, for the commissioners to continue consideration of the Lake Moxie Road application.
