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Commissioners reject one-year ATV access trial for Lake Moxie Road, 2-3
Summary
After extended discussion about safety and state law, Somerset County Commissioners voted 3-2 against a one-year dawn-to-dusk ATV access trial for Lake Moxie Road; commissioners asked Maine DOT to study a lower speed limit regardless of the outcome.
Somerset County Commissioners voted 3-2 on Feb. 4, 2026, to reject Resolution 26-23, which would have approved a one-year, dawn-to-dusk trial allowing all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on county-controlled portions of Lake Moxie Road in The Forks. The motion, moved by Commissioner Don Skillings and seconded by Commissioner Joel Stetkis, failed when Commissioners John Alsop, Scott Seekins and Chairman Robert Sezak voted against it.
Proponents, led by Commissioner Don Skillings, argued a trial could help businesses in The Forks that benefit from ATV tourism and urged the county to petition the State to lower the posted speed limit to 35 mph for the length of the road as part of a package that included investing in redevelopment of the existing trail system. Skillings said he had personally toured the area and believed the proposal could be managed as a limited pilot.
Opponents raised safety and enforcement concerns. Commissioner John Alsop said he opposed opening the road after reviewing current State laws and cited the hazard of mixing logging trucks and ATVs. Chairman Robert Sezak cited line-of-sight limitations, shoulder use and other safety issues and said he could not support access. Commissioner Scott Seekins urged spending on trail repair or relocation instead of opening the road and expressed concern about added burdens on the Sheriff’s Office.
Although the trial was defeated, Chairman Sezak asked the County to request a Maine DOT speed study for Lake Moxie Road to evaluate reducing the limit to 35 mph and to pursue funding for trail upgrades. The administration will send the applicant a report on the decision.
