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Residents, riders debate ATV and side-by-side use on Tinmouth roads as selectboard plans information meeting
Summary
An extended public-comment period produced sharply divided views on a proposed ordinance to allow four‑wheel ATVs/UTVs on town roads: landowners warned of trespass and erosion on Vermont Land Trust parcels while riders and a proposed club model argued for safer, family-friendly access. The selectboard scheduled an informational meeting and discussed placing a question on the November ballot.
A long public-comment period at the Tinmouth Selectboard meeting focused on a proposed ordinance to permit four‑wheel ATVs and side‑by‑sides on certain town roads and how the town would enforce use and protect private land.
A resident who identified themselves as a neighboring landowner said conserved property on Wright's Road is protected by the Vermont Land Trust and urged strict limits on motorized recreational use. "ATVs are limited to, 82 decibels, and that's equivalent to heavy city traffic," the resident said, citing noise comparisons and warning that unauthorized machines have caused erosion and property damage.
Speakers supporting limited road access emphasized mobility and family recreation. Scott Lepley, who said he has used an ATV to access remote family property, said the machines provide mobility for residents with limited walking range: "My walking range is limited to probably about a 100 yards," he said, describing why a side‑by‑side can be a practical, sometimes necessary tool.
Other commenters said modern side‑by‑sides are substantially safer than motorcycles and that club registration and signage would deter bad actors. John Buckles, who described converting a UTV to be street-legal, argued that many owners have invested heavily in their machines and are unlikely to "do stupid crap." "I think you'd rather hear my side by side go down the road than my Harley Davidson," Buckles said.
Selectboard members and proponents described a club-based model tied to VASA (Vermont Association of Snow Travelers) rules: registered vehicles, club stickers, proof of insurance and penalties for violations. Board members proposed hosting an informational meeting in June or July to present draft language and said a ballot question could go on the November ballot if language is ready by early August. "We can get it on the ballot for November," a selectboard member said during the discussion.
Board members and residents also raised enforcement and access issues: whether dead‑end roads should be included, who would pay for enforcement, and how to prevent machines from accessing private land. Several landowners said many conserved parcels explicitly prohibit recreational motorized use, and speakers urged the town to coordinate maps of conserved properties before finalizing any ordinance.
The selectboard directed staff to schedule an informational meeting and asked proponents to produce road lists, maps and any landowner permissions the board should review. Members discussed proposing a one‑year pilot if voters approve an ordinance.
What happens next: the selectboard will schedule the public information session and publish the draft ordinance language and road list ahead of any vote; a vote was discussed for the November ballot if the wording is finalized by early August.
